A Gainesville Guide to Hiking

Hiking is a past time that can be our best friend or our worst enemy. While casual hiking can be meditative, extreme hiking can cause you to gasp for breath as you sip your last drop of water. The sport of hiking is one that is loved and appreciated by so many, but can be disastrous for those with no experience. Whether you’re hiking through Gainesville’s wildlife areas or the wooded areas of your neighborhood, this exercise inspires a sense of clarity we should all be looking for.

In college it can be hard to breathe. Between stressing over exams, sorting through ridiculous drama with our friends or significant others, trying to plan out our futures, working to pay the rent and attempting to take care of ourselves, there’s very little time to just sit and take a breather. We live in a fast paced world, and if we don’t move with the tide, we’ll get lost. As much as we need to constantly be moving we also need time to stop, pause and understand what is going on around us.

Catalina Sanders, a sophomore at UF, uses hiking to do just that.

“I like to feel one with nature, because that’s when I feel most peaceful,” Sanders said. “It takes you away from the actual town and shows you what Gainesville used to be.”

The huge expanse of wildlife that’s planted right before your celebration of hitting exit Archer road on I75 is known as Paynes Prairie. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park has eight trails where you can go hiking, horseback riding and bicycling, according to the Florida state park’s site. The state park also doubles as a wildlife habitat for animals including alligators, bison, horses and more than 270 species of birds.

These adventures, while incredibly meditative, can have less than desirable outcomes if you don’t prepare properly. While hiking may just seem like easy walking, it can quickly become tiring and boring for most beginners.

Fill up the CamelBak

Wait, CamelBaks are good for something other than Ultra or Bonnaroo? That’s right, you can fill your humps up with delicious H2O for your journey. You may not be thirsty when you start off, but trust me you will. Nothing is better than having a convenient source of water on your back, able to be sipped right through a straw. They also work as backpacks, providing extra compartments for crucial items like sweaters and trail maps.

Selfies in the swamp

You might look ridiculous taking pictures of yourself on a nature hike, but a camera is one thing you shouldn’t forget. Whether you’re using your iPhone or your new Nikon, this could be a great #tbt opportunity for Instagram. It also allows you to tune in with nature as you scope the landscape for that perfect picture. So let your artsy side run free, you never know what you may end up with.

Snack me, please

Lets face it, without the proper fuel your hike won’t last nearly as long as you’d like. But with a delicious snack in your backpack, you’re much more inclined to walk that extra mile to reach the end. I’m personally a sandwich gal, but they can get soggy or gross sitting in a backpack all day. Try something a little more hiking-friendly, like a nutrition bar. My favorites are Chewy bars, Clif Bars or KIND bars. You could also pack a bag of trail mix, like Ocean Spray’s Cranberry and Chocolate, or throw together something homemade.

One is the loneliest number

Finding your peace of mind in the wilderness doesn’t mean you have to subject yourself to hours of walking alone. The buddy system guarantees assistance in case you hurt yourself, get lost or have some sketch-ball eyeing you. So recruit a few friends and hit the trails. It’s also a relaxing way to reconnect with old friends on an unusual journey into the wilderness.

Be Prepared

Absolutely anything can happen in the wilderness. And like our dear friend Murphy once said, “If anything can go wrong, it will.” Proper footwear is the most critical item for enjoyable hiking. I recommend your sturdiest and most reliable pair of sneakers, but please avoid Vans and Converse. You should also bring a raincoat or an umbrella, because our treasured Florida weather is incredibly unpredictable. A sweater, depending on the month, can also prove useful once the sun sets.

With these basic tips under your belt, you’ll be able to achieve the clarity and peace of mind that every 20-year-old deserves. Take advantage of this recent streak of irresistible Florida sunshine. Discover the freedom that lives outdoors and take a moment to yourself to just breathe.

Featured photo courtesy of: The Epoch Times 

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