Hiking: a Great Summer Activity

Hiking is a great summer activity. Hiking is one of the best outdoors exercise there is for the price. You don't need expensive/special equipment. No need for a specific level of physical condition/stamina or invest too much money in it. Hiking its fun, easy, price effective and can also be educational.

There are basic guidelines when it comes to hiking but nothing too complicated or expensive.

Before deciding on going hiking make sure you have someone to go hiking with. One of the most important rules in hiking is never go hiking alone. Even when hiking can seem completely safe, and for the most part it is, you could pass out because of over heating, get lost, sting by a bug, etc. So it's very important to have someone that can look for help, take a look at your injury or get the stinger off of you. Besides it is more fun to have someone to share the experience with.

After getting your hiking partner or group ready, pick a location depending on your preferences. Are you interested in wildflowers? Do you like lakes or rivers? Is wildlife what you are looking for? Or just some exercise? Internet is a great source of information. My favorite page for National Parks is www.nps.gov/ and for State Parks just search for State Parks on your favorite search engine. Once you are there and find the park that catches your attention, the site will have a description of the Park, a list of the amenities, a map, the fees (usually ranging between 3 to 15 dollars per person depending on the park and the amenities they have), do's and don'ts and any other specification they find useful or relevant. On their site it will be a description about the level of difficulty of the hiking trails. There are some parks that have hiking trails that have the conditions for people with handicaps whether they are others that because of the terrain only advance hikers can take the trail.

Once you find the park that sounds a good fit for you. Read carefully about the wild life and flora. This will come in handy when deciding what to wear. Parks that have Poison Ivy growing everywhere you should pick to wear maybe pants or longer shorts, if the hiking trails are under trees maybe a hat wont be as necessary as if you go on a trail that is bare. As a basic gear you should have comfortable clothes (adequate for the weather), a pair of comfortable durable shoes. There are some people that love hiking boots, for others they couldn't be more uncomfortable. When selecting your footwear have in mind that you are going to walk for a long period of time and that the terrain will vary, you may encounter mud, rocks, water, and even clay.

Remember to use sun block, especially if the hours that you go hiking are between 9 am and 4 pm, and if the trail is bare of trees. Bring plenty of water; you do not want to overheat. Bug spray is necessary; also remember not to wear any type of perfume as the "sweet smell" attracts bugs.

Hiking is not a competition or a race. Use your own pace. If you are hiking with a partner, the stronger one should go first when hiking up a hill, so he can help the other one. Every time you take a step make sure that your foot is firmly set before taking another one. Twisting ankles are the number one injury when hiking. It is important to know your limits and listen to your body. If you feel like you need to rest, stop and sit down, part of hiking is also enjoying the view and the sounds of nature. Look for birds and wild flowers, or just enjoy the fresh air and the outdoors.

Stay in the trail at all times. When you enter the park you should ask for a map of the park, bring the map with you to know where you are at all times. Do not wonder far from the trail or the park amenities (i.e. bathrooms, benches, camping sites, etc). Respect the wild life. Animals can look cute or harmless but they are wild animals and could attack you out of fear. You never now what is going on with an animal it could be hurt or just be trying to protect its babies.

Most importantly have fun. Bring partners that have your same mind set and want to get out of hiking the same kind of experience that you do. If you want to go hiking to be able to be outdoors and look at the pretty flowers and wildlife but go with someone that only wants exercise you may get into a situation where neither of you is satisfied with the end result.