How To Choose Your First Or Next Hike
Whether you are just getting into hiking, or you have
been an avid hiker your entire life, choosing your next hike can be a difficult
process. With so many trails to choose from, it can help to simply consider
some attributes to narrow down your options. This article aims to explain what
beginners or experts should be considered when picking their next hike, as well
as lay out some tips for finding your best next hike.
What To Consider When Choosing A Hike
Location
Of course, location plays a major role in the decision
to your next hike. If you are located in close proximity to many hikes, your
options widen significantly. If you aren’t looking to travel far, set up a
radius that you are willing to traverse with your trekking poles. Consider
far away hikes as options for camping trips, or long weekend getaways, and
reserve your closest hikes for times when you have less time, or just aren’t up
for the travel.
Distance
Do you want to be hiking 15+ miles in a day, or are
you looking for a couple of miles just to get outside for a bit? I know this is
obvious, but just setting up a range of hike distances will drastically narrow
down your hiking options. Don’t forget that a 5-mile hike with 3,500 feet
of elevation gain is likely going to take a lot longer than a 10-mile walk in
the woods.
Difficulty
If you have little experience with hikes that have
large amounts of elevation gain, you may want to consider holding back on a
larger mountain. If you are new to the mountains, be looking for beginner to
intermediate level hikes.
The difficulty is adjusted by three main factors,
distance, elevation gain, and steepness. Be sure to consider all of these when
determining the difficulty of a hike. Beginners should choose shorter
hikes that offer the option for continuing to other viewpoints, mountains, or
longer alternate routes back. If you feel great, continue.
Avid hikers often want to make sure they are covering
heavy mileage and elevation gain. If this is the case, don’t go for the tourist
trap, take advantage of the some of the longer mileage and less traveled hikes.
Season
In many areas of the planet, hiking in the winter is
vastly different than hiking in other months. It can offer unique and
incredible views, turning rugged trails into smooth powder, or easy trails into
icy and dangerous messes.
It is important to understand that in the winter, the
gear and preparation necessary to stay safe is very different, so much more
caution should be taken.
Newbie winter hikers should start with smaller and
shorter mountains to get used to hiking in the snow. Even experienced hikers
should take caution with winter hiking.
Your Fitness Levels
Fitness plays a major role in the hikes you can
complete, and the time necessary to complete your hike. Some individuals can
finish long distance hikes in half the time as others. Knowing where you stand
on a fitness level will help greatly.
Most trail guides give a “book time” which allows you
to understand how long a hike will take for the average person. As you begin to
hike more, compare your times to book times so that you can better estimate
your personal hiking times on trails in the future.
Scenery
Don’t forget about choosing a hike with the scenery
you want! Do you want 360-degree summit views? Lake Views? Waterfalls? If you
are looking for great views, maybe you don’t want to select a mountain with a
summit in the trees.
The Best Ways To Find Your Next Hike
After you have considered all of the above, it is time
to actually search.
1. Facebook Groups
Once you have narrowed your location down, search for
local Facebook hiking groups. There is a lot of them, and they are for just
about every area with hiking that you could imagine. Let them know how far
you’d like to go, some sights you’d like to see, and your ability level, and
many of these individuals would be happy to help you out. As a bonus, nearly
all of the hiking guides in the area will be in these hiking groups and looking
to help.
2. Hiking Guides
Contact a local hiking guide service. Most will be
happy to give you advice, and one of the best ways to find the right hike is to
get a hiking guide. They are the local area experts and deal with beginners all
the time. Plus, they will have things you may need to rent.
3. Google Search
Give a classic google search for hikes in the area.
Add a modifier to your search (easiest, best, waterfall hikes, etc.) You’ll
find some larger websites as well as local blogs. Explore both in your
research.
4. AllTrails
AllTrails (www.alltrails.com)
is a great website/app that you can search over 300,000 trails with trail info,
maps, detailed reviews and photos curated by millions of hikers, campers and
nature lovers like you.