Many can still vividly remember the hiking vacations with their parents – but when it comes to choosing vacation activities, hiking often falls by the wayside: too old-fashioned. Too little glamour. There is hardly a sport that has more to offer for the body and soul.

The image of mountain hiking in European climes is highly polarized: Some top managers and Chancellor Merkel profess their support. Accustomed to climbing the highest peaks, when hiking they appreciate the fact that concentrating on mountain climbing does not allow other thoughts and thus frees the mind.

In addition, a joint hiking group like the Similauner, which included Wolfgang Reitzle, Hubert Burda, Herbert Hainer, Klaus Kleinfeld, Jürgen Schrempp and Herbert A. Henzler, led by mountain legend Reinhold Messner, offers ideal conditions for networking and PR.

The majority sees hiking primarily as an activity for sprightly seniors and prefers innovative trend sports. In the age of LandLust and sustainability, however, hiking is about to experience a renaissance.

Hiking in altitude regions of 1,000 – 3,000 meters has numerous health effects that can hardly be achieved so easily with any other sport. Just the adaptation of the body to the altitude of the location in the mountains and the increasing altitude regions with their reduced oxygen supply have the same effects as a light endurance training.

Interestingly, the most extensive studies on health effects come from the U.S. and are supported by some European studies:

Body + Immune System

Strengthening the immune system.

Cardiovascular

Reduction of pulse and blood pressure, increase of heart beat volume, improvement of blood flow and condition of blood vessels.

Skeleton

Strengthening of bones, cartilage, intervertebral discs, joints, tendons and ligaments

Eyes

Reduction of intraocular pressure

Psyche

Brightening effect due to increased production of relevant hormones and messenger substances

Psychosomatic diseases

Positive influence on psychovegetative disorders and tinnitus

Mental performance

Improvement of cerebral blood flow and cerebral metabolism

The positive effects of mountain landscapes have been extensively studied, particularly in the United States. The stimulating stimuli offered by the sight of mountain landscapes with their variety of forest, water, mountain vegetation, and mountain rocks provide a stimulating stimulus combination that has the following positive effects:

Relaxation

reduction of blood pressure, pulse and muscle tension, improvement of skin conductivity

Stress Relief

Reduction of stress hormones and easier processing of professional or other stress

Mood

Reinforcement of positive emotions and calming slowing of brainwave oscillations.

Concentration

Reduction of mental fatigue and increase of the ability to concentrate

Hiking is the ideal balance to the hectic everyday life and can be realized with a comparatively small investment: Good hiking boots are essential for safely mastering difficult paths in the mountains. Everything else you should pack in your backpack can be found in this article from GloriousMe.