6 Hiking Tips for Seniors Who Love a Good Exercise

Seniors who love hiking are different types of people. They are much healthier than their peers, and they enjoy life more. Hiking is one way to exercise and stay fit. Going through nature, breathing fresh air, listening to the birds chirping, and seeing some spectacular sights is time well spent.

Hiking is one of those activities that are suitable for seniors. This activity does not require extreme effort and sweating, but it still keeps the muscles in shape. If you’re careful enough, hiking can be an excellent way to stay fit and healthy at an older age.

Knowing how to hike properly as a senior is of utmost importance. Although not complicated, it is still an activity in nature, on rough terrain, and often away from civilization. This is why the list of six hiking tips will mainly focus on some safety issues that senior hikers must consider when going into the great outdoors. Follow up and see how to hike as a senior.

1. Find comfortable shoes

You don’t need special equipment to hike, but you need a pair of comfortable sneakers or shoes made for walking through nature. If it is the summer, sneakers are best, and if the weather is a bit colder and muddy, you’ll need boots or winter shoes.

In both cases, you’ll want something comfortable. If you walk a couple of kilometres through uneven terrain, you want to be capable of withholding this challenge. Without a pair of comfortable shoes, this won’t be possible.

2. Go as lightweight as possible

It’s cool having a professional camera and making some snaps when you see some rare animals, but a camera will weigh too much. You don’t need this when hiking. Instead, leave the camera and anything you may think it’s essential when hiking at home.

Hiking activity happens for a couple of hours and up to a day. You can easily go without the things you feel are essential for a couple of hours. You don’t need coffee, specific food, or anything like that. Carry only the essentials because everything else will tire you and complicate things.

3. Always have a camping tarp

The weather is unpredictable, and although it may have been sunny when you left home, it may turn cloudy and start raining after an hour or so. You would’ve continued your journey when you were younger, not paying too much attention, but getting cold at this age is terrible.

A simple item will prevent this from happening. Get yourself one of those fantastic Alton tarps that are installed as a tent and prevent rain from soaking you. They are mounted on two trees in seconds and keep you dry until the rain passes. Tarps are lightweight and simple to carry.

4. Hiking poles ease the effort tremendously

Regardless of age, all hikers love hiking poles. They are kind of essential for seniors, though. Hiking poles transfer the pressure from the legs to the arms and help hikers get through the trail easier.

It’s wise getting hiking poles because this is how you’ll love the activity more. You will enjoy the hiking experience, and you’ll stay healthy. If you don’t carry them, you’ll struggle hiking and tiring the feet and the legs, only to recover for weeks after the activity. Hiking poles prevent this and help you enjoy the trip.

5. Set a suitable hiking tempo

Don’t put pressure on yourself when going into the mountains or wherever the hiking trip is happening. If there are more people, especially younger ones, don’t try to keep up their tempo. Instead, set your own. Plan how much time you have and how much you can hike.

If you’re still not physically ready for tougher challenges, set a tempo that will be suitable for you personally. It’s better to hike less but stay healthy instead of trying to do something challenging and losing control over your body. Hiking is not easy, and you may push yourself to the limits only to suffer a heart attack or twist an ankle. Stay safe, and enjoy the trip.

6. Never go alone on a hiking trip

This one is vital for all hikers, not only seniors. Never go on a hiking trip alone. Not only is it boring to go through nature by yourself, but it is also dangerous. As a senior, you want someone around you who will at least call for help when something unwanted happens.

Suppose you’ve been hiking in the mountains and didn’t see a bump on the track. You trip and fall, twisting an ankle. Some situations are even worse. What if you fell, hit your head on a rock, and lost consciousness? You want someone to call for help and be there for you. That’s why you should never hike alone.