Step Onto the Trail: A Beginner’s Guide to Easy Hiking and Smart Gear
Hiking doesn’t have to mean climbing huge mountains or trekking for miles with a heavy pack. At its core, hiking is just walking on natural paths instead of sidewalks. If you can walk around your neighborhood, you can start hiking —with a little planning. The goal when you’re new is not to push your limits but to enjoy being outside, learn how your body feels on uneven terrain, and get comfortable with basic gear and trail habits. Once you understand that it’s okay to start small and go slow, hiking becomes a lot less intimidating and a lot more fun. Picking a Beginner-Friendly Trail Choosing the right trail is one of the biggest secrets to enjoying your first hikes. Look for routes labeled “easy” with short distances—often under three miles round-trip—and minimal elevation gain. Check trail descriptions and recent reviews to see if the path is rocky, root-filled, or very steep. A shorter but steep, rocky trail can feel way more challenging than a longer, mostly flat one. As a beginner...