Why I Think Everyone Deserves to Hike This Weekend

Getting outside and reconnecting with nature is just what the doctor ordered.

I’ve been self-isolating this week. As a confessed introvert slash eighty-year-old stuck in a thirty-year-old’s body, I didn’t think a week at home would be anything I couldn’t handle.

Boy, was I ever wrong.

By day three, I was already missing the warmth of the sun on my face. Ultimately, I realised what I want to do above anything else when I can go outside again: go for a hike.

Outside is good for us.

I’m not surprised that this is what I’ve craving most out of this isolation period. The research shows us pretty clearly that this is to be expected.

Plenty of research suggests the Japanese practice of forest bathing, or “Shirin-yoku”, can have a range of positive health impacts.

Time in nature has been associated with lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, lower pulse rates and lower blood pressure.

Green spaces can also help to lower our overall levels of anxiety.

With many of us working from home, we all know the toll it takes on our mindset. Unable to shift into a more relaxed gear because the lines between home and work have been blurred for many of us, it seems we need time in the great outdoors more than we ever have.

Why I like to hike

Hiking, or even just a quiet walk by the seafront, vastly improves my moods. Sometimes neighbourhood sounds, even in a small town, can be overwhelming when you’re stuck inside.

When I feel pent up anger, anxiety or boredom, I take myself out for a turn around the local park, for a wander down to the harbour or out into the countryside a short drive from my house. The more I can immerse myself in the natural sights, sounds and smells, the more I feel awash with calm.

It turns out I need my time outside the house more than I need the hours of escapism that Stardew Valley can provide.

Can’t get outside?

Even if you live in a city, you can still reap nature’s benefits without having to go very far. Most cities have green space that is easily accessible using public transport. You can be among the trees in minutes.

Can’t leave the house? The research around “Shirin-yoku” suggests that you don’t really even need to.

Even fake nature has its benefits. Having a plant in your bedroom, listening to nature sounds, or opening a window can be beneficial in lowering stress, anxiety and blood pressure. It also has been shown to have a lasting impact: participants report feeling calmer and less stressed for hours after exposure.

Time in Nature Should Be Accessible to Everyone

I won’t ignore my privileged position as a non-disabled, healthy, white person who works a steady 9–5. I realise that it’s all very well and good for me to say, “Hey, get out there and hike.”

Not every countryside or forest trail is accessible to everyone. And we need to change that.

Here in the UK, the Disabled Ramblers is an organisation dedicating to make hiking more accessible for people with disabilities. They have plenty of resources on their website to educate us on how hiking can and should be accessible for everyone.

They also have a comprehensive list of routes that details whether they are suitable for wheelchairs and other movement aids.

Trails might be additionally inaccessible for people of colour. A survey by the Department for environmental, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) identified that the main obstacles for people of colour to get out and hike were a lack of knowledge about the English countryside and culturally appropriate provisions, cost of transportation, and fear of discrimination.

No one should ever feel like they can’t reap the benefits that getting outside has to offer.

Black Girls Hike is a group here in the UK that provides a “safe space for Black women to explore the outdoors” and “reconnect with nature”. They have hikes for Black women nationwide and a range of ability levels.

Final thoughts

I only mentioned two groups that make hiking more accessible for everyone, but there are plenty more out there. And if, like me, you are privileged enough to enjoy and access these spaces without any obstacles, please educate yourself and become an ally. It is everyone’s responsibility to make the great outdoors a place for everyone.

If you are stuck for where to go but are keen to get outside, I cannot recommend AllTrails enough. I use this trail all the time for its reliably accurate trail maps and guides, as well as reviews and images from users who have completed paths.

I can’t wait until I can get out there and feel the sun on my face again (only a few more hours!), but until then, I’m going to stay right here beside my houseplants and an open window.

Happy hiking!