Hikers talk about hiking with passion. You might want to try hiking after hearing them. Will you become addicted to hiking after one hike?

Hiking is a great physical workout that requires a lot of strength and physical exertion. Hiking can be addictive for people who love nature. However, without the required level of stamina, that can be a problem!

A person can get addicted to hiking since it can trigger your brain’s pleasure center and release neurochemicals. The pleasure derived from hiking makes a person seek the experience again. Due to its positive effects on health, hiking is considered a healthy addiction that promotes health.

Hiking is a popular activity around the world since it gives people the chance to get in touch with nature and get the physical activity that promotes physical and mental health. All these benefits would make a person come back for more. In this post, we will cover the reasons that make hiking so addictive.

I have listed some reasons that make hiking so addictive using my hiking experience, which spans over a decade. I can tell you from first-hand experience that hiking makes a person want to keep coming back for more!

Understanding Hiking for Enjoyment

Hiking can be defined as a long and vigorous walk on an irregular terrain – on mountain trails or along footpaths. This physical activity involves walking on various terrains. In terms of difficulty level, hiking is a relatively low-intensity workout. However, it still requires a large amount of strength and physical endurance.

A hiker has to maintain pace and a constant heart rate within the zone 2 range for longer durations at a stretch. Hiking is one of the most popular workouts, especially since it doesn’t require you to put your body under a lot of pressure, like in the case of physically-intense workouts like cardio or Zumba.

Experts believe that habits form when new behavior becomes routine behaviors and the process takes place without the person realizing or becoming consciously aware of it. The factors that trigger habits include a time of day, location, etc. When a certain behavior becomes automatic, it turns into a habit. It is nearly impossible for a person to determine precisely when a certain act turns into a habit.

The line that separates habits from addictive behaviors or addiction may often be unclear. However, you know for sure when you see that a habit has the potential to control you and your behavior. Addition tends to adversely affect your mental stability and power to think while also disrupting behavioral patterns.

However, there can be positive addictions in life that tend to strengthen you apart from being very satisfying. Hiking is one such addiction. In case of a positive addiction like hiking, you are still chasing a high but it does not come with negative consequences for your health.

Since the pandemic, there has been an increase in the number of hikers worldwide. It gave people a chance to get out and get some fresh air away from the confines of their homes.

You will often hear the terms hiking and trekking being used interchangeably. The length or duration of a walk is a significant factor distinguishing a hike from a trek. Hiking is often associated with shorter walks. For instance, you may have come across ‘night hike’ or ‘day hike.’ However, the word trek implies longer walks that last for at least a week or more.

So, hiking is the activity for you if you, like me, enjoy being close to nature, mountains, forests, lakes, waterfalls, and other scenic terrains.

Depending on where you are situated, you’ll notice that hiking is available around the year. However, winter is not considered to be one of the most suitable times for hiking as the weather can be harsher and more dangerous. Hiking is more prevalent in mountainous areas during the warmer seasons.

Reasons Why People Find Hiking So Addictive

Hiking is unique in that it combines a physical workout with adventure, thrill, and excitement. This positive experience makes a person want to have that feeling again. Once you fall in love with hiking, you’ll never want to stop. I can say this after having gone on numerous hikes for more than 10 years. Let’s dig in some more and explore some reasons why hiking is so addictive!

Hiking is not only refreshing, but it is also good for you. Research shows that staying active improves your overall health and quality of life. Hiking involves walking, which is one of the lowers impact physical activities.

The Thrill of the Unknown

Every trail is different and has its own unique challenges and adventures. Not knowing what you will experience on every hike can be very thrilling. So, if you are a nature lover and enjoy quiet and serene locations, you are likely to be more addicted to hiking. There is also an element of surprise during hikes. You get to explore places where roads don’t reach. It opens the door to a world filled with adventure and excitement. So, don’t miss out.

Bring You Closer to Nature

One can also get addicted to hiking because it is an outdoor activity that allows you to experience nature in its purest form. The places you discover during hikes are greener and less polluted, which gives you a uniquely refreshing experience.

Pushes You to Set Goals and Reach New Limits

As a beginner, I suggest you set easy and achievable goals. Once you can achieve those goals, set new ones and gradually move up the difficulty level. Regardless of how ambitious you may be, you still need to think again and plan. So, setting hiking goals is a must, especially since it helps you track your progress.

Here are a few questions you need to ask yourself before hiking:

1. Where do you want to hike?
2. How long is the hike expected to take?
3. What is the total distance of the hike?
4. Is it safe to go alone? Who do you think should accompany you during the hike?
5. Is there any hiking gear you need to borrow or buy for a particular hike?
6. Is the weather safe for the hike?

It Gives You Confidence and a Sense of Accomplishment

Hiking gives you an unparalleled sense of accomplishment and a significant boost to your self-esteem because you push yourself consistently while you are walking to reach your destination. This builds your determination and adds confidence in your abilities. Therefore, hiking is not only good for the muscle and limbs but is equally good for your self-esteem and self-confidence.

Helps You Step Away From the Hustle and Bustle of the City

In today’s urbanized world, there is a natural urge in every human being to go back to places of peace and calm. Hiking is mainly done in remote areas or places that are not crowded. Your mind will find peace and refuge from the noises of the city by staying away and will consume the majority of your time in relatively peaceful and serene settings.

Reduces Lethargy

Hiking is a natural energy booster because it trains your mind to take your body to the next level by pushing it to the limit. Hiking is the perfect anecdote for increasing your activity level. It will make you comfortable with rigorous physical activity. Do try this for a whole if you want to have a fit body and a healthy mind.

Allows You to Clear Your Thoughts

Hiking allows you to have clarity of thought. It is a powerful way to give you some perspective and remind you how insignificant the issues that worry us are. Hiking is known to be the perfect remedy for unclogging your mind of useless and silly thoughts that add to your stress levels during the day while also lowering your efficiency.

These days, our lives have become so fast-paced that it tends to crowd your brain with too much information. With a clear mind, you will be better prepared to handle the challenges in a day and focus on the big picture rather than wasting energy on things that don’t matter.

Helps Keep Your Mind Sharp and Active

Sufficient research suggests that hiking doesn’t just make you feel good. However, it also helps keep your mind sharp and active, especially since it is a workout outdoors rather than one in a cramped gym. As you walk consistently, your heart rate goes while the lungs get a healthy workout. This physical activity makes you feel fresher, stronger, and younger.

Hiking is known to activate that part of your brain which helps you navigate through life and improves memorization. Hence, hiking is excellent for a healthy heart and mind, which makes it appealing to those who love activities that improve their health. When a person feels the physical and mental health benefits of hiking, they become more inclined to go on more hikes; this also explains why some people call hiking “addictive.” However, addiction is normally associated with negative things. All things considered, hiking is an addiction, but one that is healthy for you!