Thinking about getting into hiking? This is one of the greatest hobbies that you can take up as it is good for your mind, body, and soul. Hiking can be a great low-impact form of exercise, you can enjoy spending time and conquering nature and it can also be either a solo or social hobby. It can also be daunting to get started, so this post will offer a beginner’s guide to help you get started.
Destinations
You are spoilt for choice for hiking destinations all over the UK. When getting started, you will want to choose areas that will not be too challenging and then gradually work your way up. Scafell Pike is a popular hiking spot as the highest mountain in England at 978 meters – it is found in the Lake District, which is a superb place for hiking with trails for all abilities. Snowdonia National Park is another great option spread over 823 square miles and Snowdonia is the highest mountain in England and Wales at 1085 meters. The Jurassic Coast is another popular choice with breathtaking coastal scenery and a chance to explore Devon’s amazing geological history.
The Essentials
There are a few essential items that you will need before getting started with hiking to improve comfort, safety, and performance. Perhaps most important is having a pair of hiking shoes that will offer superior grip, support your feet and be non-slip. Hiking can take its toll on your feet, so you want to make sure that you have decent footwear that will offer protection.
In addition to footwear, you also want to make sure that you have a waterproof backpack that will allow you to carry everything that you need. This should be a backpack with multiple sections and enough space for the gear that you need to take with you. Speaking of gear, you will also want to have a reusable water bottle, a torch, headlamp, map, sun protection, and a utility knife. It is also a good idea to have a first aid kit and to know how to use it in case you or anyone else has an accident.
End Point
Hiking is a thrilling and rewarding experience, but part of the experience is returning home after a challenging hike and chilling out. Having the luxury of a holiday caravan to return to can greatly improve your hiking experience as you can then get cosy at home and play games, order a hearty takeout and chill out watching a TV series or film.
This post should be useful to anyone that is thinking about starting hiking as a hobby. Hiking is a fantastic hobby that can improve your life in many ways, but it can also be daunting to get started with so this post should help.
