By Senior Coach Christina
Approximate Reading Time: 2-3 min
By now we know hiking has extensive benefits for the mind and body. Hiking soothes and calms the mind making us more mindful; it truly can be nature’s therapy. And at this time, more than ever, people are seeking solitude in nature.
It can be frustrating when you have planned a perfect day in nature to relax and recharge only to find an overloaded parking lot and packed trails. So here are some hiking hacks to avoid crowds, find solitude, rejuvenate and reap the rewards being in nature brings.
Selecting a Trail
I personally love the app “All Trails”. You can download it HERE . “Find your new favourite trail. Wherever you might be, quickly find the perfect hike, bike ride, or trail run by length, rating, and difficulty level. Filter by dog or kid friendly trails, or find trails with great views.” - All Trails
Try to select trails that are longer in length. Short trails that are 1-2 hours are very popular for families and tend to be considerably busier. Longer trails that are around 4-6 hours are perfect for finding solitude but don’t have to be too intense. While 6 hour+ trails are likely to be more advanced, you will likely be alone, maybe only passing a few hikers. Keep in mind, you also do not need to do the full trail. You can turn around at any point to make it a shorter hike.
Be sure to always have an experienced hiker with you, and if you’re already a seasoned hiker, remember to always let someone know where you are and your estimated time of completion.
Best Time to Head Out
The best time to depart for your hike is early morning. Most trails get busy around 10am. Setting out around 7am-8am is a great way to beat the late morning rush. You’ll beat the heat too!
Leaving later in the day is a good option too. Trails start to clear out around 4pm-5pm when people start to head back for dinner. In the spring and summer months, there are still hours of daylight ahead. It’s a great time to take advantage of less crowded trails. If you choose to depart later in the day, make sure you are well prepared in case your hike takes a bit longer and it gets dark.
Avoid Weekends and Holidays
If you plan to hike on a weekend, expect big crowds! If a Saturday or Sunday are your only options, follow the advice above—but if you’re able, try to hike during the week. Trails are far less cramped Monday through Friday. If you don’t have flexibility around your work schedule, try an evening hike after work. Shorter trails can be a great way to wind down after work on long summer evenings.
Rain or Shine
Another great way to find solitude on your hike is to not fear the rain. Here in Vancouver, we get an abundance of rain and most people stay indoors. Hiking in the rain can be enchanting! If you’re prepared with rain gear, a bad weather hike is a great way to find quiet trails, beautiful mist and luscious thirst-quenched plant life.
Remember…
Going for a hike reduces your blood pressure and cortisol levels, producing a calming effect only nature can offer; above and beyond the benefits of exercise alone. So regardless of what you choose, just get outside!
I hope these hacks have inspired you to get hiking!
-Coach Christina