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Why Hiking Should be Your New Favorite Hobby

Hobbies provide personal enrichment and stability in our lives. Some hobbies tap into our creative nature. Some help us become more social by meeting like minded individuals that partake in the same activities. Some help us get into better shape. Hiking is the type of hobby that can provide all of the above and then some. Here are reasons why hiking should be your new favorite hobby.

By: Electra Keller + Save to a List

1. Hiking is good for your heath and helps get you in shape.

What better reason to start hiking on the regular than for the heath benefits it brings? Hiking is good for the heart and great for your respiratory health. Hiking is a great cardio routine and a perfect "leg day" alternative to the gym. 

2. It's a great stress reliever 

It is scientifically proven that 30 minutes a day of walking helps relieve stress. Many trails take anywhere between one hour to several hours to complete. That means there is even more time to clear the mind. 

3. It gives you a chance to connect with nature

Getting away from the hustle and bustle of the everyday grind and connecting with nature is a great way to center oneself. There is nothing more beautiful than the various desert, mountain, and cliffside landscapes to look through while enjoying a peaceful walk.

4. It's a fairly inexpensive hobby.

Let's face it, most hobbies are really expensive. Learning an instrument is a huge investment. The instrument itself costs a good amount especially if you buy a higher end brand. Then there are lessons, sheet music, accessories, maintenance and so on. That's nothing compared to other hobbies when it comes to cost. Classic car collector, motor cross rider, and wine maker are just to name a few of awesome yet very expensive hobbies. Obviously the more you get into a hobby the more money you will invest into said hobby and that goes for hiking as well. However, the start up cost for taking up hiking as a hobby is fairly inexpensive. When I started hiking I made sure I had decent shoes and clothing. That's pretty much it. Over time, I invested little by little in better shoes, a good sized hydration pack, maps and more. 

5.  The hiking community is strong and friendly.

I've never met a friendlier bunch of people than I have on the trails. The various hiking groups I've joined on Facebook and follow on Instagram are all very encouraging and inspiring. It feels like a second family.

6. It's great for all skill levels.

You don't have to be a pro to hike all the time. There are so many trails out there that vary from easy to difficult. When I first started hiking, I started with shorter and easier hikes. After a while I started doing longer hikes and then gradually started hiking more intermediate level hikes until I finally was comfortable hiking more challenging ones. The point is you don't have to be an expert to hit the trails.

7. It's fun!

Hobbies, if anything should be fun. It is afterall our time away from our "responsibilities".


We want to acknowledge and thank the past, present, and future generations of all Native Nations and Indigenous Peoples whose ancestral lands we travel, explore, and play on. Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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