I Started Hiking in my 40s & You Can Too

Have you ever experienced a moment when you rediscovered a love of something you once enjoyed as a kid? Well, that’s precisely what happened to me when I started hiking in my 40s and rediscovered my love of the great outdoors.

I can thank my parents for instilling a love of travel and the outdoors in me at an early age. From hiking the Grand Canyon to Sunday afternoon hikes, we always seemed to be surrounded by nature. If I’m being honest, as a moody middle schooler, I probably grumbled about it.

As I grew older, I had a deeper appreciation of nature and being outdoors. In nature, I discovered peace and relaxation. Even in my cross-country trail running days, the outdoors was my happy place.

For our family travels, we have always appreciated the outdoors and much prefer an uncrowded beach to a touristy location anytime. Hiking, however, wasn’t something we prioritized- and my connection to nature faded a bit. Family, work, and other commitments dominated our time. From cheering on our daughter at her soccer matches to watching our son play in golf tournaments- our schedules were full (and fun)!

Rekindled Passion for the Outdoors

However, sometimes life forces you to slow down, and that’s how I rediscovered hiking and my love of the great outdoors once again. For me, that was early 2020, around the time Covid became prevalent in the United States. Subsequently, our daughter decided to step away from soccer after a serious injury at that same time. We went from being busy busy all the time to having lots of free time on our hands.

Little did I know all it would take was one glorious hike to rekindle my passion for the outdoors. Truthfully, there was probably nothing glorious about my hiking skills on that particular day. But it was time well spent with my daughter and a view that made the steep two-mile hike uphill worth it. But it all came back to me- the sights, the sounds, and the smells of nature had a way of rejuvenating my spirit.

Embrace New Adventures

Over the years since then, we’ve had so many mom-daughter hikes, and I’m so grateful to have rediscovered something I once loved. From simple hikes close to home to a weekend hiking adventure in Zion National Park, it’s a reminder that, no matter our age, we’re never too old to embrace new adventures.

As I enjoy my last few years in my 40s, hiking has become more than just a hobby; it’s a way to recharge, unplug, and connect. I’m definitely not a hiking expert, nor probably very good at it. I’m clumsy and still, huff and puff, going uphill while my daughter hikes circles around me. But I know if I can do it, you can too.

So, if you’re considering picking up hiking in your 40s and are just getting started, take that first step onto the trail. A great starting place to find trails near you is All Trails. You might find, as I did, that the great outdoors is waiting to welcome you to the start of a new adventure.