If you're anything like me (i.e. a laid-back homebody who'd rather spend days off relaxing), your image of hiking probably matched what mine was a few months ago. That image being: a physically intensive, potentially dangerous outdoor activity that requires specialized, expensive equipment and spending a few days and nights camping and roughing it out in the wilderness.
I'm here to tell you that it doesn't have to be like that. Hiking can just be a nice, relaxing, but effective exercise that takes half a day and lets you appreciate the sights and the peaceful calm of nature.
Disclaimer: Like the title says, I'm a beginner with a grand total of 4 hikes under his belt. I'm overweight and a homebody, but I've been going to the gym regularly, so I'd say my fitness level is average at best. That being said, I have had zero injuries or issues of any kind during said hikes. If I can do that, I'm a sure a large portion of people can as well, with the right amount of preparation.
1. Plan a route
First you want to plan a trail to hike, ideally something that 'loops' back to where the beginning of the trail is. If you're just starting out, you might want to pick a trail with minimum to no elevation, and something with a distance of around 3-5 miles. If you're really nervous about picking any particular trail, or if you're afraid you won't have the endurance to finish the whole hike, just pick a trail in a suburban area. These usually have almost no elevation, and you're close to civilization and cellphone signal in case something happens.
I'd recommend you use the AllTrails app:
App store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/alltrails-hike-bike-run/id405075943
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.alltrails.alltrails&hl=en_US
This app's fairly intuitive to use, and lets you see all the trails near you. It's got useful information about the trails, like how long the distance is,how much elevation there is, the 'overall difficulty' of the trail, and some user reviews. You can also record yourself as you go on the trail, and it will let you know how far you hike and how long it takes you to complete the trail. It then also verifies that you completed the trail, which you can use to brag to your friends.
The only thing the app isn't good at is showing the specific locations for a trail's respective parking space. In that case, you'll need to go to that park's respective website for more information (yes, the parks do usually have their web pages). Sometimes a park can have multiple entrances/parking lots, depending on how big the park is, so make sure to pay attention to that.
The app's free for the most part. If you want to download the trail map for offline use, then you'll have to pay a subscription fee, which is around 2.50/month. I've never had an issue of the map going offline however, but this might vary depending on where you decide to hike and what the cell signal is like in that area.
2. Pack some supplies
For a half-day hike, I'd say you only really need water, an extra shirt, a face towel, your phone (with a mobile charger), and some healthy snacks. If you want to be extra safe, bring some band aids, some antibiotic ointment and other first aid kit necessities. Remember, you want to bring the necessities, but you don't want to end up carrying too much that your back starts to hurt after a while. You're gonna be bearing that burden for the whole hike, after all.
You can also bring a hiking stick to help you get some footing during uphill and downhill slopes. I personally haven't felt the need to get one, but a friend was kind enough to lend me an extra one during one of my hikes, and it helps. You can get one off of Amazon for around 20-30 bucks.
3. Wear the right gear
You'll want to wear something that covers your knees and elbows to account for any potential trips or scratches from any pointy plant life. Other than that, dress according to weather. You should know your cold/heat tolerance more than anyone.
With footwear, the theory is that the shoe should have a thick enough bottom to protect your soles from the rocky terrain, and deep enough treads that you can gain enough traction and footing as you go up or down particularly steep slopes or tricky terrain. Obviously, the best solution is a pair of specialized hiking boots. But that costs money. Some rubber shoes with decently thick treads should suffice, based on experience. Obviously, don't pick a trail that's particularly difficulty and has a bunch of steep inclines. Pay attention to a trail's reviews to get a general sense on what the path is like.
4. Bring a friend
You're gonna be out there in the middle of nowhere for a few hours, so you might as well bring someone you can talk to. A hiking veteran would be ideal since they can show you the ropes, but this would be a good chance to bring along another like-minded and equally hesitant homebody friend.
If you're an introvert and you'd rather spend that time alone, I'd recommend bringing a friend for the first time anyway. Once you have a clearer idea of what you're doing, then by all means, trek in solitude.
5. Take your time, and enjoy!
Remember, it's not a race. Take your time, pace yourself, and stop for breaks as much as you need to. What matters is you finish the trail, unharmed, and you enjoy the sights around you.
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If you were on the fence about trying out hiking, I hope this changed your mind! We all need a little exercise anyway. Why not relax and enjoy nature while you're at it?
