Have you ever gone hiking? Most people envision dusty trails and sleep slopes at the mention of the word “hiking.” Some envision blisters, insect bites and sore feet and legs. Unpleasant images, aren’t they? That’s just one side of hiking. If you take the time to learn the proper hiking techniques and have the right gear though, you don’t have to experience the unpleasant side of hiking. Hiking is a great activity. It gives you the opportunity to see and experience nature and breathe in fresh air. It’s a healthy exercise that can also give you a soul-renewing solitude if you choose to hike alone or a joyous companionship if you go with a friend or group of friends. To experience all these, however, you will need to get started on the right foot. You have to also understand what hiking isn’t.

First off, hiking isn’t mountain climbing even if you can hike up mountains. With mountain climbing, you primarily scale steep inclines using mountain climbing gear and special climbing techniques. Compared to hiking, mountain climbing is much more dangerous, lethal even. While you can get lost in the wilderness or get bitten by a snake while hiking, it’s still not as serious as dropping a few hundred feet from the ground if you lose your grip on steep mountain climb. However, the risks in both outdoor activities can be minimized with expert guidance and common sense.

While hiking can be a component of other outdoor activities such as fishing, kayaking, canyoning and cave-exploring, it’s still a different activity altogether. The aforementioned outdoor activities tend to be more vigorous than hiking. They also require specialized training or guidance. With hiking, you only need a good pair of hiking boots, the right hiking clothes, a good backpack, the appropriate hiking gear, a place to hike and you’re all set.

For a good pair of hiking boots, you can start your search online. As for the hiking apparel, you’ll find them in a wide range of styles, purposes and prices. Make sure to pick the right pair of pants, jackets, and socks for the hiking area and weather conditions.

There are hiking gear that can make your hiking experience an enjoyable one. Some hiking gear you may need include a GPS device or compass, poles, backpacks, containers, first aid kit, bug spray, bandages and burn cream.

And before you go hiking beyond those local trail-lined hills, it pays to remember a number of common sense safety guidelines. For instance, it’s not at all difficult to get lost in the forest, so it’s a good idea to have a compass with you, or better yet, have a hiking companion. It also pays to research about the area before hiking through it. You don’t want to run into snakes and other wildlife.

Take the time to learn the basics of hiking, as well as  prepare for each hike you plan on taking. When you gain some experience, you can eventually go on longer hikes or overnight hikes. Pretty soon, you will be able to hike even the toughest of trails.