Take time for a family hike

Shared by Braylin Davis – Intern, as Guest Blogger.

Virginia State Parks has many different trails that range from beginner trails to trails that make it even hard for hiking experts to keep up. Whether you are planning on taking an easy stroll around a lake or hiking to the peak of Molly’s Knob, here are ten tips that are sure to make your hike a success!

Traveling the Trails: Top 10 tips from Virginia State Parks

1. Make Sure to Choose the Right Trail for You. You don’t want to dive headfirst into a hike that may not be the best for you. Studying the different trails ahead of time will make it easier for you to pick which trail would be best for your skill level. Starting small and eventually working your way up to more intense trails is also an awesome way to see all that the parks have to offer.

2. Familiarize Yourself with the Trail. It’s never a good thing to head into a trail blind. Studying the trail before you start your trek is essential to make sure no one veers off the path and ends up lost in the forest. Sticking the marked trail will make it easier to stay on track and end up at your destination faster. Trail guides are also available to print from our website, but you can also take a photo of the particular trail’s map at the trailhead kiosk for something larger and in color.

Download a trail guide or pick one up in the Discovery Center before you head out on the trail.

3. Check the Forecast Before You Head Out. No one wants to be in the middle of the trail when it starts to rain without the proper equipment; or, on the other hand, not bring any sunblock and be baked by the sun during your hike. Checking the weather a few hours before your hike can help to keep your hiking plans on track instead of being surprised on the trail.

4. Tell Someone You Will Be Hiking. Telling someone how long you expect to be hiking could literally save your life. Nature can be very unexpected, so making sure someone knows where you are and when you should be finished is very important.

5. Make Sure to Bring What You Need. Bringing a map of the trail is always a smart move; making sure you do not get lost is the number one priority on the trails. Having a good amount of water is also very important because becoming dehydrated on a hike never ends well. It would also be beneficial to bring a small first aid kit to be on the safe side.

The hike may be hard, but you will be rewarded with beautiful views.
6. Have the right shoes and socks. Although this might seem fairly obvious, having the right footwear is extremely important when hiking. Using wool socks instead of cotton will help fight blisters, and making sure your hiking boots are broken in will also help. Painful feet can ruin a hike.

7. Dress for success. Now that we have talked about the proper foot attire, we can move onto the rest of your body. Making sure you wear the proper clothes for the time of year you are hiking can help to ensure a successful trip on the trail. Whether that means wearing layers or simply throwing on a tank top, make sure you are properly dressed for the trail.

8. Do Not Bring Too Much. Ensuring you have the proper supplies for hiking is very important, but you don’t want to bring too many. When you are hiking, you don’t want to be weighed down by unnecessary equipment, so make sure you bring the essentials.

9. Pace Yourself. Whether you are on a one-mile trail or five-mile trail, make sure to pace yourself. You may feel as if it is a piece of cake at the start of the trail, but you don’t want to exhaust yourself within the first few miles. Save some of your strength so the last few miles don’t feel as if they were 20.

Take a breather at the top of Molly’s Knob Trail.

10. Have Fun. Even though there many things to consider when you are going hiking, remember to have fun. Take breaks to truly capture what is around you. Stop to take plenty of pictures of the different views and wildlife.
With these ten tips for the trail, you’ll be a hiking wiz in no time. Remembering these tips will help you on your next adventure at Virginia State Parks and hopefully keep you coming back for years to come.