Have you ever felt an urge to bask in the sun, feel the wind in your hair and get a little dirt under your fingernails? It's natural to want to spend a little time in the wilderness, because human beings are just animals, after all. That's why learning to hike is the perfect sport for our stressed-out society.

Hiking is considered by some to be a recreational pastime. To others, however, it's much more than that. Some people begin a lifelong love of hiking as very small children. They remember spending family vacations as endless hours spent tackling the trails with mom and dad. A child's newfound love of hiking will blossom into skills and memories that he or she will carry throughout their lives.

Many hikers develop their love of the sport much later in life, sometimes well into the senior years. Older kids in scout troops embark on weekend journeys. Teenagers traipse through the woods to find a secluded spot to hang out with their friends. Stressed-out executives can't wait until five o'clock, so they can kick off their wingtips and strap on a pair of hiking boots.

Whatever the reason, one thing is certain: People go hiking to shake off our contemporary hassles, and enjoy all that nature has to offer.

When beginners start hiking they can find the sport a little tricky. Seasoned pros can always spot rookie hikers. They struggle with packs, loaded with fifty pounds of gear for a two-night trek. These overzealous hikers load their backcountry packs with heavy tents, fancy foods, two pairs of shoes and a bounty of "just in case" gizmos.

It may be easy for seasoned hikers to snicker at the rookies, but let's face it; every one of us been there at one time or another. If you're a beginning hiker, don't worry; in no time at all you'll be confident enough to lose the excess cargo from your pack and travel lean enough to log plenty of miles on your hiking boots. Over time, you'll be learning the ropes and fine-tuning your craft along the way.

While you're honing your craft, here are some helpful tips that can help to clear the trail:

Prepare Before You Pack

Hiking is all about freedom, but that doesn't mean that there are no rules. Safety always comes first, and safety guidelines should always be followed. The most important rule to remember is that you need to be prepared for anything. Consider all of the mishaps that can occur in the wild, and assume that they will happen. Prepare for every situation and you'll be able to handle any potential accidents. Packing inadequate clothing, ignoring your map and making a bad judgment call are all invitations for disaster. There are potentially life-threatening situations waiting around every corner, so you need to know what to pack, understand how to handle dangerous situations and be able to keep a clear head as you deal with any difficulties. Be sure to check the weather forecast before you leave on your hiking excursion. Knowing the conditions of the trails will also help you to pack the right gear. Weather can turn without warning, so bring along a lightweight rain jacket at all times. Know the trails and stay in tune with your surroundings at all times. If you plan to hike in a conservation area or national park, speak with the park managers about necessary permits and local conditions. You can find maps online and at the book store. Bring the maps along, and make sure that you know how to read them.

Understand Your Equipment

Forget the coordinating hiking outfit. No one cares what you look like on the trail, so leave your ego at home. It's more important to be safe and comfortable than to simply look good. Temperatures can plummet after the sun sets, so pack accordingly with warm clothing and an insulated sleeping bag. This is a sport that requires proper equipment, and nature is a force that must be respected. Buy and bring equipment that will help you to stay safe on the trail. No one will care if you seem like a "newbie" on the trail, so don't be afraid to ask questions.

Relax and Have Fun

Even though it can be physically demanding, hiking is all about having fun. If it wasn't fun, no one would bother to do it. A hiker's luxury vacation means lacing up a pair of boots and stomping for miles through remote wilderness. To these hardcore hikers, scratches and bug bites are considered to be five-star amenities. If you really love nature, your efforts and hardship will be worth every minute.

While trying to remember everything you'll need to bring on your hike, you must remember to leave your stress behind. Take your time. Enjoy the journey. Relax and watch the clouds drift by. Feel the sunshine and breathe in the fresh air. Take a picture, smell a flower, catch a butterfly, and then let it go. Appreciate your hidden animal and enjoy your time with nature.

Recreation and Leisure Products on our marketplace

Writer Nadia Eshott enjoys writing for numerous well-known online magazines, on hiking and recreation and creative recreation issues. Feel free to grab a unique version of this article from the hiking Articles Submission Service