Do you prefer walking in the concrete jungle or striding in the green forest? Hiking is a favorite outdoor activity worldwide, whether a brief encounter or the more adventurous kind requiring great physical strength and stamina. With an endless supply of hills and mountains, we always have a new summit we can conquer every weekend. Our hiking quotes below summarize the hardships, fulfillment, and rewards of this strenuous activity.
Just like camping, the number of Americans who started hiking had exponential growth during the pandemic. And as of 2021, almost 59 million people have engaged in hiking activities at least once. So, after reading our collection of hiking quotes in this article, you can head over to our camping quotes for more insights about the outdoors.
Are you ready for the ascent? Get ready for the adventure with our curated hiking quotes below.
Quick links to our selection of hiking quotes:
We don't need to climb a mountain to hike. All we need to do is to walk in nature. So if you are intimidated by hiking gears, tools, and outfits, don't be. Instead, grab any shoes you have and start walking!
Then, as you gradually fall in love with hiking, you can begin investing in appropriate shoes, eco-friendly backpacks, sustainable outdoor wear, and other essentials. Finally, you can start hiking in national forests in your state. The National Park Service has a simple directory to help you find your next hiking trail.
Start your hiking life after you check out our favorite hiking quotes below.
"Hiking is not escapism; it’s realism. The people who choose to spend time outdoors are not running away from anything; we are returning to where we belong."
"Adventure awaits. Grab your hiking boots and get ready for new adventures."
"The trail leads not merely north and south, but up to the body, mind, and soul of man."
"Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you are climbing it."
Walking slows our fast-paced life. It has many benefits, but getting outdoors and walking in nature can multiply them.
For example, one advantage of hiking mountains over walking in the city is maintaining memory. We exercise our hippocampus as we navigate the forest without street names or landmarks.
In a study, two groups took a quick memory test. One walked through a botanical garden, while the other strolled through a city. After their return, subjects underwent another quick memory test. The nature walk participants scored 20% higher than they had on the initial test, while the urban control group showed no significant improvement1.
After reading the next set of hiking quotes, walk through the wilderness and improve your recall. For destination inspiration, you might also like to read up on our mountain quotes and forest quotes. You might also like to read up on the benefits nature has on our mental health.
"The experienced mountain climber is not intimidated by a mountain he is inspired by it."
"Returning home is the most difficult part of long-distance hiking. You have grown outside the puzzle and your piece no longer fits."
"Walking: the most ancient exercise and still the best modern exercise."
"Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn. Climb that goddamn mountain."
"Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit, and as vital to our lives as water and good bread."
"On a hike, the days pass with the wind, the sun, the stars; movement is powered by a belly full of food and water, not a noxious tankful of fossil fuels. On a hike, you’re less a job title and more a human being. A periodic hike not only stretches the limbs, but also reminds us: Wow, there’s a big old world out there."
Every part of hiking - the uphill, peak, and downhill - can be related to our lives. Most hiking quotes we gravitate towards are about perseverance in our uphill struggles in life. Climbing a mountain teaches us to have the grit to overcome every gigantic boulder and uneven terrain of our lives until we reach the summit, our goals.
Angela Duckworth researched all about grit being a significant predictor of success. In this Ted Talk, she defined grit as "passion and perseverance for very long-term goals." Similar to mountain hiking which could take hours, our ultimate life goals also require patience and mental toughness.
After reading the inspirational hiking quotes below, you can check where you are in this Grit Scale quiz.
"When everything feels like an uphill struggle, Just think of the view from the top."
"I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."
"The hardest mountain to climb is the one within."
"The best view comes after the hardest climb."
"May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing views. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds."
"Fall down seven times and stand up eight."
"If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn’t lead anywhere."
"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
When talking about hiking, who's the famous person on top of your mind? Probably Edmund Hillary, the first man to reach the summit of Mt. Everest on May 29, 1953.
But do you know the father of America's National Park System? He is no other than John Muir, a famous environmentalist, and naturalist. He protected and fought for forest lands threatened by commercial developments for many years.
His dedication eventually influenced President Roosevelt, leading to his conservation legacy. Through their efforts, we are now enjoying 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands totaling 193 million acres, according to the Forest Service of USDA.
To guide you up the mountain, read the hiking quotes below by John Muir and other climbing experts.
"Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity."
"Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt."
"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine into trees."
"One day’s exposure to mountains is better than a cartload of books."
"It’s not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves."
"People do not decide to become extraordinary. They decide to accomplish extraordinary things."
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."
"Walking is a man’s best medicine."
Messy hair and dog-like panting are some of the hilarious memories we have during hiking with friends. But, aside from having fun, we should always be cautious about apparent risks - slips, falls, animal bites, lightning, dehydration, and many more.
As we climb elevations higher than 8,000 feet above sea level, dangers will multiply, and we should now be mindful of altitude illness. The best way to prevent it is to consult your doctor first, or you can read this comprehensive guide by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Make hiking a fun experience by following safety reminders. Meanwhile, read the funny hiking quotes below that will ease you during the ascent.
"I might look like I am listening to you, but in my mind, I am hiking."
"Bring a compass. It’s awkward when you have to eat your friends."
"I’ve never understood treadmills when there’s so many trails to hike."
"Sleeping bags are the soft tacos of the bear world."
Even if you're hiking for the first or the hundredth time, some of us can't avoid sharing it on social media before the hike day. We post our gear, clothes, and overall excitement. But the preparation is more complex.
We should also educate our online friends on how we ready our bodies for the grueling long climb and high altitude. Preparation usually takes days or weeks, depending on the demand of the trek.
If we engage in regular aerobic exercises and strength training a couple of times each week, our general fitness will increase, making our hike more pleasant. So if you're planning to become a long-distance hiker, always consult a professional on the best training program.
No need for lengthy quotes about hiking trails, these inspirational and funny hiking captions for Instagram are perfect word nuggets to share before your ascent.
"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."
"A walk in nature walks the soul back home."
"We don’t stop hiking because we grow old, we grow old because we stop hiking."
"Do more things that make you forget to check your phone."
"To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles."
"There is always an adventure waiting in the woods."
"After a day’s walk, everything has twice its usual value."
"Anywhere is 'within walking distance."
"There is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing."
"Each fresh peak ascended teaches something."
| 1 | Berman, M. G., Jonides, J., & Kaplan, S. (2008). The Cognitive Benefits of Interacting With Nature. Psychological Science, 19(12), 1207–1212. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02225.x |
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