Our Best New Year's Hiking Hacks

Preparation

Consider these suggestions when planning your hike.

HIKE LOCALLY

Before I moved to the Bay Area, hiking often seemed like a huge endeavor requiring time, effort, and resources. Whenever I felt the urge to get outside, I’d feel obligated to plan a big weekend trip to one of my nearby National Parks.

I’ve since discovered that hiking is just as delightful locally at state, city, and county parks. There’s no need to plan an elaborate trip when there are trails in your own backyard! Getting out to explore nearby trails requires less time and planning, and here in the South Bay and Peninsula regions, there’s no shortage of them. 

Looking to discover trails near you? Check out POST’s hiking map, or try the AllTrails app.

KNOW WHAT SPECIES TO LOOK FOR

Five minutes of research before you embark on your hike can bring some extra excitement to your outing. Before I head out, I like to look up what kinds of plants and animals live in the area where I’ll be hiking. That way, I can challenge myself to identify them on my walk. 

You’ll find yourself noticing more about your surroundings. And when you finally spot the Douglas iris or the turkey vulture that you’d read about, you’ll feel a little thrill. 

Apps like iNaturalist are great for that five minutes of research pre-hike, and the Seek app is great for keeping a log of what species you identify along the trail. Merlin is an app that listens to bird calls and informs you as to which species you’re hearing – it’s my personal favorite!

We use all of these apps during POST’s co-hosted BioBlitzes, which are group outings that focus on species identification on local trails. Keep an eye on our events page to register for the next BioBlitz and test your ID skills!

During

Consider applying these suggestions while on the hike itself. 

STRETCH

By the time you pull up to the trailhead, you’re probably eager to get moving. But one tip that’s been hugely effective for me is remembering to stretch before I start down the trail.

Just five to ten minutes of pre-hike stretching can do wonders for the body. These light movements get our muscles ready for exercise and prevents the risk of strain or injury.

So, before you take off, try out some stretching to prepare your body for physical activity. Dynamic stretches work best – think lunges, calf raises, or a few seconds of high knees. Trust me, your body will thank you for it!

HIKING POLES

I used to think hiking poles were only for extreme hikes, like day-long backpacking trips that require a huge amount of physical effort. But I’ve come to realize that these poles are always useful, no matter the length of your hike. 

Using hiking poles reduces strain on your body by helping distribute your weight. They also help improve your balance, especially on trails that require maneuvering over or around logs, rocks, or streams.

You don’t need anything fancy, but having poles to aid you on a walk makes the experience easier and reduces the chance of joint discomfort. If you’re looking to test this theory but not ready to buy, you can always rent or start with a more natural option — a good old fashioned walking stick. (Just remember — your walking stick should never leave the park with you!)

WATER BLADDER

You probably don’t need to be told that it’s important to stay hydrated while hiking. But this tip enhances how you hydrate. 

I recently started using a water bladder during my hikes, and I don’t think I’ll ever go back. This nifty invention makes it far easier to access your water, without having to stop and fish around for your water bottle. 

The bladder is a secure pouch that can carry two to three liters of water. The pouch has a long tube extending from it which ends in a mouthpiece, through which you can drink the water. The tube also has a clip to attach to your backpack strap or t-shirt, so that it’s always within reach and doesn’t dangle. With this setup, hydrating is a quick and easy feat. 

Of course, a standard water bottle works just fine for hydration!

CHOOSE YOUR SNACK WISELY

Taking a break to refuel is a classic component of a healthy hike, but your experience will be influenced by what type of snack you bring. The purpose of a hiking snack (beyond curbing hunger) is to replenish your body with nutrients so that it has the strength to carry you through the hike.

As tempting as it may be, avoid packing snacks made with artificial sugars, like candy bars or cookies. They’ll be delicious, sure, but the sugar rush won’t last, and you’ll likely crash. This will make it harder to complete your hike, or leave you exhausted afterward. 

Instead, look for snacks that include carbs, healthy fats, protein, and sodium. These foods will help to keep you energized and satiated while on the trail.

For specific recommendations on hiking snacks, read here. 

Conclusion

A few simple changes can go a long way in making hiking a more comfortable hobby. Whether you’re taking one trick from this list or all of them, a new spin on a classic activity is always worth a try.

For more suggestions to heighten your hiking experiences, check out our blogs on hiking with kids, hiking in the heat, packing for a hike, or this additional list of tips and tricks. 

Happy New Year – and happy hiking!