Let’s be honest — the idea of hiking doesn’t spark joy for everyone right away.
For some, it sounds like endless uphill struggles, bugs, sweat, and being too far from the comfort of your couch.
Maybe you’ve seen people online standing on mountaintops like they were born in a Patagonia ad and thought, “That’s just not me.”
That’s completely fair.
But before you completely write it off, here’s something worth considering:
You don’t have to love hiking to try it.
And you definitely don’t need to look or act a certain way to belong on a trail.
What If It’s Not About the Hike?
It’s easy to think hiking is just about getting somewhere — like ticking off another achievement.
But more often, it’s about what happens in between.
It’s the sound of your footsteps over dirt and gravel.
It’s the breeze through trees that don’t ask anything from you.
It’s laughing with a friend over snacks on a rock halfway through.
It’s giving your brain a break from screens and noise and endless scrolling.
There’s no pressure to “conquer” anything. You don’t have to reach a peak. You don’t even have to walk very far.
If you go out for 20 minutes and turn around? That still counts. You still showed up.
“But What If I’m Not the Hiking Type?”
Here’s the truth: there is no such thing as the hiking type.
You don’t need a matching set of gear.
You don’t need a certain body type.
You don’t need to know the name of every plant or how to tie fancy knots.
All you need is a bit of time and some shoes that won’t fall apart after a few steps. (And maybe water. Definitely water.)
It doesn’t have to be a mountain.
A park path, a quiet dirt road, a trail near your city — all fair game.
Common Thoughts That Keep People From Going
Let’s go through some thoughts that might be sitting in your head right now — and look at them with a little more kindness:
“What if I can’t make it?”
Then you don’t. And that’s okay.
You can stop. Rest. Turn around. No one’s keeping score.
The point isn’t distance. It’s doing something different.
“What if I look silly?”
Everyone is too focused on their own sweat and steps to care.
Most folks out there started exactly where you are: unsure, maybe a little awkward, maybe a little overdressed.
“What if I get lost?”
Stay on marked trails, go with a buddy, and let someone know where you’re going. There are also apps that work even without a signal. It’s not about danger — it’s about being smart.
Things You Might Notice on the Trail
You may notice your shoulders drop after the first few minutes.
You might breathe deeper.
You might spot a weird-shaped rock that looks like a potato.
You might hear your own thoughts — without interruption — for the first time in a while.
And maybe, just maybe, you’ll want to go a little farther next time. Or not. That’s the beauty of it. You get to decide.
Start Where You Are
There’s no “right” way to begin.
Maybe you find a short loop near your house.
Maybe you walk your dog a bit longer in a quiet spot.
Maybe you drive 10 minutes and sit by a trailhead, just to see what it’s like.
That counts.
There’s room on the trail for people who move slow.
For people who stop often.
For people who bring snacks and sit for half the time.
There’s room for you.
So… Should You Try It?
Maybe.
Maybe not today. Maybe not next week.
But when you’re feeling restless, or overloaded, or like the inside world is too loud — know that the outside world is still out there.
Quiet, steady, waiting.
Not demanding anything from you.
Just offering a place to walk, breathe, and maybe see what happens next.