Hiking. Ever tried it? Maybe you have visions of dusty trails on steep slopes. Or, possibly you believe it's nothing but insect bites, blisters and sore legs. Doesn't seem like a ton of fun, does it?

Sure, hiking may some of those things. However, with the proper techniques, equipment, guidance and preparation you can enjoy all the many positives that are included with time spent hiking: 

• Fresh air
• The beauty of God's creation
• Healthy exercise
• Solitude or companionship

And with a bit of knowledge you can avoid the bad things and simply enjoy the wonderful benefits of a day spent hiking in the wilderness.
Let me first be clear about exactly what hiking is and what it isn't:

• Hiking isn't mountain climbing, even though you can hike up some mountains. Mountain climbing involves using gear and techniques to scale steep inclines. Mountain climbing is an adventure sport that can be rather dangerous.
• Hiking can be part of kayaking, fishing, hunting or other outdoor activities. But those, along with exploring caves (spelunking), canyoning plus many other exciting outdoor activities are not the same as hiking. Most of those other things are much more vigorous and require specialized equipment and training and come along with their own set of risks.

About the only time hikers confront anything remotely serious is when they get lost in wilderness areas or wonder into a confrontation with God's creatures like snakes, pumas or even bears.  With a bit of knowledge and planning those dangers can be significantly reduced.

All you need to get started hiking is some good boots, the appropriate outdoor clothing and access to an area that allows you to enjoy the experience.

You can find decent hiking boots or hiking shoes at hundreds of places online and in a wide variety of price ranges.  Similarly, outdoor clothing in every price range, style and design can be found on over a hundred sites. Picking out the right socks, pants, shirt and jacket isn't hard if you keep in mind the area and weather. A few hints in the right direction will go a long way.

Lots of other gear can help make your experience more enjoyable. Poles, GPS units or an old school compass, backpacks, containers and an array of other items like bug spray, burn cream, bandages can make life on the trail a lot more pleasant.

You'll want to consider a few common sense safety guidelines before you go very far beyond your local trail-lined hills. It's possible to get lost even in very small patches of forest. Snakes and other wildlife can turn a refreshing outing into an adventure you should only see on TV.

But after some modest instruction and preparation, you can quickly be ready for some stellar hikes. With a little more expert guidance and a bit of experience, you can soon branch out into overnight or longer hikes. Within a few months or less, you can tackle even the toughest trails.

Get ready for the adventure, because it's all there waiting for you at the head of the trail. Walk on!