Take a Hike: Our 5 Favorite Places to Hike

The Global Wellness Day 7-Step Manifesto encourages us to walk for one hour, why not turn your walk into a hike? The health benefits of hiking are remarkable. In fact, research shows that the mind, body, soul benefits that can be gained from regular hiking outdoors, include:

• Reduced threat of heart disease
• Boosted blood sugar levels
• Improved blood pressure
• Improved muscular strength in the upper body, thighs, and legs
• Weight loss
• Relaxation
• Improved mood

We thought this was a perfect time, especially with today being National Trails Day, to share some of our favorite places to take a hike and we hope you’ll share some of yours in the comments below!

New Life Hiking Spa – Killington, Vermont: Known for its prime location along the Appalachian Trail and Long Trail, New Life Hiking Spa as been drawing avid hikers of all levels looking to get started on a (literal) path towards a healthier lifestyle for more than 35 years! For advanced hikers, guides will lead you along steep terrain for long distances at a fast pace, but the effort you put in to the hike is worth it – the views (some at elevations of over 4,000 feet!) of Vermont are breathtaking!

Sky Ranch Fitness at Bacara Resort & Spa – Santa Barbara, California: For those looking to lose weight, gain life-long friendships, and learn how to live a healthier lifestyle – all while enjoying hikes around the gorgeous Santa Barbara area, look no further than Sky Ranch Fitness, hosted at the luxurious Bacara Resort & Spa. During your retreat, you’ll venture to a new location each day for an 8-12 mile hike – with a whole lot of booty burning “up.”. Many of the hikes aren’t well-known, even to area locals, and each features unique views of the surrounding beauty. From a beach-side trek through a campground with views of sea lions lounging on the rocks below to mountainous terrain to winding forest trails – each day provides a view more breathtaking than the last, figuratively and literally, you know… because of all the up. Perhaps the most beautiful trail is the private hike that you can only do with Sky Ranch Fitness, all the way up through the clouds to the very appropriately named Sky Ranch. The feeling at the ranch, situated at the top if the mountains is ethereal and one can’t help but take the time to be mindfully aware of the moment.

The Phoenician – Scottsdale, Arizona: Want to see Scottsdale from above? Take a guided 2-hour hike of Camelback Mountain while staying at The Phoenician. The mountain is located just behind the resort and your guide will lead you up one of the four trails on Camelback. The trails and paths on the mountain are fit for every level of hiker, The Phoenician guides take you up one of the easier paths and you can opt to go to the top on your own. For experienced hikers, try the other side of the mountain, which offers steep terrain and a true challenge.

Ranch at Live Oak Malibu – Malibu, California: With its roster of A-list celeb guests, Ranch at Live Oak Malibu is an excellent sight-seeing option for a novice hiker (we hear Lea Michele just attended for a weekend). The retreat features 9-10 hours of exercise each day which includes their fabulous 4-5 hour hikes through the Santa Monica Mountains.

Mountain Trek Fitness Retreat & Health Spa – British Columbia, Canada: This picturesque retreat is located within the rugged Selkirk and Purcell Ranges of the Rocky Mountains, making for some pretty stellar nearby hiking trails, some even established by miners in the 1880s. Guided hiking here is geared to be flexible every level of hiker, up to more advanced.

Where are some of your favorite places to take a hike?