We’ve all heard people talk about going on amazing journeys with their romantic partners while hiking. According to Loveaholics, the main reasons couples drift apart are stress and anxiety at work. Therefore, it is so important to pause work and change your environment to fresh forest air and wild landscapes. If you are interested in the benefits of hiking, check out our other post, but this article will discuss the great benefits for your relationship, as well as tips to get your partner involved, and keep both individuals happy and excited about hiking as a couple.
Tips For Hiking Couples
Hiking with a partner can be incredibly rewarding, and can strengthen relationships greatly. With this being said, hiking involves hard work, it involves patience, and may involve teamwork, patience, and careful thought to ensure both parties have a great time. This is especially the case if one member of the relationship is already an avid hiker and the other is not. These tips will help you both ensure a good time.
- Pick The Right Hike – Picking a hike within both partners ability levels, and comfort levels is extremely important. DO NOT attempt an extremely difficult hike for someones first time hike. You’ll want to strategically select a hike that has a rewarding payoff, but still involves a little bit of hard work. The combination of accomplishment for actually putting in effort, and a beautiful place is key to a great first experience. Finding that balance is hard, but you need to know your partner’s abilities and feelings. Sometimes hiring a hiking guide is a great way to find the best hikes near you, and gain some great local knowledge as well as general hiking/camping safety knowledge. We highly recommend you start small with your hikes.
- Have Patience – In many cases, one partner may be in better shape than the other. Patience and understanding is key here. Be willing to go slower, and don’t rush the other person. Make them feel like you are having a good time. The best rule of thumb is to have the slower person stay in front and set the pace. Don’t separate with far distances
- Bring Food – What’s better than amazing views, good weather, and a little hard work? All of that with good healthy food. Packing some lightweight, nutritious and healthy food, or even some sweet stuff can just top off an incredible day. Sandwiches, cookies, or whatever you like is a great option.
- Gear Up, Fuel Up, Hydrate – You should be fully prepared for your hike. Do the research, know how to get there, know about parking information, how long it will take, how much food and water you need, and bring the gear you need for the location and weather. Not having the right gear and nutrition is not only dangerous, but it can really easily degrade or ruin what could be a quality day.
- Take Pictures – We don’t mean take an overbearing amount of pictures of the beauty, or tons of selfies. Just one or two pictures will suffice. Something to remember that you did this hike together. Recalling good memories becomes a lot easier with a few photos, and will inspire you to plan your next trip.
As you both get more comfortable and experienced hiking, you can begin to set goals, do more difficult hikes, and visit even more beautiful places. Have an incredible journey!
Why Hiking Can Help Your Relationship
People get bogged down in the sheer mundanity of their own lives, and it makes them more likely to be annoyed with one another. They’re tired of doing the laundry and scrubbing the counters after work, and they miss the times when they could go on adventures with one another. In order to restart that relationship on a positive note, you may need a break. One of the best ways to do that is to remove yourself from that negative situation and go to a place that is unique. What is more unlike your home than the woods and mountains? The sharp contrast to your everyday life can put you in a much better mental space in terms of your relationship.
Outdoor activities teaches patience and mutual assistance
Sometimes, you need to work with your partner to find out why you still need each other. In order to make that a reality, you’ll need to put yourselves in a situation where you require help. Anytime you’re in the real outdoors, you are immediately in a position where your partner becomes your lifeline. If you are setting up tents or trying to climb over a large rock, then you’re going to need your partner to help you out. Not only will you and your partner come to rely on each other and become closer as a result, but you’ll also learn to be patient with each other. You’re both attempting to overcome the hiking trails together, so you have to be aware of your partner’s strengths and weaknesses to help you fill in the gaps. That requires patience, and when you are patient with your romantic partner, you will realize the necessity of your relationship.
This dynamic is similar of one member of your relationship is already a big time hiker. Here, patience is key, helping your partner, and encouraging them through difficult areas, or long treks.
New joint adventures and emotions
Going to new places with someone can create a very strong bond. They will remember that they went to that place with you for the rest of their life. The adventures that you embark on with your significant other will take you to unfamiliar places. At those places, you’ll both benefit from the support coming from your partner. That’s not all, though. The new adventures will push both of you to realize that you have a very good relationship that only needs to be refreshed and renewed once in a while. That way, you wipe away the boring nature of everyday life and replace it with constant memories of the places that you’ve gone to. The emotional value of these adventures will bond you and your partner even more than most other activities. So, make sure that you go out there and explore with your partner and welcome the impacts that it has on your relationship.
The last point that you must consider with regards to dating and hiking is that it can refresh your body and soul. The modern human being doesn’t get nearly as much exercise as their predecessors because of our changing work habits. Going on hikes will ensure that you’re using your back and leg muscles in a significant way, leading to the development of those muscles. Instead of your body wasting away behind a desk and your muscles atrophying, you’ll build strength that will allow you to go farther every time.
Also, you’ll find that you can approach more challenging hiking areas after you’ve worked on some of the easier trails. Whether you’re living in a suburban area or urban area like most people, there are times when you can feel drained by the presence of homes and businesses. Going out for a hike with your partner can feel incredibly motivating. It will mend your spirit to be away from everyone, and it will allow you to focus on the interactions between you and your partner.
Hiking can have a profound impact on relationships. Not only do people get the opportunity to be alone with their significant other, but they get to build on their relationship in a private setting and add in some additional exercise. Not all the benefits of going out on a hike are for both people. Sometimes, it’s just nice to get away from the normal aspects of life and enjoy yourself in the middle of nowhere. Remember to make sure you know the path and have safety measures in place before you go on a hike, and you can focus more on having fun than being worried.
Max DesMarais is the founder of hikingandfishing.com. He has a passion for the outdoors and making outdoor education and adventure more accessible. Max is a published author for various outdoor adventure, travel, and marketing websites. He is an experienced hiker, backpacker, fly fisherman, backcountry skier, trail runner, and spends his free time in the outdoors. These adventures allow him to test gear, learn new skills, and experience new places so that he can educate others. Max grew up hiking all around New Hampshire and New England. He became obsessed with the New Hampshire mountains, and the NH 48, where he guided hikes and trail runs in the White Mountains. Since moving out west, Max has continued climbed all of the Colorado 14ers, is always testing gear, learning skills, gaining experience, and building his endurance for outdoor sports. You can read more about his experience here: hikingandfishing/about