The crunch of a twig under my shoe. The smile brought by being in the woods breathing in fresh air. The sounds of a bird singing in a nearby tree. The sense of awe looking out into a sea of mountains or standing at the foot of a breathtaking waterfall.

Since college, hiking was an activity I thoroughly enjoyed, but for whatever reason, I reserved it solely for times of vacation and travel. I definitely enjoyed some amazing hikes amongst my travels to parts of the United States, like in Colorado, the Pacific Northwest, and, more regularly, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. However, in my early 40s and after some major personal life changes, I began to prioritize mental and physical health in a new way. This fresh perspective opened my eyes to the realization that I had lived in a place for almost twenty years and had never really explored what was right in front of me. So I embraced it, and I want to encourage you that it is also never too late for you to take a hike.

Discovering Local Trails

I started with one place I had always heard amazing things about, but had never visited: Lula Lake Land Trust on Lookout Mountain. Looking back on that now, it blows my mind how geographically close I was to Lula, but I had never seen the beauty inside its gates. The joy and adrenaline I experienced during that hike gave me a rush that I couldn’t get over, and I wanted more. So I continued seeking out new trails in the Chattanooga and greater Tennessee Valley areas, utilizing outdoor apps, search engines, and my favorite - getting recommendations from other hikers I’d meet while on trails. Those conversations have led me to some of the most amazing experiences of my life. I still remember meeting two college-aged young ladies on a short hike on Signal Mountain who recommended the incredible Edwards Point trail. The next weekend, I set out on that trail, and my jaw dropped as I reached the pinnacle view of the mountains separated by the winding Tennessee River, with Chattanooga as a backdrop! A hiker I met at the North Chickamauga Creek Gorge State Park recommended the Fiery Gizzard trail — which I later completed as a 12-mile solo hike that became one of my most memorable experiences. I have since repeated these hikes, along with many others in the region, and find that each visit brings that same adrenaline rush, with a new sense of beauty and fulfillment. 

Health and Growth on the Trail

I continue to enjoy hiking amidst my travels, including to places like Camelback Mountain in Arizona and the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina. But more and more frequently, I discovered and fell in love with the treasure trove of hiking trails that surround the Chattanooga area, blown away by what I found. Breathtaking waterfalls, picturesque overlooks, bluffs, lakes…but also, health and growth, both physically and mentally. I have learned how to trust myself; to push myself, but also listen to myself. Completing a new or challenging hike brings about a sense of accomplishment that is purely my own — and in my own backyard. I have also met so many amazing people while hiking, engaging in conversations so inspiring that some have grown into lasting friendships.

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The mental and physical health benefits of hiking that I have experienced are tremendous. In addition to being an excellent form of exercise, our senses are stimulated in a way that grounds our minds in the present. Hiking allows us the space to be surrounded by the sights of a majestic overlook or the vibrant colors of changing fall leaves, the sounds of cascading streams or the roar of a waterfall, the smells of evergreen trees and clean air, and the soft touch of a blooming flower or rugged comfort found in gripping a boulder to reach the top of a cliff. For overthinkers like me, the grounding that comes from hiking and immersing yourself in nature allows your mind to experience peace, renewal, and healing. 

Try It for Yourself

Your hiking journey will be unique to you, just as my journey has been unique to me. The benefits of going out on a trail will be countless, whether you hike once a year or every weekend. You may have a treasure trove of trails in your backyard or nearby, too, and when you discover them, it might just change your life and make you a healthier version of yourself. Maybe like me, you have heard of an amazing place to hike that is close by and have never tried it. Be encouraged that it is never too late to try or to start. So go on — take a hike!

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