This is the eighth post in the 10 Cheap Adventures That Anyone Can Have series.
Hiking is another of the free adventures that anyone can go on. You may not be able to hike far, or wide, but you CAN get out and explore your surroundings. Discover what your local park has to offer. Find out where those trails you drive by go. Search out new places.
What You Need
You! – It’s hard to hike without being there!
A Place to Go – This is the primary requirement for a satisfying hike. It can be somewhere that you’ve never been, or a familiar favorite. Depending on how much time you have available, and what kind of mood you’re in, you can choose to hike through your city, through a local park, or find a trail at a nearby state park or national forest.
That’s it! You don’t need anything else to go hike and enjoy nature! After all: “It’s just walking, don’t over-complicate it.”
Stuff You Don’t Need, but Might Want to Take
If you’re like me, and a lot of other folks, you probably want a more extensive list, however. So here are a few more things that you might want to consider taking. You have all of them already, so it’s just a matter of deciding what you want to take.
Probably – Some Footwear – But that’s not necessarily true. Wear whatever you have available that’s comfortable to walk in. Personally, I’ve worn flip-flops, army boots, running shoes, and occasionally gone barefoot. I generally have my running shoes on, so they see the most action.
Water – It’s easy to forget your water bottle, or just not feel like carrying it. However, a nice, refreshing drink of water can be priceless during a hike. Something so simple as a water bottle can make a hike vastly more enjoyable.
Camera – You can never tell when you might run across a good photo opportunity. I don’t do a good enough job of always carrying my camera, but I do try. Keep your eyes open and you will discover many great photos and make some great memories.
Sunscreen – If your trail keeps you in the sun, you might want to consider protecting yourself.
A Map – Even if you know where you’re going, it’s always a good idea to have some more information available. Just in case.
While there is plenty more that I could list, this is a good place to stop. This covers the basics for any hiking that is nearby. If you’re heading out into a larger area, there are more items that you might want to carry, for safety just-in-case-reasons.
Enjoy your hike. And don’t forget, it’s just walking!