As a long-standing lover of intense HIIT classes and speedy 5ks, developing a passion for the slow yet stamina-building activity of hiking for fitness definitely wasn't on my 2024 bingo card. But then I stumbled across a TikTok of someone documenting them doing the stunning coastal hike from Seaford to Eastbourne Pier, and I quickly sorted train tickets for the following Saturday. Probably my favourite day of 2024, it was genuinely amazing - and now I've got a walking weekend in Wales on my wishlist for the Spring.
Far more fulfilling than whatever box-ticking workout I'd squeeze in on a Saturday morning before socialising, hiking offers a low-impact way to get sweaty and engage my muscles, all while reaping the many mental health benefits of being out and about in nature. Plus, it's a way to exercise that's rooted in social connection - which is clearly something we're all searching for, as the Strava Year in Sport review revealed that 2024 saw a 59% global increase in run club participation and a 13% increase in large group activities.
