Hiking is a great outdoor activity. There are trails through National Parks, Military Parks, management areas, and botanical gardens that offer great hiking opportunities.

There are some things to watch out for while hiking, some dangers that need to be kept in mind. These need not spoil the fun, just be aware of them and take the necessary precautions.

· Snakes and other dangerous wildlife. Always be aware of your surroundings. Keep a look out for snakes and other animals that might harm people. Most often animals will stay away from humans, but you are in their territory when hiking. Sometimes you can’t help but come upon an animal. Stay calm and think clearly when it happens.

· Wear the correct shoes or boots. Hiking trails are sometimes rough. There are rocks, tree stumps, and other things that make walking dangerous. Stepping on a sharp rock or root is painful in thin shoes. Go to a sporting or outdoor store and purchase the correct footwear for hikes. The shoes and boots are thicker and tougher. They also offer more support. Stepping or tripping over objects while hiking is not uncommon. Hiking boots with good support will go a long way in preventing ankle injuries.

· Crossing soft areas and water. Forests with lots of trees will have areas that are dangerous for hiking, especially during the fall when leaves are falling. Walking across a pile of leaves without first seeing if there is ground right underneath is dangerous. Always use hiking poles. Not only do they help keep you steady and climb better, they can be used to check the depth of piles of leaves. It hurts to step into a pile thinking solid ground is right there and sink up to your knees. Injuries can happen easily this way. The same thing goes for walking on rocks over water areas. Use the hiking poles to see if the rocks are stable before stepping on them.

· Misquotes and other insects. Wear insect repellant when hiking. Insects are rampant in the woods. Warding them off or itching to death after they bite you is no fun. Ticks are very dangerous insects to watch for in the woods. Always check after hiking to make sure you haven’t picked up any ticks, and remove them as quickly as possible.

· Stay on the trails. Trails are marked with blazes. Going off the trails into the woods is not safe. The trails have been cut through parts of the forest that is safe. Venturing out farther leaves you open to meeting more wildlife and getting into dense underbrush, not to mention poison ivy.

These are a few of the dangers you should watch for while hiking. Keep them in mind so you and your family can have a safe and fun hiking trip.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 30th, 2008 at 2:03 am.