Week 4: Take a Hike
It's Week 4 of the Nature Rx Challenge! The beginning of fall is such a great time to be outside. Because the weather in Cincinnati is looking so nice this week, I think it is a perfect time for us to focus on hiking! So this week's challenge is fairly simple: just go on a hike. Contrary to popular belief, hiking doesn't have to happen in the woods. While Cincinnati is home to a number of wonderful hiking trails (including Imago's trails located in Price Hill), if getting to the woods isn't something you can do this week, there are still plenty of opportunities to hike no matter where you live. Read on for more hiking resources...
There are so many benefits to hiking beyond physical exercise, namely reducing stress and boosting creativity (check out this article to learn more). A lot of the resources I found on hiking focus on hiking on a trail in the woods, but I want this week to serve as a reminder that hiking doesn't only exist on a wooded trail. Urban hiking is very much a thing, but it begs the question: what's the difference between hiking and just taking a walk? There isn't any sort of formal consensus on this age-old question, but I really liked the definition of urban hiking posed by a hiking group in San Francisco (the full blog is linked below):
"Urban hiking (like hiking in general) also implies a spirit of exploration. When you embark upon an urban hike, you're not trying to take the most direct or functional route somewhere. On the contrary, you are aiming to enjoy your surroundings and discover something new."
Whether you venture to the woods or just on a new path in your neighborhood this week, use your hiking time to disconnect, breathe deeply and take in the nature around you. Explore places in new ways, you can learn or find new things even on a sidewalk or hiking trail you've been on 100 times before. Below are links to more resources, including cool urban hikes around Cincinnati and tips for first time hikers.
What is urban hiking and why should we do it? Check out this blog for a nice introduction >
urbanhikersf.blogspot...More hiking resources...
Cincinnati is a beautiful city, and the best way to enjoy it is to get out there and explore! In that spirit, we have six urban hikes we think you'll love.
New to hiking? Check out these tips for embarking on a hike for the first time.
With a little planning, city-dwellers can stretch their legs and get some much needed fresh air right out their front doors. Here's the how and why to try out hiking in an urban area.
The Unlikely Hikers Podcast features diverse, anti-racist, body-liberating stories from people underrepresented in outdoor media and culture.
Check out Green Umbrella's Greenspace Gems. They've highlighted some cool greenspaces in the Cincinnati area that might not be as well known but are hidden just under our noses.
You can always shoot me an email (mcurran@imagoearth.org) or post about your experience in the Nature Rx Challenge Facebook group. Have a great week, we'll be checking in soon!
