We get asked a lot by new readers and hikers: is hiking a hobby?
Yes, hiking is a hobby! In fact, hiking is one of the best hobbies you can take up because it’s low-cost, adaptable to different fitness levels and age groups, and has countless physical and mental benefits.
Although it may sound like it, hiking is not a sport! We’ll expand further on why hiking is such a great hobby as well as some tips on how to start hiking as a hobby below.
Benefits Of Hiking As A Hobby
Hiking Provides Excellent Exercise
Hiking is a great form of both aerobic and anaerobic exercise which means that hiking burns fat as well as builds lower body muscle strength and has cardio benefits like increasing your endurance.
Hiking Is Budget Friendly
Hiking is free or very cheap to get started, making it very accessible.
There’s no gym membership needed, and most trails are free to access to the public.
Just like any hobby, the deeper you go the more gear-crazy you can get, but for anyone new to hiking, all you need is to dress properly and bring some supplies that you probably already have at home.
The most important piece of hiking gear you’ll need is some hiking boots, but if you are getting started on short and simple trails or paved surfaces, almost any shoes will do for now.
If you’re curious about hiking boots, check out our guides to how should hiking boots fit, the best men’s hiking boots under $100, and the best women’s hiking boots under $100.
Hiking Is Open To Everyone
Hiking doesn’t require training or for anyone to be at peak physical shape, so almost anyone can get started regardless of their age or fitness level.
This makes hiking a great shared hobby among families and friend groups.
If you are planning on hiking with little ones, there is some essential gear you’ll need.
Check out our guides to the best hiking strollers, best kids hiking gear, and best kids waterproof hiking boots to make sure your tykes are trail-ready.
Reconnect With Nature
There are so many distractions in our modern world that we rarely have time to get outdoors and truly focus on just enjoying the natural beauty around us.
Hiking allows you to slow down and get some time away from your screen while soaking up the sights, sounds, and fresh air nature has to provide.
Hiking Provides Huge Mental Benefits
In addition to being an excellent option for physical exercise, hiking has countless mental benefits too.
Hiking stokes creativity, decreases the chances of depression, and reduces stress.
You Meet New People When Hiking
The hiking community is full of like-minded people who are friendly and helpful, and you’ll notice this when you encounter others on the trail.
Socializing is a key part of overall happiness and the human experience, and what better place than to do it outdoors with a beautiful backdrop!
There’s Tons Of Hiking Trails And Scenery To Explore
One great thing about hiking as a hobby is that you’ll never run out of places to do it at!
Most hiking newcomers are shocked to find just how many hiking trails are available to them locally, and the best part is that the scenery changes as you hike in different seasons.
You can even try night hiking to get an entirely new perspective on a familiar trail.
Beyond your local area, there are incredible hiking trails in National Parks across the U.S. and in other countries to explore as well.
You Can Hike Solo Or In A Group
While most hobbies are either singular or group-focused, hiking can be either.
This is nice because hiking allows you to decide whether you want to hike alone or with others, making it very flexible and convenient.
Hiking Inspires Your Sense Of Adventure
Hiking is an excellent way to explore a new place whether close to home or when traveling.
Nothing comes close to the sense of adventure you feel when starting your hike on a trail you’ve never been on before, and it really helps you to learn about the local trees, wildlife, and plants where you’re at.
Hiking Translates Well To Other Outdoor Hobbies
Hiking is a great hobby on it’s own but also is a key part of other exciting hobbies like speed hiking, backpacking, mountaineering, and camping, making it a translatable skill that’s very versatile.
How To Start Hiking As A Hobby
So now that we’ve covered what makes hiking such a great hobby, let’s walk through some basics of what you’ll need to follow when starting hiking as a hobby.
Find A Hiking Trail Near You
You’ve got to find a trail before you can hike it, so take a look at local county or state parks near you for some suggestions on hiking trails.
Most park-maintained hiking trails are free from any crazy obstacles or water crossings and have clear trail markers and well-worn paths, making them great for a first hike.
Take a look at each park’s website to learn about trail conditions, the trail length, and the difficulty rating ahead of time so you’re well prepared.
Take The Right Gear And Supplies With You
You don’t need to look like someone who’s going on a two-week backpacking trip if you’re going on a 2 hour hike, but you should be adequately prepared.
At minimum, bring some snacks, water, comfortable socks, hiking footwear, and a fully charged smartphone.
Use a backpack you have at home for now to store all your stuff to keep your hands free, and if you start hiking more you can consider upgrading to a lightweight hiking daypack.
Depending on the weather, consider bringing along some other items like sunscreen, a first aid kit, and an extra pair of socks if you have room in your bag.
Check out our guide on the best way to carry water while hiking for some good ideas on how to bring enough hydration for those longer trips.
Grab Proper Hiking Footwear
As we covered earlier, you can use just about any type of shoes or sandals you want on very simple and flat hiking trails, but the longer or more difficult terrain that you hike, the more you’re going to need footwear that can stand up to the demands of the trail.
Not only will your feet be able to take you farther on the trail, but you’ll also be protecting them from injury or blisters and supporting your ankles as well, which is critical on uneven terrain and going up or down hills.
There are many types of hiking footwear available, so read through our guides on hiking boots, hiking shoes, and hiking sandals to see which one appeals most to you.
We suggest hiking boots for folks who are new to hiking as they offer the most support and protection.
Dress Appropriately For Hiking
Think of the weather and outside temperature when picking out the clothes you’ll wear hiking.
If hiking in spring or summer when it’s warm weather, pick breathable materials that will keep you cool (kind of like clothes you might wear to work out).
If you’re hiking in cooler weather, check out our guide on what to wear hiking in fall for some great suggestions.
Either way, we do not recommend hiking in jeans or 100% cotton shirts.
Denim and cotton are not breathable and dry slowly, so the moisture from sweat will stick to your clothes making you uncomfortable during your hike.
Take Safety Precautions
Safety is paramount when you’re hiking or doing any wilderness activity.
Follow these safety tips to ensure your hike goes smoothly:
- Stay on the trail
- Hike in a group if possible
- Take it slow
- Take breaks as needed
- Let someone know where you’ll be going and when you plan to return
- Check the forecast
- Bring bug repellent or bear spray if either is a concern where you’re hiking
If you’re hiking at night, you’ll need to take extra precautions, but we suggest sticking to day hikes while you’re starting out.
Practice “Leave No Trace” – The 7 Principles Of Hiking
These principles were originally developed for backpackers hiking into remote areas, but also apply every bit to hikers on established trails:
- Plan Ahead And Prepare
- Travel And Hike On Durable Surfaces
- Dispose Of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts (Be Careful With Fire)
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate Of Other Hikers
Following these principles will minimize your impact on nature while hiking and ensure the trails stay a great place to visit for other hikers for years to come.
Tips To Make Sure Your First Hike Goes Great
Now that you’ve got your supplies and other gear rounded up, follow these tips to make sure your first hike goes off without a hitch.
Plan Your Trip Ahead Of Time
Check your intended trail and the county or state park website if possible for notes about trail conditions, and check a map to see if there are water crossings or any other topographical features you should be aware of.
Consider the length of your hike and travel time to make sure you don’t hit any snags with your schedule and to ensure you’re back before sundown.
Lastly, check the trail’s difficulty rating and make sure it’s appropriate for your hiking skill and gear level.
Check The Weather
You don’t want to get caught in rain or snow without the right protection, especially on your first few hikes!
Check the forecast for the area you’ll be hiking in to make sure the weather will be great for your time on the trail.
If you’ll be hiking in winter (which we don’t suggest as an initial hike) make sure you have weather-appropriate waterproof boots and hiking gloves.
Don’t Overdo It
As exciting as hiking is, we don’t advise selecting a 10 mile hike up to a scenic waterfall for your first outing.
Pick simple and relatively flat trails, and keep the length of your hikes short at first to make sure you don’t extend yourself beyond your physical limits.
Take Your Time And Enjoy The Scenery
Slow down and soak up the sounds and sights that nature has to offer on your hike – after all, that’s why you’re here!
Take pictures of your travels to remind you why you started hiking and as motivation to get you back out on the trail next time.
Leveling Up Your Hiking Skills
If your first hike went so great that you can’t wait to hit the trail again, here are some things to consider so you can go deeper into hiking.
Try Longer Hikes Or More Difficult Trails
Start exploring familiar trails at longer distances or try tackling newer trails with higher difficulty ratings as your skills progress.
You’ll find that there are great rewards in both!
Invest In Better Gear
Before you start hitting the big trails, your feet need to be properly protected, so consider leveling up to some good hiking boots.
We’ve put together some great guides on the best men’s hiking boots under $100, the best women’s hiking boots under $100, and the best hiking boots for flat feet if you need some easy suggestions.
Plan A Group Hike
If you have family or friends that are interested in joining you, now’s the time to invite them along!
Hiking can be an awesome social activity and you can choose your next trail together.
Try Out Backpacking Or An Overnight Hike
Once you feel confident in your ability to tackle tougher trails, you can branch out to backpacking and camping overnight on your hikes to add some new challenges and variety.
These are great ways to see new places and experience the outdoors at a deeper level than you can by only doing day hikes.
Train Your Body For Hiking
If you are trying to get in better shape for the challenges that harder hiking trails have to offer, consider a training plan to get you there faster.
We’ve put together some great guides on exercises to give you explosive power when hiking uphill, how to train for hiking on a treadmill, how to prepare your knees for hiking, and how to prepare your feet for hiking.
Check out these articles for some great hiking fitness prep information.
FAQs About How To Take Up Hiking As A Hobby
Initially, hiking costs nothing to get started because you can use many of the supplies you already have at home! At minimum you’ll need shoes, socks, a backpack for snacks, and a water bottle to get started (which are items most people already own).
As you get deeper into the hobby of hiking you will want to invest in some hiking boots which can be found brand new for less than $100, but any additional gear is optional.
Thrift stores or online marketplaces like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Mercari are all great places to find inexpensive new or used hiking gear that will save you tons when getting started with hiking.
Nearly all hiking trails (especially in county or state parks) are free, but national parks sometimes charge admission.