Enjoy the great outdoors this season with summer hiking!
Hello! Hello!
Living in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina it's hard to NOT jump on the hiking bandwagon. There are infinite numbers of trails and paths nearby. I'll often find a new one any weekend day the Hubs and I don't have other plans. I've been keeping track of our adventures on my Hiking Page on Running in a Skirt. I hope to make it a resource for all WNC hikes at some point, but I still have a lot of hiking to do before I get anywhere close. One day! In the meantime if you are local or traveling to our area you should check it out because it still covers some really fun ones.
I never would have thought 10 years ago I would grow to love hiking as much as I do, but I do! So today I'm sharing a few reasons why you should embrace summer hiking.
5 Reasons Summer Hiking Rocks
-
Great Workout
Hiking is a great way to get fit and stay active. You not only cover some serious miles, but the elevation changes (if you are near mountains like I am) can really work your legs. And the best part is, it’s so much fun, you hardly notice the workout.
-
It’s Free
In the day and age of $30 fitness classes, hiking is totally free! It is very refreshing to get an entire day workout at no charge. Pack your own snacks for a great day adventure.
-
It’s so Peaceful
Sometimes all the chaos at the gym or at a race can be stressful, there is nothing more calming than being on an empty trail and approaching a stunning waterfall like this.
-
To Cool Off
I don’t know about you, but by late summer I get tired of running in the heat. Even in Asheville, which is notoriously cooler in the summer, it can get sweltering! If you have the option to gain any elevation with your hiking, it will be cooler. In my area, it can be a 90 degree day in town and a 60-70 degree day on the top of a mountain.
-
Changes Your Perspective
Just like standing out looking over the ocean, hiking can change your perspective. Are you getting wrapped up in all kinds of stressful stuff? Go take a hike to a place with some pretty views. It kind of reminds me just how little all that petty stuff actually matters.
Now I know not everyone has such great access to gorgeous hikes close to where you live. But if you do some searching, you might be surprised at what you can find nearby. Even if you can just find a nice nature trail, getting out an enjoying where you live is what it is all about!
Thanks for stopping by today! Tomorrow I’ll be sharing a grilled pineapple dish with a delicious BBQ twist.
I’m linking up with: Jill Conyers for Fitness Friday & Inspired to be Fit, Annmarie for Wild Workout Wednesday, Thinking Out Loud Thursday. Thanks so much ladies for the link up parties!
Your turn!
What's your favorite reason to go hiking?
What's your favorite hike you have done?
Farrah says
I recognize that waterfall photo! ;P You know I'm all about hiking and pretty places! Asheville is so perfect for that--I'm hoping to find awesome places in NJ as well! 😀
JulieWunder says
I'm sure you will! Such a great way to spend a day.
Laura @ Sprint 2 the Table says
Yes to all of these! My favorite cardio is hiking - there's always something new to look at, it's not crowded like a gym (hopefully... a few trails here are nuts), and the fresh air always makes me feel great.
JulieWunder says
It's is! It feels great to get outside!
Jen V says
Hiking is one of my favorite summertime activities! We are blessed here in Ohio with a lot of great hikes with gorgeous scenery.
JulieWunder says
I agree! Thanks Jen. So glad you have some trails to go on.
Melissa says
I was just talking to people about hiking yesterday because there is no shortage of that in Oahu. I cannot wait to go! I would really love to go on a hike with a waterfall and go swimming! Although then you'd have to hike back all wet lol.
JulieWunder says
I'm sure! I bet you can see some amazing things! Hope you get a chance to do it while you are there.
DJ says
I love going hiking during the summer in the mountains. It's so pretty and peaceful.
JulieWunder says
I agree! So nice!
Heather @Fit 'N' Cookies says
I need to find some good hiking locations! I think it'd be so fun. We have a waterfall about 1.5 hours away from us that I think has hiking around it. I should look into it!
JulieWunder says
That would be great! One of my friends puts her baby in the holder and goes out hiking all over the place!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says
I really love hiking! I should try to find a weekend to go up in PA and hit the gorgeous trails beyond the Poconos! The fresh air and scenery is amazing!
JulieWunder says
I agree! I hope you get a chance to head out.
Michelle says
That sounds so relaxing! I definitely have access to hiking areas near me. Maybe when my kids are a bit older we can enjoy it together!
JulieWunder says
Sounds like a great idea! I hope you get a chance to head out.
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
I'm always so jealous of your hikes! I hope to get in a few this summer when I'm upstate.
JulieWunder says
I hope you get to go too! Hope you had a good weekend.
Susie @ Suzlyfe says
It has been so long since I've gone on a real hike! Maybe I'll add that to the summer bucket list!
JulieWunder says
I think it's a great idea!
Susanna @Zealous Mom says
These are amazing tips! I love this post. I have got to get back on the trails. A blogger group hike would be so much fun sometime this summer. Can't wait to see you soon!
JulieWunder says
That's a great idea! Let's do it 🙂
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home says
I love hiking! I hope to do some hiking when we travel to Wisconsin later this month.
JulieWunder says
How much fun! I hope you enjoy it.
Jen @ Pretty Little Grub says
I love hiking! I'm fortunate enough to live at the base of the Rocky mountains so there are endless hikes that I can tackle.
JulieWunder says
How lovely! I bet the hiking is stunning out there!
Deborah @Confessions of a mother runner says
I am heading out to Colorado this weekend and I can't wait to hike out there.
JulieWunder says
How much fun! I hope you enjoy it.
Ken C says
my family loves to hike
JulieWunder says
Mine too. Thanks Ken!
Susan says
I love hiking in these beautiful mountains and you just reminded me how lucky we are! Thank you!
JulieWunder says
I agree! Thanks Susan. We are so lucky.
Annmarie says
Seeing your pictures always makes me want to get outside and get active! I need to find me some trails now 🙂
JulieWunder says
Thanks Annmarie. It's a lot of fun.
Dan Steadman says
all five of us like to hike, we'll take off on most Sundays and go hike in the mountains...our favorite reason to go is that it is a great family activity...most families don't go hiking like we do, we have a saying, if you are in our family, you go hike, it's what you do. we do however grab a bite when we are done, also if you hike at a SC State Park there are entrance fees per person....
favorite hike (solo)...either Graveyard fields up the ridge to the junction and back down to the falls or the Shut-In from Hwy 151 to the top of Pisgah
family...part of the shut in from one of the overlooks going north..
JulieWunder says
How much fun! Can't think of a better family activity. I need to come down to SC sometime!
lacey@fairytalesandfitness says
I have never really been hiking. I usually just go on a run thru trails. I'd like to some time. I'm sure I'd be more observant w my surrounding. Those are beautiful pics.
JulieWunder says
Thanks Lacey! Both ways are fun!
Blane Sherer says
Love seeing all of those hiking shots again !
JulieWunder says
Thanks!
Mary Beth Jackson says
I love hiking as well and need to work it in on more adventures! You definitely use muscles you don't normally use ?
JulieWunder says
You do! Feels great!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
Hiking is my favourite way to workout, as it doesn't feel like a workout when the scenery is that good. I wish we had some good hikes near where I live.
JulieWunder says
I could not agree more! It's so much fun!