Are you planning your first hike or you are seasonal hiker who is curious about hiking? This post is for you and anyone else interested in hiking.

Hiking is walking in nature for a long duration, this is mostly done at designated nature trails managed by a community or an organization. To be able to walk for long distance and to be able to do it frequently one has to be prepared psychologically, emotionally, financially and physically. This will involve buying quality and comfortable gears and being in a specific state of mind. In this blog I’m going to talk about the basic things that you’ll need to have for a comfortable and enjoyable hike.

• Clothing

Comfort and confidence are the key words when choosing what to wear to a hike. We all have different preferences and choices, choose what melts your heart and body. As much as ‘your dressing is your choice’ avoid hiking in bulky or very tight attires as they will make the hiking process uncomfortable and you might end up with an injury. Different hiking locations have different terrains and weather, dress according to that specific hiking location & weather for example wear breathable fabrics for hot climates or waterproof layers for wet terrains.

• Shoes

Just as with clothing, choose the kind of shoe you are comfortable and confident to walk in but ensure it has a good grip and it’s a size bigger. Good grip and ankle support helps you in maintain balance when walking through loose or slippery trails and a size bigger saves your toe from injury when hiking downhill. Don’t forget to wear socks, light socks for dry season and heavy socks for cold/wet terrain. A mixed up of the 2 will be a disaster i.e wearing heavy socks on a dry terrain will lead to sweaty feet and wearing light socks on a cold/wet terrain will lead to frostbites.

• Bag

Carrying a small to medium backpack is highly recommended because it frees your hands to do other things and it has enough storage to carry drinking water, snacks and other essentials. If you are going for a short hike that doesn’t need you to carry a lot of things you can use a fun bag. Ladies don’t carry a sling or clutch bag and gentlemen don’t bring a carrier bag to a hike. To evenly balance the weight on your back, pack the heavy stuff at the bottom and core part of your backpack then anything else at the top.

• Food/snacks & drinks

Before starting a hike ensure you’re well fed and hydrated. Hiking can be an intense workout exercise. To avoid using all your energy and collapsing along the way, you need to re-energize and hydrate during the hike. There is no limit on what you can carry as snacks and drinks, you are allowed to reward your body with your favorites. Avoid alcohol and energy drinks when hiking especially in high altitude hikes, they are a good ingredient for disaster. You can indulge in them after the hike.

• Pace

Walk at your own pace, stop keeping up with the team Subaru (very fast hikers) or the team tortoise (very slow hikers). Set a pace you’re comfortable with and stick to it. If you find it difficult to set your own pace get a hiking buddy or work with your guide’s pace.

Others: optional but good to have.

• A hiking pole for provide the extra support during the hike.
• Change of clothes in a different bag that you’ll leave in the car.
• Extra snacks for your hiking buddy.
• Glucose or sweets for quick energy.
• Painkillers and a first aid kit.
• A cap, sunglasses and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.
• Camera or phone to take photos.

Hiking is a beautiful and enjoyable activity open to all. In Kenya we are blessed with so many hiking trails, lets visit and explore them. It’s our duty to take care of the hiking trails so don’t litter or damage available facilities. I recommend the following hiking trails to beginners: Karura forest, Oloolua nature trail, Ngong hills & Ololosokuan nature trail. Have you been to these trails? How was your first time experience? Which other trail would you recommend?