National Hiking Day 2023: Date, History, 3 Amazing Hiking Stats

Surprisingly, food (including energy gels and freeze-dried foods) tastes up to 35% better after a hike.

National Hiking Day 2023:The Day is an honorable occasion. November 17 is National Hiking Day, also referred to as “Take A Hike Day,” and it is arguably one of the most significant holidays of the year. Why? To begin, the nation is traversed by a network of over 60,000 miles of trails. Hiking is also an excellent form of exercise, enabling you to expend more than 550 calories in a single hour. Additionally, being outdoors permits you to disconnect from your phone and appreciate the wonder and majesty of nature.

National Hiking Day 2023: History

Not historically has hiking been as popular a recreation as it is now. Before the likes of Patagonia, Subaru, and Jeep established an industry around the activity, walking was regarded as a pastime reserved for the homeless or indigent. The Victorian era, prior to the Romantic era, motivated individuals such as Walden and Thoreau to reestablish a connection with nature. This, in turn, inspired landscape architects, including Frederick Law Olmsted, renowned for his work on Central Park, to design parks featuring exceptional walking pathways. Walking subsequently became associated with the affluent, leisurely, and refined.

Prior to John Muir, who traversed the Sierra Nevadas in California on foot, not only did he advocate for the accessibility of hiking, walking, meandering, and sojourning for all American citizens, but he also emphasized the nation’s responsibility to actively conserve natural regions characterized by their pristine ecology and aesthetic appeal. 1890 saw the establishment of Yosemite and Sequoia National Park, which he deemed “America’s best idea” upon submitting a petition for the National Park System.

However, prior to Muir, a small group of individuals on the east coast had gathered in 1876 to form the Appalachian Mountain Club. Its mission was to develop new trekking trails along the historic mountain range and to protect and preserve existing ones.

Therefore, regardless of whether one is preparing to trek the entire Pacific Crest Trail or prefers to jog on the trails in Central Park, each stride follows in the footsteps of explorers, trailblazers, and activists from the past.

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3 Amazing Hiking Stats

Beyond a mere stroll through the park

The duration of a full Appalachian Trail trek is approximately five to seven months.

It is what the populace desires.

When considering purchases of a property in 2008, “proximity to trails” surpassed other amenities such as shopping availability, golf course proximity, and security.

It fosters an appreciation for one’s food.

Surprisingly, food (including energy gels and freeze-dried foods) tastes up to 35% better after a hike.