Like many hobbies, skills and activities, hiking gets considerably more fun the more you do it.
As well as seeing more incredible sights such as stepping onto the highest point in the country whilst on Ben Nevis walking holidays, hiking improves your physical and mental health in a range of ways that are both obvious and subtle.
The best way to improve your hiking is to keep walking, keep exercising and keep going, but here are some ways to help get better quickly as a hiker.
Train When Not On The Hill
Cardio is the obvious training focus when hiking, as the stronger your heart and lungs are, the longer you can walk the trail without needing to take a break.
Whilst hitting the treadmill is a great place to start, strength training can be important too, particularly when carrying heavy bags or helping your quadriceps weather steeper downhill sections.
Do Not Forget Snacks
Unless your hike is exceptionally short, you are going to need to give yourself a boost of energy whilst on the trails.
Do not forget to pack extra food in case your hike is extended, and pack a range of different foods, such as carbohydrates (through crackers and raisins) as well as proteins and fats to help keep you filled up and give yourself an extra boost (protein bars and nuts).
As well as this, ensure you have a full water canteen sufficient enough for the walk or the ability to filter clean safe water if not.
Invest In A Good Pair Of Shoes
When you are walking up hills and on rocky terrain, you need a shoe with a stiffer sole but one that can help absorb the shocks a little bit, as well as investing in a gel insole to reduce the risk of blisters.
Generally, it is best to have at least two pairs of hiking shoes; a heavy, waterproof insulated pair for colder, wetter hiking seasons, as well as a lighter, more breathable shoe that can cry out easily if you do need to cross a stream on your trail.