Hiking is a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside.
After lockdown eased during the summer I moved to the Lake District to spend time with my family. This is when I started hiking the Wainwrights with my sister Laura and her dog Poppy.
Wainwrights are the 214 English peaks (known locally as fells) located within the Lake District which many walkers try to get to the top of or ‘bag’. We have been Wainwright bagging for the past six months and so far we have completed 54 Wainwrights.
Here are my top 10 benefits of hiking
1.Improves overall fitness, and builds muscles
Hiking builds overall strength and flexibility. Hiking uphill firms the calves and downhill hikes strengthen the quadriceps.
2.Encourages weight loss
Hiking is a great method of losing those excess pounds from the lockdown cooking, baking and snacking. Hiking burns about 400 calories in only one hour and it has the potential of burning even more calories when you hike in challenging areas like hills.
3.Boosts stamina
When practiced over a long period, an aerobic exercise like hiking assists in boosting your stamina and encourages treatment of natural fatigue. As we increased our hiking distance we found the uphill becoming much easier over time.
4.Reduce stress
The current lifestyle that many people live is very hectic and stress causing. Hiking is a great way of relaxing and spending some time with nature. Hiking in natural and beautiful surroundings helps to calm both the mind and body. You can hike it at your own pace and ability.
5.Strengthen relationships with family and friends
Hikes are a fun and an inclusive way to spend time with your family and friends. As many of our hikes are between two to eight hours you find plenty to talk and laugh about.
6.Improves sleep
All that fresh air and exercise is bound to aid a good night sleep.
7.Strengthens bones
Hiking assists in increasing bone strength and density. Regular hiking is known to slow down the rate at which calcium is lost in the body, therefore strengthening bones and reducing their likelihood of breaking.
8.It helps you unplug
Hiking can help you relieve stress, anxiety, and tension by increasing the natural endorphins released in our bodies. Because the workout takes a lot of energy and effort, you will feel more relaxed when you return home. It can also help reduce your stress by forcing you to unplug from your phone and laptop.
9.It’s cheap!
Hiking is an inexpensive sport. All you need for hiking is some water and good walking shoes. If you are parking in a National Trust car park there are parking fees. The fells trails are free and so too is the fresh air and the amazing views!
10.Makes you happier
Being out with nature allows you to reconnect with the earth, something which I find exceedingly calming and also ensures that you return home with a clear, fresh mind and a good mood.
Hiking is one of the most natural, fulfilling things we can do. It puts us back in touch with the nature and the great outdoors, it gives us a chance to exercise, bond with loved ones, and just breathe a bit.
If you have not hiked before, now is a better time than ever to start. It is one of the safer activities to do during the pandemic. I have personally found hiking to help me cope with the stress of everything going on. It has been an essential part of my well-being.
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