There are many different reasons to hike. It’s one of the primary activities we like doing in our free time and while it can often be difficult, it can be a rewarding activity which we know benefits us in a variety of ways.

Seven Reasons to Hike: One of our Favorite Hobbies

1. It’s a Cheap (or Free) Activity

This is a big one for us. We like to do what we can to keep our spendings low and save money where we can. In general, while we aren’t going to rule something out because it costs money, we appreciate free and low-cost activities. This is true both at home and when we are traveling. 

It’s also something you can do with friends where you can have fun without breaking the bank (though a long drive or high entrance fee can make it more). 

On that note, while it is often free – there can be some costs associated with it. These include:

• Gas to get there. On our recent trip to Minnesota, we stayed at my Uncle Kurt’s house. His family has hiking trails leading away from their backyard. Not all of us are so fortunate to have something that close. Here in San Jose, California, Kyle and I are lucky to have some great hikes within a 15-20 minutes drive from us, though (like Santa Teresa). Still, sometimes we venture farther and those hikes cost more in gas. The cost of gas can really add up, especially here in California where gas prices tend to be relatively high for the country. 
• Wear and tear to the car. This is particularly an issue for repeated longer trips on mountain roads. For those with a rental car, this may be less of a concern but you would have the cost of the rental in that case. Some places, like South Korea, you can get to a mountain for the cost of a cheap metro ticket. 
• Entrance fees. Some parks have an entrance fee, generally anywhere from $5-$30, most often $10-$20 (per car). 
• Parking fees. Typically parking fees and entrance fees are actually pretty synonymous and the price is in about the same range as above. I’m not sure we’ve ever encountered a place which required us to pay for entrance and parking. When it’s just a parking fee we usually try to park further out to avoid the fee but occasionally it cannot be avoided. All in all, the great majority of places we go do not require any fee to enter or park but some places (such as national parks) almost always require a fee. Those fees help maintain the parks. 

2. Healthy for the Body

One of the more obvious reasons to hike is for the exercise. In general, staying active is good for your health. There are many physical health benefits of hiking. It can really be a workout and thus comes with the typical benefits of exercising such as improving cardiorespiratory health, lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke, slowing bone loss, helping with blood pressure and so on.

Hiking can also build strength and improve balance. Even if you take it easy or the trail is flat, it is still beneficial for your health. Walking can be a whole body workout and is considered one of the best exercises you can do for your overall health. 

3. Healthy for the Mind

Hiking is not only good for your physical health but it can be good for your mental health as well. There are two main contributing factors to this:

1. It’s a physical activity.
2. It takes place in a more natural setting.

These two things can have a positive impact on your mental well-being.

Both physical activity and going out in nature can sometimes aid in combating stress, anxiety, and depression, and can also help with other mental processes like improving attention span and memory. Some research suggests that being outside could increase creativity and problem-solving. For older adults, being active on a regular basis can help decrease their likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s or dementia (or at least delay it) as well.  

4. Beautiful and Different Sights

Not going to lie, this is probably one of the main reasons to hike (for us). The fact that it’s low cost/free just means we’re more likely to do it and the other benefits are like a bonus which encourages us even more but a big part of it for us is to see nature’s beauty. Plus, because we’re not doing it purely for the exercise we don’t necessarily think of it as exercise, which is the best way to exercise I think! It definitely feels like it at times, though.

Whether it’s a dense forest or a sweeping vista overlook, a waterfall or wildlife, it’s great to get out and see what earth offers, including both the bigger picture views along with smaller details we encounter like flowers, plants, insects. Every place has something a little different to offer. The United States has some gorgeous scenery and we are thankful for that but have also enjoyed trying hiking in other parts of the world.  Plus you can get nice pictures 😜. 

5. You can Personalize It

Long or short. Steep or flat. Slow or fast. Easy to moderate to difficult. There and back or a loop. A peak climb, a forest trek, an open space hike, or a trip to a waterfall. There are so many different places and ways to hike. While we like to vary it up, most people can find something to suit them. Some areas may be more limited in what they have to offer but for many places, within a moderate distance, there is some level of variation in options if you look for them. 

6. Helps You Slow Down

Stop and smell the flowers. While it can feel like some hikes have a particular destination in mind, a lot of it, like life, is about the journey. We have seen people who just want to hurry through the hike but we think it’s best experienced stopping to take breaks as you need, stopping to look at things which look interesting. Of course, everyone has a different style but getting back in touch with nature and its ways seem like a positive thing to us. 

7. Unplug 

Today people, including us, spend a lot of time “plugged in.” We’re on computers all day working and also use screens for many other tasks like reading, studying, and communicating with others. All day, every day is pretty much spent staring at screens. It can be nice to finally get away from that for a little bit.

All in all, most of these benefits and reasons to hike do not come specifically from hiking, but more out of a combination between being outside in nature and being active. If you can’t hike, just walking carries many benefits. We try to make sure we get a good walk in every day if possible. Living in the bay area, hiking makes a lot of sense as a hobby for us but even if we didn’t live here we’d like to go out and walk on the beach or in parks, etc. 

Hiking is basically a free workout with some nice views. Just remember to stay hydrated and on the trail. 

Don’t Go Unprepared Though!

Now, hiking can range a lot in terms of difficulty and style. Some could be better thought of as a stroll in a park, while others might better be considered trek through the mountains. Regardless, there are some great products to help you enjoy yourselves a little bit more while out in the woods.

*Note that we are members of the Amazon Affiliate Program and will receive compensation through for any valid purchases linked through our site.

• Hiking Poles – When hiking steep terrain, loose ground, or any place you might slip, you want extra support. With collapsible poles, you can adjust it to your specific needs. Trekking Poles
• Headlamps – Headlamps are easy to forget about, but we have used them many times. It’s a hands-free item to keep you safe. Foxelli Headlamp Flashlight
• Collapsible Water Bottles – These are some of our favorite items to carry with us, and not just on hikes! They’re super light-weight, carry a liter of water, and most importantly are collapsible. Once you’re done, you can just roll it up and store it away.
• Hiking Shirts –  Kyle recently started using this on our hikes, and it proved to be a great success. He isn’t much for wearing collared shirts – or nice clothes in general (smh) – but he found this shirt to be very comfortable and lightweight. For him | For her
• Water Bottles – Collapsible Water Bottles – These are some of our favorite items to bring with us. They’re really light-weight and you can also roll them up so you can store them away easily. If there is one item that is most important to bring with you, it is water.
• Hiking Shoes – Wearing the right footwear will make sure that you have sure-footing and dry feet, no matter where you step. For Him | For Her
• Raingear – I really like this jacket because it’s light enough to wear without getting hot, but if it’s cool out it will keep you from getting chilled. It also folds into itself making it very easy to carry or pack. For him | For her
• Water Filters – There are few things worse than getting lost and running out of water. These drinking straws allow you to safely drink straight from the source. LifeStraw Personal Water Filter
• First-aid Kit – You really need to be prepared for anything when hiking, which means you need to be prepared for injury. We don’t often get hurt, but we have. You never know what could happen so you should always carry a basic first aid kit to be able to patch up whatever may happen. First-Aid Kit
• Sun Screen – If you don’t cover up with clothes, then you should wear sunscreen. High altitude exposes you more to the sun, and the chill air can be misleading. TSA Approved Sunscreen
• Bug Repellant – Bugs that bite can be found most anywhere. These wipes serve us well and they are small enough to fit in your carry-on! Off! Deep Woods Towelettes
• Bear Spray – Walk wilderness trails long enough and you will run into a bear at some point. We’ve come across bears before, and while we haven’t been bothered by them, it only takes once to matter. Be sure to carry bear spray, not pepper spray, to ensure you’re safe while out in the woods.