From Goals to Trails: Why You Should Join A Hiking Club This Summer!
Have you always wanted to spend more time in nature, enjoying the crisp fresh air and sound of chirping birds, but always felt as if time was not on your side?
There’s always a function to attend, or perhaps you say you’re too tired because you’ve had a long day, and so on and so forth. It is easy to fall down this hole of never actually holding yourself accountable for the goals you’d like to achieve.
As you reflect on the goals you had this past year but didn't get to, why not use this summer season to get going? Afterall, who says you need to wait for a new year, to begin with goal setting!
In this blog, we bring to you a list of reasons why joining a hiking club is beneficial for both your fitness and outdoor journey.
The Benefits of Joining A Hiking Club
1. Accountability: One of the top reasons to join a hiking club is that it’s a great way to hold yourself accountable to all the outdoor explorations you wish to do.
When other people and planning are involved, it is much more difficult to back out at the last moment, compared to making the plans with just yourself.
2. Safety: There is power in numbers, and with a hiking club you can avoid any feelings of being unsafe. You can rest assured knowing your group is there to help if you need it!
3. Community: This is a great way to become part of a community and meet new people. Afterall, they say, the people you choose to keep in your company are a reflection of who you are. And, surrounding yourself with like-minded people will help you stay on the path to achieving your goals.
4. Camaraderie: While some hikes are enjoyable alone, sharing the adventure adds a little extra bit of fun, and will often create cherished memories to last a lifetime.
5. Mental Health: Being in nature is always good for the soul. It is a good way to decompress from our daily hustle and bustle. This hobby is a great way to ensure you are getting enough time in nature to relax and recharge.
Merrell’s Hiking Club Initiative
With a philosophy rooted in enjoying adventures in the great outdoors, Merrell International launched a hiking club initiative.
This initiative consisted of various hikers worldwide sharing their stories and trails enjoyed on a community group on Facebook. Not only has this resulted in people finding interesting routes to try out, it also created a community whereby people could find and connect with hiking groups in their area.
At Merrell South Africa, we have endeavoured to support this initiative by creating a page where we could share the amazing stories and journeys from our local trailblazers. Our hikers have shared numerous routes, as well as helpful fieldnotes, helping those looking to get into hiking, identify which trails would best suit them.
Since sharing their stories on our platforms, these groups have grown tremendously, resulting in a tight knit community of people who enjoy the outdoors and the challenges that nature throws at them.
Are You Ready To Join A Hiking Club?
Now that you’ve read about all the reasons why joining a hiking club can benefit you, are you finally ready to take the plunge and commit to this goal this summer?
If you do, we want to hear all about your journey! Whether you are sharing it on socials, or follow our hiking club page, share your adventures and help us inspire more people to get outdoors and explore nature!
