Why Should You Go Hiking?

Going to a gym carries its own problems: it costs money, and anxiety around looking out of place is common if you aren’t as fit as you’d like to be. All this, on top of the many distractions and activities you can partake in (watching TV, playing games, web surfing etc.), it can be hard to stay committed to a boring and stressful exercise regimen. It’s called a ‘workout’ because it feels like work to a lot of people.

Are there any alternatives to the gym? Definitely. Walking is something that most physically-able people can do quite easily, and it can be incorporated into your daily lifestyle. Cycling is also an option if you need to cover more ground in less time. However, walking around the town can get dull after a while, and that’s when the great outdoors beckons you.

Hiking is more a recreational activity than those three, which alleviates the boredom that many experience while exercising. It’s a nice middle ground between low-intensity aerobic exercise like walking and more strenuous exercises like running. Aerobic exercise slowly burns the glucose in your bloodstream, and eventually progresses to burning fat, both preventing the absorption of fat and burning it away, and hiking is one of the best ways to lose weight over time.

However, hiking is above all an relaxing activity. It’s one of the least risky exercise activities you can get involved in, and it gets you back in touch with nature after a busy week at the office. There’s no age limit to hiking; anybody able to walk can hike, and you’ll frequently see other hikers ranging from old to young. If you live near the countryside, there’s a public footpath not far away. There’s also a significantly lower price barrier to hiking compared to gym membership or getting involved with sports: all you really need is some sturdy boots, and the nearest hiking spot is likely only a short bus or train trip away.

Hiking can help you in many ways: physically, through exercise: mentally, through a sense of achievement and the alleviation of built-up stress: and financially, through its low entry fee. There isn’t much of a reason to not hike if you’re physically able to, so why not start now? North Yorkshire Three Peaks is dedicated to giving both novice and experienced hikers a challenge through the North Yorkshire 3 Peaks Route: Taking you over 3 of the highest peaks in Yorkshire – Pen-Y-Ghent, Ingleborough & Whernside – in the space of a single day. 24 miles in 12 hours.