It is summertime once again in the Ottawa Valley and people can enjoy the fresh air, sunshine and outdoor activities.
One increasingly popular outdoor activity is hiking, which can make for a great cardiovascular workout and gives you the opportunity to see some beautiful scenery!
“When I first joined the club, I found climbing a steep hill for 40 minutes to be a challenge. When an 80-year-old club member breezed by me with apparently little effort, I was very inspired,” said Tom Cole, a hiker for over 15 years and current president-elect of the Ottawa Rambling Club (ORC).
One of the most popular places to hike in the Ottawa area is Gatineau Park, which offers trails of varying difficulty to accommodate hikers of all levels. Most feature beautiful scenery and breath-taking vistas.
“For a beginner hike, try old favourites like Pink Lake and the waterfalls hike at Kingsmere. For more of an intermediate hike try Wolf Trail. For more of a workout try Lusk Falls,” said Cole. “In Gatineau Park there are many beautiful views like those at Lusk Falls. There are also many lakes and ponds throughout the park.”
There are several groups that promote hiking in the Ottawa area. Local groups include the ORC and the Alpine Club of Canada (ACC) Ottawa branch. Darrell Newman, the hiking co-ordinator for the ACC of Ottawa, has been hiking for 28 years and said he enjoys the new experiences hiking brings.
“I enjoy the people I hike with and I enjoy being up on mountains and deep in woods. I also enjoy the new places I go and the challenges of new trails,” he said.
Similar to Newman, Cole said one of the best parts of this summer activity are the people he hikes with. “The energy and vitality of these hikers reminds me of my university days,” he beams. “They very obviously enjoy life and are wonderful to be around… They truly sparkle.”
Hiking is an activity that can be enjoyed by individuals of all ages, sizes and experience levels. It is fairly inexpensive, making it a great option for individuals on a tight budget. “Once you buy the equipment, hiking is cost-effective,” informs Newman. “Lots of people do it.”
While many believe hiking is only for the summer, it is actually a year-round activity. Hiking in Gatineau Park in the fall, for example, allows the opportunity to see the trees with the beautiful colors as the leaves change, and hikers will be able to enjoy the cooler temperatures.
Whatever your preference, hiking lets you experience nature in every season, with the additional benefits of companionship, exploration and good old-fashioned exercise.