Conquer Your Dream Hike: You Don't Have to Be a Hiker to Start

I hear this all the time: “I want to hike, but I’m not a hiker.” Maybe you walk regularly or work out, but you wouldn’t consider yourself super fit. Perhaps you’re older and unsure if you can keep up. Maybe you’ve never really hiked before. Or there’s a specific hike you’ve been dreaming about, but when you see the mileage and elevation gain, you think, there’s no way I could do that.

I understand why people feel that way. We often look at a mountain, a long trail, or a big elevation gain and compare it to what our bodies can do right now. But what you can do today doesn't have to determine what you'll be capable of six months or a year from now.

You don't have to be capable of the hike today. You have to be willing to prepare for it.

Start Where You Are

You don't have to already be a hiker to start training for hiking. You don't have to be fast, hike ten miles every weekend, or be in amazing shape. You don't have to be young, either.

You start where you are. If you've never worked out before, begin by building a foundation of strength and walking regularly. If you already exercise but haven't hiked much, gradually add distance, elevation, and time on your feet. If you already hike but want to tackle something bigger, start training specifically for that goal.

Your starting point doesn't determine your destination. It just determines where you begin.

One of the biggest things I hear from people who want to hike is, “I don't think I can keep up,” or “I don't think I can hike that far.” And maybe right now, you can't. That's okay.

If you told me you wanted to run a marathon but had never run before, I wouldn't expect you to go out tomorrow and run 26.2 miles. You'd train for it. You'd build your endurance, strengthen your body, gradually increase your mileage, and give yourself time to adapt. Hiking is no different.

A big hike isn't something you have to be capable of before you start preparing for it. It's something you can train your way toward. That's one of the things I love about hiking. There is always another level—a longer trail, more elevation, a bigger mountain, a new destination. You don't have to be ready for all of it at once. You just have to be willing to work toward it.

You Can Train for the Hike You Want to Do

A lot of people think the best way to train for hiking is simply to hike more. Hiking is important. You need to walk, spend time on trails, and get your body accustomed to longer distances, elevation, uneven terrain, and the things you'll encounter outside.

But strength matters too. Your legs must push you uphill repeatedly. They have to control you on the way down. Your feet and ankles need to handle uneven ground. Your hips and core must stabilize you. If you're carrying a pack, your entire body deals with additional load.

That's why strength training is crucial for preparing for a big hike. I'm not talking about getting strong to brag about how much you can lift. I'm talking about building a body that can handle the demands you want to place on it. Your muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and cardiovascular system all need time to adapt.

And you don't have to live in the mountains to prepare for a mountain. I live in Georgia, so I often hear this question: “How am I supposed to train for mountains when I don't live in the mountains?”

We have great hiking and elevation in North Georgia, and getting outside on the trails is an important part of preparation. But you can also recreate many hiking demands right in the gym. Step-ups and box work can challenge your legs. Sled work can build strength and conditioning. Loaded movements can prepare you for carrying a pack.

You can get creative. You can train for the demands of the mountain before you ever get there.

The Importance of Preparation

Preparation isn't just about strength. It also means paying attention to the little things that can make or break a hike. I've seen people rely on tape or knee braces instead of addressing their strength and conditioning. I've seen people underestimate the importance of footwear. I've seen people jump into a big hike without giving their bodies enough time to adapt.

The goal isn't to find a way to get through a difficult hike while ignoring what your body is telling you. The goal is to build a body that is prepared to handle the demands you're going to put on it.

Age doesn’t have to be a barrier, either. Some of the people I hike with are in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. They aren't sitting around talking about their age. They're out there hiking. I see people much older than me tackling long, difficult trails, and honestly, they're an inspiration.

I'm Putting This Philosophy to the Test

I don't believe in asking people to do something I'm not willing to do myself. In February, I'll start training for my first 14er—Pikes Peak in Colorado. A few others will train with me, and we're planning to take on the mountain at the end of June.

Right now, I'm not capable of simply deciding tomorrow to climb Pikes Peak and expecting it to be a great day. But that's not the point. The point is that I have months to prepare.

We'll build strength. We'll work on conditioning. We'll spend time on the trail. We'll get our bodies accustomed to longer days and more elevation. We'll figure out what we need to work on and then keep working on it. By the time we get to Colorado, I want to know that we did everything we could to prepare.

That's how I approach hiking in general. I'm not training because I know exactly what hike I'm going to do next. I'm training because I don't know. I want to be ready for the opportunity.

And I think that's what I want you to take away from this. If there's a hike you've been thinking about but keep telling yourself you're not a hiker, not fit enough, too old, too slow, or not ready, stop looking only at what you can do today.

Think about what you could become capable of with the right preparation. You don't have to be ready for the hike today. You don't have to be the fastest person in the group. You don't have to be in perfect shape. You don't have to have years of hiking experience.

You just have to be willing to put in the work to become stronger and more capable.

Make Your Hiking Dreams a Reality

Pick the hike. Make a plan. Put in the work. And then go see what you're capable of.

Remember, the journey to your dream hike starts with a single step. Embrace the process. Enjoy the training. Celebrate the small victories along the way. Each step brings you closer to your goal.

So, lace up your boots, grab your gear, and let’s hit the trails together. You’ve got this!