Traveling helps you disconnect and escape a sedentary life. Hiking, in particular, allows you to realign yourself with nature. With no one but the great outdoors to keep you company, you are secluded and completely submerged in the warm embraces of Mother Nature.
In today’s day and age, more and more people are spending less time outside and more time stressing and aimlessly checking their phones. Working all day and taking care of the daunting tasks of everyday life can become quite repetitive, so why not seek refuge on the road less traveled and get lost in Mother Earth’s sheer beauty?
If you are looking for new places to hike or just trying to expand your horizon to get out more, take a look at these hiking trails that will help you disconnect from your worries and connect you to nature.
Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park
Want a beautiful view with manageable walking? The ½-mile, round-trip Waterfall Overlook Trail at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park could be one of the most beautiful, scenic hiking trails of all time. This easy hike ends on oceanfront that flawlessly overlooks McWay Falls, a favorite spot of Big Sur pioneer woman Julia Pfeiffer Burns (who the park is named after). The plume of water drops 80 feet from the top of a granite cliff to a sandy cove below and is an utterly amazing sight to see.
Awa’awapuhi Trail Koke`e State Park
Traveling all the way to Hawaii to walk on this trail might be a little excessive but if you ever choose to vacation in Hawaii, make sure you add the Awa’awapuhi Trail on your list of places to visit. This mesmerizing trail is 6.7 miles, moderately trafficked, and located near Kekaha, Hawaii. Awa’awapuhi Trail features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as a moderate level hike, so it may not be ideal for beginners. The trail is primarily used for hiking and walking, and is conveniently accessible year-round. So get lost as you enjoy the tropical bliss of what the Awa’awapuhi Trail has to offer.
Hoh River Trail, Olympic National Park
Although this image vaguely resembles the opening scene of The Sound Of Music, you can’t deny how captivating this view looks. Amounting to 32.8 miles in and out, this moderately trafficked trail is located near Forks, Washington. The trail features a lake and is moderately leveled, so if you are a beginning hiker, it’s best to wait until you become a little more experienced before trailing this hike. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April through October. As an added bonus, you can even use horses on this trail.
Hiking To a Healthier You
Being healthy is important and one of the best ways to stay healthy is to get plenty of exercise. Hiking is an efficient and economical way to get out and explore the mysteries of the world while offering a plethora of health benefits.
If you’re new to hiking, however, tread lightly, as each trail has varying levels of intensity. Do your research on the trail ahead of time and start slow to prevent injury. It also doesn’t hurt to invest in a sturdy pair of hiking boots and begin walking your way to a healthier you.
If you suffer from any health conditions that could interfere with your ability to hike, or you are pregnant, make sure you get your doctor’s approval first.
References
11 Can’t-Miss Hiking Trails in the USA. (n.d.). Retrieved March 22, 2018, from https://travel.usnews.com/gallery/11-cant-miss-hiking-trails-in-the-usa
Explore Parks. (2018, March 22). Retrieved March 22, 2018, from https://www.nationalparks.org/explore-parks
