Top 5 Reasons to Hike

I. A Good Workout– If you are a fitness maniac like me, treks and/or hikes provides one of the best forms of workout. Climbing up hills and any steep slope increases the heart rate and I believe there is sense of fulfillment  at the end of a trek up a mountain. Calories burnt and a fitter you, is the ultimate result. 

II. Serenity of Nature-Treks provide an opportunity to be up, close and personal with nature. I have always admired nature’s beauty-the greenery, the mountains standing tall in all their grandeur, the beautiful shapes of different rocks, and waterfalls gushing with full force. Every walk or trek clears my mind and some of my best ideas have emerged whilst walking amidst the greenery and waterfalls.

III. Teaches you about life–“Life is full of ups and downs. The trick is to enjoy the ups and have courage during the downs.”

Yes, a trek up a hill is exactly the same, climb up a hill seems more difficult than  running downhill.  However, to me, I enjoy climbing up a mountain, it is difficult but the fruits of that hard work is immense.  I don’t enjoy downhill as much since it is a challenge to my bad back. Recently, I fractured my left foot and just about on the recovery path. Over the weekend, I ventured to do a relatively easy walk since I was eager to get back to my normal fitness routine.  Downhill was indeed a challenge on my foot, my back and my calf.  However, downhill teaches me to be cautious and take each stride carefully.

In Life as well, we all like uphills and hate downhill. Climb uphill comes from consistent effort towards one vision. However the various challenges that life poses on each of us makes us stronger.  It teaches us to balance and appreciate life.

IV. Connect – Yes hikes are the best time to connect with a friend, with a sweetheart, with your spouse or even form a new relationship. I have met some wonderful people during my hikes organized either by common friends or some community drive event.

V. Support a charity – I have done several hikes where I have joined an event organized by a Non Profit Organization. These organizations organize a trek and the participants have to collect money from their friends and well wishers. The money that is raised is used for several good causes which includes for the aged, for cancer, for the Blind , etc.

The best example I can think of here is the Trek being organized by @paul_steele where Tweeters from around the World will climb a mountain for charity, to raise funds for charity water .

No better way to unite  in doing what one loves to do the most.

I hope this post has inspired you try a hike and discover a new you and be with nature.