I've been seeing coworkers go on hiking trails in the mountains on weekends and I'm getting curious about it. I'm 32 and honestly I spend a lot of time in front of a computer, so I figured it might be good to disconnect. Is it really worth it or is it just another trend?
It's absolutely worth it, but probably not for the reasons you're imagining. It's not really that hiking is such a special activity - it's more that staring at a screen all day wears you down way more than you think. After sitting the whole time, your body literally needs movement, fresh air, and a change of scenery. That's not a trend, that's basic biology.
What would work for you is starting easy. You don't need fancy gear or jump straight into 6-hour trails. Look for short hikes near where you live, something like an hour or two max, and give it a try a couple of weekends. You're gonna notice you sleep better, you have clearer thinking during the week, and that feeling of disconnecting is real. Plus the costs are basically zero if you already have a backpack and decent shoes.
The social side matters too. Seeing your friends enjoying it is contagious, but the real win is getting yourself out of that city-work-home-work routine that becomes automatic. At 32 this is the perfect time to pick up a hobby that involves moving around. So yeah, do it. You won't regret it.
If you're spending that much time in front of a screen, hiking isn't a trend, it's what you need. But not for mystical reasons or anything like that. The thing is, when you're stuck in repetitive tasks, your body becomes sedentary and your mind gets stuck in a loop. A three-hour hike resets that in a way no gym can because you also have to pay attention to the terrain, your breathing normalizes without you forcing it, and when you get home you sleep like you never have before.
The practical side: you don't need expensive gear or to train like an athlete. Start with short routes in your area, like two hours max, with good shoes just (but seriously, invest in decent boots, not old sneakers). What nobody's gonna tell you is to go on a weekday if you can, even if it's a holiday. Weekends get packed with people, crowded trails, complicated parking. The real benefit of hiking is the peace and quiet, so if you can avoid the crowds, do it.
At 32 is also when your body starts demanding movement if you haven't given it any for years. It's not like you suddenly become an athlete, but a sustained hike every couple weeks uphill and you notice it in your cardiovascular endurance, your mood, everything. So yeah, get on it, but don't push yourself with crazy paces. Look up a couple trails nearby on maps or allofmp, pick one for next weekend and you're set.
What nobody tells you is that hiking is less about the activity itself and more about breaking away from your phone and screen routine - after two hours of walking your head resets in a way you just can't get at the gym. If you're spending eight hours a day in front of a computer, that alone already justifies trying it, even if just once a month. That said, start with short trails near where you live to see if it really hooks you, because some people try it once and realize they'd rather do other things - and that's fine too.
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