Top 5 Factors to Consider When Choosing Hiking Trails

There are over 20,000 miles of hiking trails to choose from in the National Parks system alone. The Park Service is only one small land management agency.

There are countless other hiking trails available to the public not on NPS land. The sheer staggering amount of options available to you may make choosing hiking trails difficult.

With so much terrain for hiking out there, how do you know where to recreate and stretch your legs? Read on to find out five ways to select your best options for trails when it comes to getting out there into the great outdoors.

      1. Level of Difficulty

Hiking trails can be varying levels of difficulty from strenuous to easy. The last thing you want to do is get yourself in over your head by taking on a trail too challenging for your level of fitness.

Make sure to know your limits before hiking a trail. It is always a good idea to start small on a short and easy trail before tackling a longer and more challenging one if you haven’t hiked in a while.

     2. Day Trip or Overnighter?

How long do you want to make your hiking trip? Will it be a short day trip hiking with friends or a long-drawn-out solo backpacking trip? If it is the latter make sure to bring adequate supplies and snacks for hiking. If you want to relax after a day of hiking, you can book Sardinia villas for relaxing.

     3. Know the Rules When Choosing Hiking Trails

There are many rules and regulations to consider when choosing your trails. Each land management agency has its philosophy towards fees, public access, and permits.

Make sure to do your research beforehand so you don’t break any laws while hiking. This is particularly true for wilderness area hikes which come with their own sets of rules, regulations, and permitting.

     4. Research Climate and Weather

If you want the best hiking weather, don’t try hiking in upstate New York in February. Make sure to do adequate research about seasonal variations and weather patterns in your areas of interest before beginning a hiking trip.

     5. Do You Have Adequate Gear?

Your gear can either be a limiting factor or a door-opener when it comes to choosing hiking trails. You need to make sure to have everything you need to handle a specific trail system.

For instance, if your trail of interest has long stretches of areas of no cell service, you would be a fool to traverse it without a portable radio.

Hiking in the wintertime is another example. For this, you need appropriate winter clothing to avoid freezing to death and maybe even snowshoes.

Always make sure you have adequate gear for the trail you are considering. If you don’t choose an easier trail system more appropriate to your gear. Either that or buy better gear.

You Have Many Options

You have near limitless options when it comes to choosing hiking trails. With the warmer summer months in full swing, no time is better than now to go exploring the great outdoors.

Whether you plan a short afternoon jaunt or a long backpacking trip you will have a great time. Use the tips in this article to help you decide where to go and for all your other informative content check out the rest of our website.