I am a huge fan of hiking while on vacation. Basically, everywhere I have ever traveled I have done some type of a hike. These adventures have left me with amazing memories. From short hikes in city parks all over the world, to the top of mountains, to historic military forts, I have seen SO MUCH from adding a day of hiking into my vacation plans! I urge you to do this on your next trip! Here are five big reasons why you should hit the trail on your next vacation.
- Hiking is free.
Traveling is expensive. You not only have accommodation and transportation costs, but you also typically end up spending a lot of money on activities. Hiking is a great option for a free day full of fun! While some hiking, within state and national parks, will come with a fee for a day pass, you can always find free hiking trails. Many of my favorite trails have actually been just on the outskirts of national parks.
- Hiking is healthy.
While traveling people typically eat out a lot, stay up late, and drink more than usual. I know I am guilty of all these things. Adding a dose of healthy into the plans is always a great idea! The fresh air is refreshing and rejuvenating and will certainly boost your mood. You will likely feel proud of yourself for getting out and doing something healthy on vacation, which is always a great feeling.
- Hiking presents excellent photo ops!
Being in nature generally comes with beautiful opportunities for photos. Many hikes lead to beautiful places or beautiful overviews. You will see something you would have not otherwise seen on your vacation. You will also likely have moments of privacy (if it matters to you) to set up photo timers/take selfies or whatever you please! Also, along hikes there are always fellow hikers happy to take photos for each other.
- Hiking relives stress.
While vacation shouldn’t be stressful, it sometimes is. Hiking is a very healthy form of stress relief. Adding a day of hiking in the middle of your vacation is a great idea to burn off any stressful energy. Sometimes you won’t even notice you are anxious or stressed but after a hike you will just “feel better” it’s just simply great to get outside and get moving!
- Hiking is a great solo or group activity.
Hiking can be done solo or with small group, or large group. It is what you make it. Choose a short or long hike, choose a hard or easy hike. With hiking, the possibilities are endless. It is a very customizable activity and that makes it a perfect thing to add to any vacation.
While there are many more reasons than this, these are the top five that come to my mind! What am I missing? What do you love about hiking on vacation? I love hiking and I am always looking forward to my next adventure, wherever it may be!
Much Love & Happy Travels,
Lacey
25 Comments
Hiking on vacation is my favorite! You get to see stunning views only accessibly by foot, seeing animals scurry past are exhilarating, and the fresh air and movement feels amazing after being stagnant on an airplane or in the car. 💙
January 30, 2017 at 10:39 amYes. Yes. And yes! Love it! ❤️
January 30, 2017 at 10:31 pmGreat post 🙂 I totally agree with the reasons you mention. For me hiking is the most rewarding vacation activity!
January 31, 2017 at 12:19 amI totally agree! ❤️
January 31, 2017 at 4:05 pmHiking is definitely good for reducing stress and for your overall mental health too! I read about a study done by Stanford where they noticed when people spent time in nature, there was a decrease in rumination (how they termed negative thought patterns related to guilt or embarrassment) and neural activity located in areas of the brain associated to mental illness, as opposed to spending time in an urban setting. Sorry to get all nerdy with ya, haha! Great post and thanks for sharing! 🙂
February 1, 2017 at 5:50 pmHaha! No need to apologize! I love it! Super interesting!!! 👍🏻 Thank you!
February 1, 2017 at 6:31 pmHiking is awesome! You get to see so much more
February 14, 2017 at 2:40 pmYes! I agree! The best!
February 14, 2017 at 2:49 pmWhile nothing new needs to be said here about the health benefits of hiking, I have been able to see, share, and have some amazing experiences on just about any, and every hike I’ve ever gone on. Just last year here in Michigan, close to home, I was in a small area of woods connected to a park. I was studying a berry on a bush that I wasn’t familiar with when I got a strange feeling. I glanced over my shoulder and thought I saw a deer laying down by a tree. Alas, it was only a fallen over tree stump. So returning to gazing at the berries, a few minutes went by and that…feeling returned. Again I glanced over my shoulder, and this time beside the fallen over stump stood a mature doe deer. Just looking at me, grazing a little, not alarmed at all what so ever that there was a strange human in her woods! We visited for a good few minutes and then she casually went on her way, looking over her shoulder one last time as if to say, “Hey, see you tomorrow?” We were only 50 feet apart the entire time! Sorry comment is so long. Thanks, V.
February 14, 2017 at 3:18 pmI LOVE hiking! It’s a satisfying physical activity and you are so right about the photo ops. It’s easy to take a break and really get a good shot.
March 29, 2017 at 4:38 pmYes! I love all the photos I get hiking! Most of my favorites!
April 3, 2017 at 2:44 pmWow you really did get some awesome shots for this one! I do love hiking, i just can never find company that wants to hike as well. It always feels like a mini adventure but I prefer to do it with company. You are so right about the beautiful photo ops and the health benefits. Maybe i should consider some solo hikes. Thanks!
March 29, 2017 at 4:39 pmI prefer to hike with friends or family too! But short solo hikes in areas I’m familiar with are great too! I wish you luck finding a hiking buddy or I hope you find time to enjoy a few short hikes yourself =)
April 3, 2017 at 2:43 pmThis is amazing, I would love to try hiking and I’m really planning to start doing so, I always had this wish, but tbh never did that!! I love to have contact with nature so it would be grat!
March 29, 2017 at 6:19 pmYes! Do it, it sounds like you would love it!
April 3, 2017 at 2:42 pmI love hiking and the bigger the better, especially love multi-day hikes. I am always looking for the next bike hiking adventure!!
March 29, 2017 at 6:27 pmI agree! I am always looking ahead to the next big hike too! I would like to venture into more multi day hikes, it’s been a long time since I have done one!
April 3, 2017 at 2:42 pmI love hiking, so you wont have to tell me twice to get out and experience nature. It is really amazing to connect with nature.
March 30, 2017 at 9:01 amYes! LOVE it!
April 3, 2017 at 2:40 pmVery true! I always go hiking with my family, it’s sort of a tradition. We’ve gone hiking in the South of France, Grand Canyon and in the mountains of Panama! I always associate it with my childhood. But you’re right, hiking can also be a relaxing solo activity!
March 30, 2017 at 6:22 pmI love hiking with friends and family, but yes a lot of people enjoy it solo! Sounds like you have done some amazing hiking!
April 3, 2017 at 2:40 pmBeautiful photos! I’m totally with you on hiking and in fact, I’ll often plan trips around two things: hiking and photography. Sometimes I don’t feel confident going as a solo traveler on longer treks so occasionally, I’ll book a tour with a company like Intrepid or G Adventures so that I’m not completely alone on longer hikes in a foreign country.
March 30, 2017 at 11:39 pmVery cool! I have never done a solo hike, besides something small near my home! I’m afraid of animals! haha! So I tend to want to travel with at least one other person! =) Going with a company is a great idea!
April 3, 2017 at 2:39 pmThese are awesome reasons! I love hiking and try to include some type of hiking on my trips too. It gives you a strong sense of a place as well and connects you to it. Love your list and photos!
March 31, 2017 at 10:49 amI agree! I always love a good hike, so refreshing! Thanks for reading!
April 3, 2017 at 2:37 pm