Why To Hike?
It's hard to imagine a more iconic camping activity than hiking:marching single file across a grassy clearing, wandering quietly in dappled shade among tall trees, and finally making it to the top of a challenging summit. The hike is often rewarding enough, but the benefits of hiking go far beyond good vistas. Did you know that it's good for your health, too? It's true, and in a surprisingly large number of ways. Benefits of Hiking: Hiking can help improve: Cardio-respiratory fitness including heart, lungs and blood vessels Sleep quality Bone density (or slow its loss) Muscle strength Weight control. On average hiking burns up about 250 calories an hour—and people who lose weight through hiking or walking generally maintain that loss and continue to lose, while those who depend on diets tend to gain weight back. Tramping through the forest can also help reduce your risk for: Depression (if so afflicted) Heart disease and stroke High blood pressure or...