Public green spaces like national parks and hiking trails offer us an affordable and easy escape from our daily routines. The combination of hiking and physical exercise outside has been proven to lead to increased physical, emotional, and behavioral well-being.
The presence and use of national parks is especially important in American culture because we have adopted a sedentary lifestyle. In fact, a study notes that 43% of the U.S. population is sedentary the majority of their lifetime. This percentage is by far the largest amount of inactivity in comparison to any other country worldwide.
Decreasing whole-body movements, like sitting inside, leads to an increase in sedentary behaviors and lifestyles in the United States. Within the past decade, more Americans have engaged in indoor-centered lifestyles leading to a range of health issues which studies note as nature-deficit disorder.
Nature-deficit disorder simply means that people are not outside enough. A study by the US National Library of Medicine National Institute of Health links sedentary behaviors and nature-deficit disorder to health issues like obesity, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, anxiety, depression, mental fatigue, and increasing stress levels. People who spend less than the recommended amount of time outside are more vulnerable to health issues like morbidity and premature death. Even though nature-deficit disorder is a fairly new term, we have known about the importance of being outside for centuries.
Dating back to the 19th century, parks were created to provide space for recreational activities when scientists and architects came to understand the connection between green space and health. Even so, we continue to build gyms indoors and promote 40 hour work weeks that require us to sit inside on a computer for a large chunk of our day.
So now the question is, how can we combat these health issues and the American sedentary lifestyle? We suggest hiking or biking.
So why choose hiking?
Based on the statistics, you’re most likely lacking time spent outdoors so we’re writing you a prescription for hiking.
In the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, research suggests that nature and green spaces increase well-being and health due to the following:
- 1Exposure to daylight, nature, and fresh air
- 2Participation in physical activity
- 3Restoration of mental and emotional health
- 4Time spent with other people
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Benefits of Hiking
Even though there are trails all over the United States, some of the most beautiful and exotic hiking trails run up and down the east coast. Cure nature-deficit disorder for good with some of the most beautiful views along the east coast that we will outline for you in this article.
So without further ado, here is a list of unique hiking experiences that will lift your mood and have you feeling better than ever before.
Summary of Hiking Trails
1. Grandfather Mountain Crest Trails
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Location |
Linville, North Carolina |
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Trails included |
Crest Trails are called Grandfather Trail and Underwood Trail. |
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Park Size |
Grandfather Mountain State Park has 12 miles of trails across 2,456 acres along mountain ridgeline. |
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Cost |
Access the Crest Trails for free from trailheads outside the state park attraction area. If you want to visit the swinging bridge, a pass is required which costs $20 per person. |
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Regulations |
Must return to vehicle by 6pm or other specified time which can be found at the visitor center. |
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Parking |
There is a parking lot with facilities in the visitor center. |
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Access |
Crest trail access is at the Top Shop parking lot, Hiker’s Parking Area, on through the Profile Trail or Daniel Boone Scout Trail. |
Grandfather Trail
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Duration of Hike |
Up to 2.5 hours one-way. |
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Length |
2.4 miles one-way. |
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Elevation |
5,964 feet |
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Elevation Gain |
2,100 feet |
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Difficulty |
Strenuous |
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Pets |
This trail is not pet friendly unless you have a little pup that you can fit in your backpack. |
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Who |
Not recommended for pets, children, or inexperienced hikers. |
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What you’ll need |
Water, snacks, proper hiking boots with good tread, and rain gear just in case. |
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What to expect |
Cables, ladders, rocky terrain, steep ledges. |
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Regulations |
Hikers are required to fill out a piece of paper with their name and vehicle descriptors. The park calls this a “permit” which is meant for safety purposes if you do not return to your vehicle by the designated time and is free. |
2. Ricketts Glen Fall Trail
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Location |
Benton, Pennsylvania |
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Park Size |
Ricketts Glen State Park contains 13.050 acres of land. |
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Duration of hike |
About 6-8 hours depending on how long you stop at each waterfall to take pictures or rest |
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Length |
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Elevation |
The highest elevation in the park is Mohawk Falls at 2,165 feet |
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Difficulty |
Moderate |
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Cost |
Free |
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Pets |
Dogs are welcome but must be on a leash at all times. |
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Who |
Dogs and hikers with all experience levels |
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What you’ll need |
Sturdy hiking boots or sneakers, and water and snacks. |
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What to expect |
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What you’ll need |
Sandals are prohibited. |
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Parking/Access |
3 parking lots for fall trail access:
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3. Katahdin Knife’s Edge Trail
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Location |
Millinocket, Maine |
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Park Size |
Baxter State Park is made up of 200,000 acres. |
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Duration of hike |
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Length |
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Elevation |
5,267 feet |
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Elevation gain |
about 4000 ft |
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Difficulty |
Extremely strenuous |
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Cost |
Register at one of the two gatehouses coming in. There will be an entrance fee if you do not have Maine plates on your vehicle. |
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Pets |
not dog or pet friendly |
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Who |
experienced hikers |
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What you’ll need |
water and food, hiking boots or proper footwear, hiking poles |
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What to expect |
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Parking |
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Access |
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4. Precipice Trail (Loop)
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Location |
Bar Harbor, Maine |
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Park Size |
Acadia National Park is 49, 052 acres. |
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Duration of hike |
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Length |
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Elevation |
1,058 feet |
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Difficulty |
Extremely strenuous |
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Cost |
annual entrance fee is $50, seven-day entrance pass is $25 for a private vehicle, $20 for a motorcycle, and $12 for an individual (can be purchased online) |
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Pets |
no dogs or pet permitted |
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Who |
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What you’ll need |
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What to expect |
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Regulations |
The trail can be closed late spring through mid-August because endangered peregrine falcons return to the area during that time. |
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Parking |
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Access |
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5. Franconia Ridge Loop
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Location |
Lincoln, New Hampshire |
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Park Size |
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Duration of hike |
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Length |
8.6 miles |
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Elevation |
increases about 3,500 feet in just 4 miles |
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Difficulty |
Challenging but not too strenuous |
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Cost |
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Pets |
Pet friendly, but the leash cannot exceed 6 feet in length for safety purposes |
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Who |
Hikers of all levels |
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What you’ll need |
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What to expect |
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Parking |
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Access |
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<p><strong>Please include attribution to https://www.conservationinstitute.org with this graphic.</strong><br /><br /><a href=’https://www.conservationinstitute.org/hiking-health-benefits/’><img src=’https://www.conservationinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/health-benefits-hiking-info-2-100.jpg’ alt=’Hiking Health Benefits: Hike To The Most Exotic Trails On The East Coast’ width=’100%’ border=’0′ /></a></p>
Conclusion
Experts agree that inactive adults partake in less than 150 minutes of walking or moderately intense physical activity each week and children engage in less than 60 minutes of strenuous physical exercise each day. Sedentary, indoor lifestyles and minimal exercise are quite common in the United States in both adults and children. Studies show that this new and consistent lifestyle results in health issues that are potentially lethal.
Now that you are aware that a lack of outdoor exposure and increasing sedentary lifestyles are dangerous for your well-being, start making time for self-care. Plan a weekend or day-trip to one of these unique hiking trails along the East Coast to increase your well-being and quality of life today.
Your prescription for hiking will always have unlimited refills.
