Health benefits of hiking: Raise your heart rate and your mood

Last month, I took a 7.5-mile hike near Harper's Ferry National Historical Park in West Virginia. Thanks to a nearly 1,900 foot-elevation gain, my hike definitely gave me a good cardiovascular workout. But there may be some additional health benefits of hiking, as I learned from Dr. Aaron L. Baggish, associate director of the Cardiovascular Performance Program at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital.
"The nice thing about hiking is that it exists along an entire continuum, from a gentle walk on a flat wooded path to mountain climbing," says Dr. Baggish. Nearly everyone, regardless of age or athletic ability, can find a hike that offers the right level of personal challenge. And hiking may even offer some unique physical and mental benefits, he says.

One benefit of hiking is more for the core

Like brisk walking, hiking is a good way to improve your cardiovascular fitness, particularly if your route includes some hills, which will force your heart to work harder. Taking a hike on the slightly uneven surface of a trail also provides a natural way to engage the core muscles in your torso and to hone your balance skills. "You usually don't get that type of lateral motion from walking on a treadmill or riding a bike," says Dr. Baggish.

However, if you have problems with stability or vision, using walking or trekking poles can give you an added level of security on uneven terrain. Use poles with a spiked metal tip when walking on dirt or grass. Plant the pole out in front of you as you walk to take a little pressure off your knee joints.

Going for a hike can offer natural stress relief?

Yet another benefit of hiking may be the restorative and stress-relieving powers of being outside in nature. A number of small studies hint that spending time in green space — nature preserves, woodlands, and even urban parks — may ease people's stress levels. Giving the growing consensus that stress contributes to high blood pressure and heart disease risk, anything you can do to mitigate stress is likely helpful. In that realm, the benefits of hiking remain anecdotal, but outdoor enthusiasts tend to agree. "There's a real sense of peace and composure you get from being outside and away from everything," says Dr. Baggish, whose own passion is not going for hikes but running on trails in the rugged peaks of New Hampshire's White Mountains.

Here are his tips to take a and enjoyable hike:

• Bring a map and hike with a partner. A companion is good for both company and safety. If you go alone, let someone know when you plan to return.
• Wear hiking boots. Choose well-fitting footwear with good ankle support. Make sure to break them in with shorter walks so you don't get blisters when you're miles from a trailhead.
• Stay hydrated. Don't forget to take plenty of water along on your hike, especially in warm, sunny weather.

Finding trails near you

Looking for hiking venues? Local, state, and national parks are a good place to start. American Trails is a national nonprofit organization that supports local, regional, and long-distance trails for hiking and other uses; check the "Trails" tab to search by state to find hikes in your area.