So how do you get started? What’s preventing you from getting outside and taking that first hike: Time, money, gear, skills? Even if you’re a complete outdoor newbie, or someone who has trekked for a while, perhaps this will help.

One of the first issues to tackle is where to go. Start with easy trails. A mile or two at first; maybe just some walks around town, graduating to woodsy trails when you feel your conditioning has developed enough to tackle uneven terrain.

Regardless of the town you call home, there are local trails for the beginner as well as the experienced. Call your chamber of commerce, state forest office, or yellow pages outfitter. The information is free.

Get your body in decent shape by walking and doing some gentle stretching. Regularly being out on a easy trail will also help you get into shape. Don’t push yourself at first. You can do the tough stuff later when you are in good shape.

You may feel like you’re not in good enough shape to go hiking, especially if you decide to go with friends who’ve been doing it for a while. You may be right, but you don’t have to be capable of running a marathon or be a serious athlete.

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You’ve got your hiking boots on, your worries left at home and a trail in front of you. You’re surrounded by dense nature, no sounds of buses or chatter, just the calming sounds of birds singing and a breeze whistling through the trees. You can feel the sun on your skin, you fill your lungs with perfectly fresh air and can smell the environment around you. All the while you feel warm and alive from this therapeutic, whole-body workout whilst you move through the natural world. Welcome to the world of hiking.

Hiking really is an incredible thing: medicine for the mind, body and soul. An activity you can do in almost any place around the world, for no cost and for pretty much any length of time. Besides the personal benefits, the time spent in the wilderness can also help people value and appreciate their surroundings, ultimately leading to more sustainable lifestyles. It’s something so good scientists, politicians, magazines and newspapers are constantly singing its praise.

Basically, no matter who you are, where you live or what you do, hiking will be an incredible addition to your life, but sometimes it’s hard to know where to start.

In this guide to hiking for beginners you’ll learn…

What is hiking?
Benefits of hiking
How to plan and prepare for a hike (incl. picking the right hike and how to find the best trails)
What to pack hiking
What clothes to wear hiking
Hiking foods and water
Hiking safety tips
What to do post-hike
How to stay green and respectful on the trail