Just getting your feet wet with hiking? Here's some essential hiking 101 tips for beginners to help you hit the trail with confidence - from hydration to the gear you do & don't need to how to pick a trail.
There are so many mental and physical health benefits of hiking. It can help you get into better shape, reduces stress, and even improve brain power. If you’ve read my story you know that hiking helped me lose 30 pounds, build self-confidence, and was the start of my relationship with the outdoors. Now, 15 years later, it’s why I’m so enthusiastic about encouraging you to get outside. And it’s also the reason I wanted to make this Hiking for Beginner’s 101 guide with all of my best hiking tips easily accessible to you.
When you are first starting out hiking, we recommend choosing trails that are in line with your current fitness levels. Of course, hiking is a way to kick-start your exercise routine and get in shape, but if you pick a trail that is way above your pay grade, you won’t enjoy it and might never hike again. We will talk more about how to find the right hiking trail in a bit, but prior to your first hike, doing some physical preparation and establishing a healthy awareness of your body will help grow your confidence as a beginner hiker.