{"id":15197,"date":"2022-11-30T15:40:12","date_gmt":"2022-11-30T20:40:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vacayou.com\/magazine\/?p=15197"},"modified":"2025-07-21T16:35:33","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T13:35:33","slug":"hiking-for-beginners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vacayou.com\/magazine\/hiking-for-beginners\/","title":{"rendered":"Hiking for Beginners: Your Essential Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hiking is simple, but if you\u2019re just starting, it can be intimidating. Here is our definitive guide to hiking for beginners<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s nothing like experiencing your first hike. From the crisp fresh air and bright green scenery to listening to the harmonious chirping of birds\u2014the freedom of hiking is addictive.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As your feet pound the dirt trail to epic lookout points, it\u2019s nearly impossible not to feel intense bliss and boundless potential. Finding this sacred outdoor (and mental) space encourages you to trek further and push your boundaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But what if you don\u2019t know what those boundaries are? What if you\u2019re new to braving the outdoors? If you find yourself nodding \u201cthat\u2019s me,\u201d don\u2019t worry. I get it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Growing up in a suburban city in Southern California, hiking wasn\u2019t a thing, no matter how captivating nature was. Yet, at the same time, the outdoors always beckoned. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Courtesy Ciara Turner-Ewert<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Can anyone else relate to this call of the wild? In fact, you may even recall actress Reese Witherspoon answering this call in the 2014 movie Wild<\/em>, as Witherspoon (who portrayed Cheryl Strayed) hiked the Pacific Crest Trail to find herself, encountering various challenges both physically and mentally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Believe it or not, the intimidation factor of the outdoors is real. It can happen to beginner hikers, especially those who are women and members of the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I can honestly say this was the biggest hurdle in overcoming my fear of the outdoors, but now I\u2019ve visited over 15 national and state parks and have become an adventure travel coach who helps others brave the outdoors. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Seven Hiking Tips for Beginners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The outdoors are for everyone, and hiking is one of the best ways to explore. With any new endeavor, it\u2019s important to build your knowledge (we\u2019re talking about you, hiking) so you can feel confident and well-prepared. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s talk about the best ways to prepare for your first hiking trip. Here is my definitive guide to hiking for beginners. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Understand there are different types of hikes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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When it comes to hiking, it\u2019s important to understand that there\u2019s no one-size-fits-all approach. Hiking is a catch-all term as there are many different types of hikes that people can engage in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Probably the most well-known are day hiking, backpacking and thru-hiking. Day hiking refers to completing a hike during the day, hence the name. It\u2019s an excellent way to explore the vast wilderness by day and relax in your comfy bed by night. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Backpacking is when a hiking excursion involves overnight camping in nature. People may sleep in a tent, hammock or right beneath the stars on a semi-cushy sleep pad for camping. This typically lasts a day or even months. Backpackers often return the same way (or similar) they came. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thru-hiking follows the same principles as backpacking, with overnight stays and camping. There is one caveat, though. You hike in one direction. This means that you\u2019ll be hiking massive distances from the start of the trail to the end of the trail (or something in the middle). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rewind to Witherspoon\u2019s hiking venture, and this is exactly what she did as the Pacific Crest Trail is famous for thru-hiking. The Appalachian Trail is another famous end-to-end trail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other forms of hiking include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n