Heard the term #quietluxury? Well, think of the newest social media trend #softlife a spinoff: somewhat of a movement that encourages people to protect their peace by prioritising relaxation and reducing stress. And off the back of that, comes soft hiking.
The low-impact activity, redefining the approach to ‘traditional’ hiking, is centred around immersing yourself in nature and exploring your environment at your own pace, staying mindful and open to sensory experiences.
The term was coined by roommates from Manchester U.K., Lucy Hird and Emily Thornton, when they first decided to go on hikes together during the pandemic.
They recognised pretty early on that they struggled to enjoy hikes because they were paying more attention to completing the hike in record time, rather than just enjoying the experience they were having in nature. This propelled them to create the new concept.
“It was just something we came up with on a hike. It was bit impromptu. We realized that we were on the same page in the way that we liked to go for walks and enjoy things,” Thornton tells CNBC Make It.
“We were like, ‘What would be the word for that?’ and we [said] ‘It’s like hiking, but it’s softer. Soft hiking.’”
@softgirlswhohike Replying to @LousLife good question! we kind of coined the term ourselves. heres what it’s all about 🤎 #girlswhohike #hikinguk #hiketok #bestfriends #softhiking #softgirlswhohike #softlife
To find out more, we asked Dr. Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller, MD, FACOG, ABOIM, a physician, author, and chief medical advisor for AllTrails, our most burning questions.
Why should people start soft hiking?
The mental and physical benefits of time spent in nature are endless, and soft hiking is an accessible way to achieve this. People often find they are more likely to continue walking outdoors than they are to keep going to a gym. And while you are potentially improving your mental health and enhancing your cardiovascular fitness, you might even discover a love of the outdoors that you never knew you had.
Aside from the physical benefits that come with getting in movement outdoors, the mindfulness aspect that heightens with ‘soft hiking’ allows for moments of mental calm and improvement in overall mood. I recommend using AllTrails, or finding a local discovery and parks app or community centre, to discover your nearest trails and tailor filters to best suit you as you try soft hiking.
What do people need to do to prepare to go soft hiking?
This trend is all about immersing yourself in nature and exploring your environment at your own pace. To prepare, start with the basics – find a route that suits your fitness level and the time you have available, make sure you have comfortable footwear and apparel on, and check the weather conditions. I also love this trend as a way to connect with a friend.
Once you’re out on the trail it’s all about going at your own pace, taking rests when you need them and allowing yourself to stop and take in some beautiful scenery that you happen upon. You might consider setting an intention for your walk. Instead of focusing on achievement, for example, think about the walk as an opportunity to be mindful in nature.
Can people of all fitness levels go soft hiking?
Absolutely! One of the great things about this trend is how accessible it is to all fitness and ability levels. It is less about the activity and difficulty level and more about being soft and kind to yourself when hiking in the outdoors. The goal of a soft hike is not to reach the finish line in the fastest time, but to take your time enjoying nature. Take in your surroundings at your own pace, be gentle on yourself, fuel your body, and take breaks when you need to.
What should people bring to go soft hiking safely?
Regardless of the type of hike you’re setting out on, there are a few key things I’d always recommend. Make sure you have the right clothing layers for the weather and environment, ample water, sun protection, and your phone with your chosen route. Make sure you tell a friend where you’re going and the time you’re expecting to finish your hike so they can check in with you if you haven’t returned by the expected time.
What are the dont’s of hiking?
Whatever type of hike you’re setting off on, there are a few key things to avoid:
- Going off trail: not only can this be damaging to the natural environment, it can also put you in a dangerous situation if you’re veering off of maintained paths.
- Being unprepared: researching the terrain of your trail beforehand can be really valuable, as well as checking the weather forecast and packing accordingly with sun and rain protection as needed.
- Overestimating your ability: it’s really important to build up your endurance with hiking, like any other athletic activity. Don’t set off for your first hike and choose a difficult route. Start with a shorter, easier route and build from there.
- Respect the natural environment: hikers live by the golden rule of ‘pack it in, pack it out.’ As important as taking any rubbish with you when you leave, actively trying to leave the trail better than you found it should really be the goal. This can be accomplished by picking up any litter you find, moving aside small bits of natural debris that have blown onto the trail, and by being courteous to others (human and non-human!) while on the trail.
What type of trails would you recommend to people wanting to try soft hiking for the first time?
If you’ve never hiked before, it’s always good to start with easier trails and work your way up. AllTrails, for example, has over 5000 hikes marked as ‘easy’ across Australia, which is the difficulty level I recommend for beginners. You can also filter by your preferred length of trail or duration of time, so you don’t have to worry about getting in over your head the first few times out.
Other apps that offer walking and hiking trails in Australia include Avenza Maps, Hipcamp, WikiCamps and Trailforks.
