Turning Ho-Hum Hiking into Thrilling Treks: Uncommon Ways to Beat Boring Hikes
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Lace up those boots and hit the trails! That's the call to action for National Hiking Day on May 14th. But sometimes, the little ones aren't up for it, or the next beautiful forest is miles away. Fear not, there are several creative approaches to make your next hiking adventure anything but debilitating.
Urban Hiking in Essen
The thought of venturing into pristine nature may sound inviting, but if concrete jungles are more your scene, urban hiking might be just the ticket. cities like Essen are transforming necessity into virtue with urban hiking, drawing hikers into densely developed cityscapes. The Zollverein Trail in Essen takes you past former slag heaps, coking plants, and industrial sites, culminating in the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Zollverein. Smart footwear like sneakers should suffice for these city excursions, and most routes are insta-worthy with plenty of photo-ops showcasing the old industrial culture.
The Ruhr region intends to double-down on urban hiking by adding 15 more trails through cities by 2027, providing even more opportunities to explore urban landscapes on foot. "The Ruhr region with its raw edges can appeal to almost no other destination," says Christoph Lottritz, project manager of Ruhr Tourism GmbH.
Adventures Galore for the Entire Family
Hiking can be an adventure for everyone, as long as it's planned well. "The worst thing is when the parents want to hike 20 kilometers straight ahead, and the children are bored to tears," Benjamin Stapf, adventure educator at the Naturfreundehaus Hardt in Bergisch Gladbach, shares. His secret - plan for small, exciting adventures along the way.
Give children a say in choosing the hiking routes, whether they lead to a ruin, a river mouth, or a secluded grove. Schedule ample time for discovery and exploration, allowing children the chance to play and let their imaginations run wild. If you find a wing feather on the trail, make up stories about the bird that lost it as you walk along. A picnic or an ice cream stop mid-hike could serve as well-deserved rewards for little hikers.
Hiking with Four-Legged Friends
Walking side-by-side with exotic animals can make any hike unique. Llama treks in Gelsenkirchen offer travelers a chance to escape the daily grind and experience something special. "Most people are looking for relaxation and tranquility, just want to unwind," says Andrea Eikelmann, who organizes llama hikes with Prachtlamas in Gelsenkirchen. "Llamas have something so gentle, friendly," she says. "They accept people as they are and radiate warmth in their hearts. That just does good."
Every llama hike kicks off with an hour introduction to let visitors get acquainted with the animals. Visitors can then choose from various, multi-length hikes with the llamas. "Being so close to an animal and sharing an adventure, that's something special," says Eikelmann.
Immersive Sensory Experiences: Forest Bathing
Forest bathing, or Shinrin-yoku, a Japanese practice that focuses on connecting with nature through the senses, has been gaining popularity in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW). Providers escort small groups on a slow, sensory exploration of the forest, often combined with yoga exercises. Germany's first forest bathing trail can be found in Kalletal (Circle Lippe) in the Teutoburg Forest, offering visitors ten stations to connect with the forest using audio apps and purposeful exercises.
Extreme Hiking for the Brave-Hearted
pushing limits and going the extra mile - that's extreme hiking. However, without adequate training and preparation, distances of 42 kilometers, 75, or even 100 kilometers are out of reach for beginners. Nevertheless, extreme tours, usually expert-led, are becoming more popular. Over 13,000 people participated in the Mammoth March Ruhr in recent years, with another Mammoth March NRW planned for July, offering hikers 75- and 100-kilometer routes starting and ending in Essen.
For those just starting their long-distance hiking journey, August 30th may be a more achievable goal - with night hikes of 30 and 42 kilometers in Duisburg North Landscape Park.
- For urban dwellers seeking a unique hiking experience, cities like Essen offer urban hiking routes, such as the Zollverein Trail, which showcase historical industrial sites and are perfect for smart footwear like sneakers.
- To ensure hiking is an enjoyable adventure for the entire family, consider planning short, exciting journeys, offering ample time for discovery and exploration, and allowing children to have a say in selecting the routes.
- Llama treks in Gelsenkirchen provide an opportunity to bond with friendly animals and experience a unique hiking adventure, while cultural excursions like forest bathing, rooted in the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, offer immersive sensory experiences in nature.
- Extreme hiking is for the brave-hearted, with expert-led tours offering distances of up to 100 kilometers, while beginners might find night hikes of 30 and 42 kilometers in Duisburg North Landscape Park a more achievable goal.
- To make the most of your hiking experiences, it's important to invest in vocational training to ensure a safe and enjoyable adventure for both you and your four-legged friends, or for the little ones who tag along, planning adventures that cater to their interests can help maintain their enthusiasm.
