HIking is a fantastic way to get into shape while also experiencing the great outdoors. When hiking you are burning calories, strengthening and toning muscles, improving your cardiovascular health, endurance, strength and overall level of fitness. Hiking consists of mostly walking, and walking is the one of lowest impact sports, meaning that while you are exercising you are doing so with minimal strain, pounding, and stress on your body. The majority of hikes are uphill and require you to use your legs to propel yourself up the mountainous terrain. This type of exercise requires the engagement of numerous muscles in your lower body including:
These muscles are all being engaged during a hike
- Glutes
- Quadriceps
- Hamstrings
- Calves
- Abdominals
- Lower Back
- Obliques
- Ankle and Knee Complex
- Inside and Outside Thigh
While the lower body is the main area engaged while hiking, your upper body is also being used. Most hikers, backpackers and day-hikers, are carrying some sort of pack on the backs when hiking. Carrying this weight helps to strengthen your shoulders and upper back muscles. Incorporating rock climbing or boldering into your hike also requires the engagement of upper body muscles and contributes to the toning and strengthening of those muscles.
The health benefits of hiking are not limited to muscle strengthening. According to the American Hiking Society, hiking can also reduce the risk of multiple health issues including, hear disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, anxiety, osteoporosis and arthritis.
With health benefits like this, hiking is one sport that provides fitness and health benefits with minimal stress and damage to your body.
Young Hiker's Guide 
Hiking is also a great way to disconnect from the fast pace of “always connected” modern life. It helps to reduce stress and anxiety, and people tend to find a sense of happiness out in the mountains and woods.