For us that is a big question with no single answer. We will do our best to give you an idea anyway. And why is that you may think? Hiking isn’t just one thing. Hiking is a lot of things. Therefore, we have a lot of reasons to hike. But we’ll try to narrow it down to seven bullet points.

Our seven reasons why

Fun fact, Ditte wrote her master thesis in Psychology about hiking, it’s called: “Hiking from within: A psychological exploration of hiking”. Her thesis explores motives for hiking and the connection between motivational factors and outcomes from hiking as a nature-based recreational activity. As we both subjectively agree with her findings, we’ve used her thesis as inspiration to better explain why we hike and also why we think you should give it a try.

1. A way to detach from everyday life and relax

Hiking is for us the opportunity for a positive and relaxing experience in natural surroundings. An activity that provides feelings of peace, freedom and tranquility. A way to get a complete break from the outside world or from having to deal with it at least. We use hiking to relax from the stressors and everyday circumstances that are part of modern life. Quite literally we physically distance ourselves from modern life, but mentally we do as well. When hiking we don’t find ourselves in the ever running hamster-wheel, it becomes a form of “beneficial escape” from everyday life.

We choose to wake up at dawn because we want to. Not because our jobs require it. We choose to hike in sometimes challenging terrain and weather conditions, because we find value in it and want to. Not because we are told to do so or gain anything external from it. Hiking is also a way to escape from social media and technology. No secret that we love to make videos and photography while hiking. That is an enjoyable passion of ours. But we don’t check our social media when hiking, our phones are on silent and packed away. All disturbances from the outside world simply become irrelevant. So do deadlines at work along with other commitments and things to worry about in everyday life.

It is difficult to describe, but in some way life just becomes simpler when out hiking. As though the basics of one’s existence narrows down to its basic elements. Where all unnecessary or stressful stuff is placed in the background, where you yourself suddenly have the control and opportunity to deal with it. When and if you want to. Hiking can be a way of finding peace and simplicity in contrast – or even better in addition – to everyday life.

2. Experiencing and connecting with nature

Obviously hiking offers the perfect opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the vast nature, to be in and connect with it. We’ll never be bored by what nature has to offer. Everything from the awe-striking, breathtaking views, diverse scenery along the trail, to wildlife encounters, the small details and moments along the way. No matter where in the world it is or what trail we’re hiking on.

As with many others we “feel at home” in nature. Being in nature is a place of peace and comfort no matter what it entails. Without sounding too hocus-pocus alike; hiking and the chance to immerse ourselves in nature, gives us a sense of belonging to nature and something greater than ourselves.

We don’t know if you have experienced it, but the awesome experience of feeling extremely small while being surrounded by this seemingly never ending landscape, in this huge world. Not as if you don’t matter, but suddenly really feeling like being a part of something bigger than your own little bubble. A world where you are not the epicenter. In our opinion, it is a very cool experience from time-to-time to be reminded that outside of the hamster-wheel, there is a much bigger world, where you matter but it is not all about you. It is about everything and everyone. Somehow hiking can foster a feeling of relatedness and connection to the outside world.

3. Social interactions and relationships

Being out there also provides opportunities to connect with others on a deeper level than usual. As many other hikers we appreciate the opportunities to have time with, support as well as receive support from others. The social aspect of hiking is an important and really enjoyable part of the activity. As a couple we have definitely learned a lot about each other but also about us as a team. It has absolutely improved our relationship, all the while we have had fun together, been able to push each other, tackled challenges together and shared so many memorable, amazing experiences.

Meeting new people, forming bonds, feeling as a part of a larger group and community is definitely just as big a part of hiking. Weirdly enough, but we do feel some kind of belonging and shared experience with fellow hikers, literally strangers, we meet on the trail. People intentionally wanting to hike alone often also report feeling some kind of belonging to a larger group or community.

When hiking in a group, even though we are all more or less strangers, relationships form quite instantly. Somehow “the rules” of forming bonds when hiking is so different from everyday life. After a very short period of time, you can end up feeling extremely close to people whom you’ve just met.

Other than having the activity at hand in common, maybe it is due to many being more vulnerable and open when hiking. At least that is our experience. People tend to be more authentic, open up quicker, be less judgy, more down to earth and happier when out on the trail. Or else it just is the kind of people you’ll meet when out hiking. Nonetheless, we find that meeting people when hiking is a lot different – in the best way – than meeting people in “real and modern life”.

4. Potential for reflection and contemplation

We’ve already described what hiking in nature does for us. What better opportunity to reflect and immerse oneself in oneself and the surroundings? Hiking in nature, away from the everyday conditions and stressors of everyday life, for us facilitates immersion and reflective processes. It gives us the opportunity to, time and room for reflecting on both the past, present and future. So not only to reflect on here-and-now experiences, but also to create perspective over time and in different contexts.

While hiking our thoughts span across a lot of different things. Everything from how our hiking experiences can be beneficial in our daily lives and surroundings, experiences we have had, dreams we have and how to achieve them, to immersing ourselves in deeper introspection and self-reflection. When away from modern life, its responsibilities and distractions, it is so much easier to embrace whatever thoughts that emerge. No matter if the thoughts are about recent life changes, complex life issues, important memories, taking stock of one’s life, or things much simpler. Or matters that may have nothing to do with you – those can be very simple but also abstract to an extent where no answers exist.

It feels good to let your mind be free like that. Hiking can feel like a form of mindfulness; allowing open attention to internal and external events that increases awareness and reflections processes. We have often come up with our most creative, joyful, meaningful and best thoughts and ideas when hiking. Probably not a coincidence, huh?

5. Active search for challenges

Hopefully not a surprise for anyone: hiking can be hard “work” and still involves routine everyday elements such as sleeping, dressing and eating. We can never really escape from all responsibilities and distractions, which probably is a good thing. The physical and mental parts of hiking for sure can be demanding as well. It is not always easy and completely joyful to hike many kilometers in harsh terrain with a lot of elevation gain, having absolutely no control over sometimes awful weather conditions. Another reason why we love to hike: the challenging elements.

We both, as a lot of fellow hikers, have a desire to challenge ourselves, learn our limits, and achieve feelings of achievement and success. To be clear, we don’t mean achievement and success as you may think it does. It is not to receive external recognition from anybody, reach a quantitative goal or anything like it. We mean the achievement of new competencies, pushing and expanding our boundaries, overcoming things we feared or doubted was achievable, succeeding in reaching the goals we’ve set for ourselves, getting out of the comfort zone and daring to keep searching actively for new ways to challenge ourselves both mentally and physically. Common for all of it; the mental and physical challenges of hiking is the reward in themselves.

6. Striving for personal development and growth

Challenging ourselves and developing skills can also be seen as a means to achieve personal development and growth. That is how we see and feel it. Hiking in general helps us to grow and develop both as individuals and as a couple.

By dealing with challenges while hiking, we seek a deeper understanding of our abilities and gain insight into our strengths and limitations. Overcoming physical and mental challenges can also be a way to find and get to know ourselves better, which in turn creates new opportunities for improving our potential. A process further improved and helped along by the aforementioned potential for reflection and contemplation provided by the activity.

By hiking we have gotten a deeper understanding of our values, goals, and dreams through immersion in and reflection on experiences, feelings, thoughts, and general life experiences. The activity also provides a space where we can challenge ourselves without, or at least with fewer external influences and expectations weighing in.

Not that “Rome was built in one day”. Our personal growth and development from hiking spans over several hiking tours, countless hours and kilometers, spread over several years. And every time we go out there, we learn something new, unexpected. Sometimes it is a big revelation, other times we might not even notice it or any changes. It mostly happens over time, especially retrospectively when reflecting backwards and thereby being more able to recognize the differences.

7. A meaningful and meaning-promoting activity

Last but not least: the feeling of meaningfulness. Have you ever felt confused about what your part in this world is, what to do with your life or who you are? You know, those big existential questions. We have in some way or another. When we are out hiking, either those questions don’t really matter or they just make sense. It is hard to explain. But everything just feels in the right place. Maybe it is because we without any doubt can be our best, most authentic and chilled selves when in the outdoors – a true inner peace. Or the sense of belonging to nature and something greater than ourselves. Probably both. Meaning in life is not something we’ve ever actively searched for, the feeling of meaningfulness just happens along the way.

Not in a spiritual way, but we have multiple times experienced how our thought processes and conversations during hiking have provided more clarity over some bigger life events and decisions. How it has led to changed perspectives and helped guide us towards a more happy, meaningful life with the direction we truly wanted. To know more about what really gives our life value and meaning and pursue it more purposefully.

What is your reason?

So, whether you hike to clear your mind, to challenge your limits, or simply to feel alive in nature, we believe there’s something deeply meaningful waiting for everyone out there on the trail. With that said, these seven reasons why hiking means so much to us, are of course not the only reasons. As mentioned in the very beginning, “Hiking isn’t just one thing. Hiking is a lot of things”.

We would very much like to hear what your reason for hiking is. Feel free to send us a message in the comment section below..

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Hi there! We are Ditte & Benjamin, a couple going for our dream. We have said goodbye to our known life in Denmark, and hello to an unknown life abroad.

Tag along on our adventure as we explore the wide world, tell stories, embrace the journey and create a life where every horizon is just the beginning. Sharing raw, authentic, and breathtaking moments from a life without limits.