Healthy Driven

Take a Hike! Challenge

This fall, we invite you to join the Healthy Driven Take a Hike! Challenge. For the next eight weeks, from Sept. 14 to Nov. 9, rediscover the healthy benefits of being active and spending time in nature. It's a great opportunity for all ages — from kids to seniors.

We’ve created fun weekly challenges to help you explore the outdoors and get the most out of your hikes. Some of the challenges may not be for everyone, but we encourage you to give them a try!

Check out this week's challenge

Share your success with us on Instagram or Facebook, and you’ll be entered into a weekly drawing for prizes (see entry details below). Grab your family members, parent, partner or bestie and "Take a Hike!"

Join the challenge! We'll send you weekly reminders and hiking tips.

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This week's challenge

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Week #2: Try a scavenger hunt or play hiking bingo.

These games can help you connect with nature and appreciate your surroundings this week. It also helps keep kids engaged on the hike! You can search for items as a team or make it a contest to see who can find the most. Just remember to respect the environment (take pictures of items rather than remove them). Use our scavenger hunt or create your own hiking bingo with a fun bingo card generator like bingobaker.com/view/786321

Previous challenges

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Week #1: Have a picnic.

We can easily forget to fuel our bodies with proper nutrition when we’re exercising outdoors. For this week's challenge, we challenge you to grab a light blanket and pack a picnic with some healthy snacks. Bring a spare trash bag to clean up when you’re done.

Need some inspiration? Check out some of our favorite hiking snacks.

Weekly hiking tip

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Tip #2: Put it on your calendar.

Let’s be honest, our schedules can get hectic. Review your upcoming week (or weeks) and figure out the most practical day/s for you or your group to hike, then slot it into your calendar so you’ll make time for it. Check the local weather forecast before setting out on your next hike.

Previous tips

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Tip #1: Pick the right trail.

Before you set out on your hike, pick a good trail for your group’s fitness level and familiarize yourself with it ahead of time, understand the terrain, etc. A 5-mile hike on flat ground is different than straight uphill. Pace yourself and start with small, manageable hikes (you can build on it each week). If hiking with a family/kids, take into account age and fitness level. If you’re setting out alone, let others know where you’ll be hiking and when you expect to return.

Check out the map on this page to find a trail near you.

Hiking trails

We've made it easy for you to find a trail near you or a new trail to explore.

Looking for more trails? Check out the Alltrails website or app.

Connect with other Take a Hike! Challenge hikers

Join our Hiking Challenge Facebook group to connect with other Take a Hike! Challenge hikers in the area! Post about local trails, share your hiking tips and photos and learn more about how hiking can benefit your physical and mental health.

What are the health benefits of hiking?

Time in nature has been proven to decrease stress and anxiety, which is essential as we deal with the challenges of the pandemic. You will reap the health rewards of movement — including being stronger and happier, and reducing your risk of illness. Hiking is also relationship-building, as families can enjoy spending time together while getting healthier.

Note: Please consult with your doctor before beginning this challenge or any new exercise program.

Enter our weekly drawing

Share the Hiking Challenge with us

Healthy Driven Take a Hike Instagram Post

Enter our weekly drawing for a chance to win prizes!

Two ways to enter each week:

1) Post a picture from your hike to your public Instagram profile, tagging @healthydriven and including the hashtag #hdtakeahike in your photo caption. (If your account is not public, we will not be able to see your post)

2) Comment on the weekly hiking challenge photo posted each Tuesday, starting Sept. 15, 2020 and ending Nov. 3, 2020, on our Healthy Driven Facebook page. You must include a photo from your hike in the comment.

Two winners will be randomly drawn each week. Winners will be messaged through Facebook or Instagram.

Click here for a complete list of drawing rules.