How Can Hiking Become a Spiritual Experience?

There is a vast expanse of research out there that is testament to the physical benefits of hiking. Improved muscle strength, reduced risk of heart diseases, and enhanced respiratory fitness are only some of how hiking is good for us. Hiking makes you a stronger person. Climbing over uneven surfaces, jumping over rocks, and navigating your way around trees and across rivers and streams indeed provide a holistic fitness session for your body. However, did you know that hiking can also be beneficial for you spiritually and emotionally? If you’re feeling like you’re losing yourself and need to reconnect, you may want to try hiking.

Here are three reasons why hiking is great for your mind and soul:

1. It can help you connect with nature.

Going on a hike is one of the best ways in which you can celebrate and worship the marvels of nature. It provides you with numerous opportunities to communicate with your surroundings, whether it is through the leaves lightly grazing your skin or a gentle breeze blowing through your hair. In those moments, you can feel the vastness of nature and just how small you are. To experience wholesome spiritual growth, being able to understand ourselves in relation to all that is around us is extremely important.

hiker sitting at Emerald Bay, El Dorado County

2. It’s a break from everyday monotony.

A monotonous life often takes a toll on our emotional and mental state. You need some physical distance from your everyday life to place aside, even if momentarily, the stress and pressure of always having to balance the many aspects of the drudgery. The silence of nature punctuated by the rustling leaves and chirping birds will provide you with the space to think and help you be more aware and conscious of yourself. Far away from the problems of your life, you can finally relax and gather your thoughts in a quiet and safe space.

View of Angora lakes from hiking trail | el dorado county

3. It teaches you mindfulness.

Mindfulness is all about being present in the moment. All you need to do is pay attention to all the sensations that you are feeling in your body and be conscious of your breathing. While on a hike, practicing mindfulness can help you sense the many wonders of nature. It can guide you into discovering your soul’s real purpose of being able to connect with something far more significant than itself.

El Dorado County is a hiker’s paradise and provides stunning vistas that are laid out for you to indulge your body and spirit. You can explore nature through hiking in El Dorado County and discover yourself some more in the process.