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Top 9 Thrilling Fun Facts About Hiking: Uncover the Hidden Wonders of the Trails!

illustration of hiking
Embark on a virtual trek through the lesser-known terrains of hiking trivia, as we uncover some intriguing, amusing, and downright fascinating fun facts about this adventurous outdoor pursuit.

1. Energy-Boosting Snacking Tips

Hold on to your energy bars, folks! We're about to embark on an epic hike through the land of sustained energy, where simple carbs are banished and complex carbs reign supreme: The secret to maintaining your energy while hiking is snacking on nutrient-dense delights like trail mix, jerky, and tuna/chicken packets, which provide a fantastic combo of complex carbohydrates, fats, and proteins to keep you going for miles.
Source => getawaycouple.com

2. Calorie-Burning Power of Hiking

Are your pants feeling a tad snug after one-too-many Netflix marathons paired with an equal amount of popcorn marathons? Fear not, we've found the perfect nature-filled solution to making peace with the waistband once more: Hiking can help a 150-pound person burn about 360 calories per hour on moderate terrain, and even more – around 400-550 calories per hour – on challenging uphill trails. Say hello to breathtaking views and goodbye to those pesky extra calories!
Source => backpackerspantry.com

3. Dog-Friendly Trails Near NYC

Who let the dogs out – on a hike, that is: There are several paw-some dog-friendly hiking trails near NYC, such as the Cornish Estate Trail, Arden Point, Gedney Park, and Storm King State Park, where city slickers and their four-legged companions can enjoy breathtaking views of the Hudson River, historic landmarks, waterfalls, and even sniff out designated off-leash areas.
Source => living.greatpetcare.com

4. Redford & Nolte's Appalachian Adventure

Who needs the fountain of youth when you've got the Appalachian Trail: In the film adaptation of Bill Bryson’s memoir, A Walk in the Woods, septuagenarian actors Robert Redford and Nick Nolte venture along the rugged hike, performing most of their own stunts in a buddy road movie that's less Thelma and Louise and more Grizzly Adams meets Grumpy Old Men.
Source => ew.com

El Caminito del Rey: Extreme Hiking

5. El Caminito del Rey: Extreme Hiking

For those seeking a walk on the wild side with a side of vertigo, El Caminito del Rey is "Spain's Next Top Ledge-end": a truly mesmerizing hike that tests your nerves and makes you question your life choices. No need to pack your fear of heights, as it's already included: This famous trail offers unparalleled views and adrenaline rushes, with a swaying suspension bridge and a narrow boardwalk, but access is limited to 300,000 visitors per year to prevent chaos and maintain safety. Keep in mind, it's closed on Mondays and a few Christmas holidays, so plan accordingly and hit the gym beforehand – trust us, you'll thank your fit self later.
Source => history.howstuffworks.com

6. Canada's Epic Great Trail

If Lewis and Clark were alive today, they'd ditch their canoes and slap on some running shoes for Canada's pièce de résistance of intercontinental strolling: The Great Trail (aka TCT) is set to be the world's longest trail network at a whopping 24,000 kilometers (15,000 miles) upon its completion in 2017, traversing 13 provinces and territories and connecting east, west, and north coasts while covering scenic forests, canoe routes, urban pathways, and even some logging roads and secondary highways.
Source => gearjunkie.com

7. Tasmania's Overland Track: Nature's Wonderland

Step aside Willy Wonka, for Tasmania's Overland Track is the golden ticket to nature's fantastical eye-candy factory: Kaleidoscopic sights await hikers, such as the ethereal Crater Lake, sprawling button grass plains, and the whimsical ballet of icy-flowing waterfalls.
Source => taswalkingco.com.au

8. High and Dry: Altitude Sickness

Heights and hangovers may have more in common than you think: Altitude sickness affects up to 50% of climbers ascending above 8,000 feet, with symptoms usually subsiding after a day or two of acclimatization. In rare, severe cases, altitude sickness could turn deadly, causing high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) and high-altitude cerebral edema (HACE), as fluids flood your lungs and brain - be sure to seek immediate descent and medical treatment if needed.
Source => my.clevelandclinic.org

9. Grand Canyon's Ultimate Legs Day Workout

Brace your calves for the ultimate "Legs Day" workout in nature's gym: The Grand Canyon's Rim-to-Rim hike is a grueling 24-mile trek where adventurers descend 14.3 miles along the North Kaibab Trail, dropping 6,000 feet to the canyon's bottom, and then clamber back up via the Bright Angel Trail, ascending 4,500 feet and 9.6 miles to the South Rim.
Source => nationalparks.org

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