Three Reasons Why Hiking is a Great Budget & FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) Friendly Hobby ⛰️
It’s no secret that most people had to cancel most or all of their travel plans in 2020 due to COVID-19. The pandemic is still raging on and in the United States there are no signs of it slowing down. I originally had plans to travel internationally but have changed them (so lucky I didn’t buy tickets yet) in order to just travel domestically around Northern California in the San Francisco Bay Area.
I was shocked by how much natural beauty I had missed on a daily basis before March 2020. I often saw the San Francisco skyline on my way to work in the South of Market. I occasionally went to a local park or a brief walk around my neighborhood. But, I am not taking the parks and nature for granted anymore. Right now, when malls, movie theaters, and concerts are no longer available as a form of entertainment or a way to ‘escape’ day to day life, city parks and trails are open. The past month I have been going hiking and formed a new love for hitting the trails. I wanted to share the three reasons why hiking is a great budget-friendly hobby that you can also take advantage of.
1- Parks and Trails are Usually Free (or temporarily free)
Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, most local parks are completely free to visit. You just have to show up and start walking. It’s that easy! I recently went to Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park in Oakland, California which is approximately a 30-minute drive from my home. The parking normally costs $5 per car but it was waived due to the COVID-19. For the cost of gas and a picnic lunch of turkey sandwiches and grapes, I enjoyed three hours with my family enjoying the beautiful, California redwood trees that I had almost forgotten about. Everyone was wearing a mask, keeping their distance, and enjoying the fresh air.
2- Hiking Gear is Very Affordable & Not Necessary to Enjoy Hiking
To go surfing, you need to invest in a surfboard, wax, and a wet suit. To play tennis you need a tennis racket, tennis balls and a tennis court that is available. There aren’t too many sports or hobbies that require little to no investment or cost before being able to enjoy it.
All you need to go hiking are clothes and shoes that you already have. That’s it! Recently I bought some hiking boots, a good pair of hiking pants, a reusable water bottle, and a lightweight hiking backpack to carry my water, protein bars, phone, and a jacket just in case it gets chilly. My hiking boots cost $55.99, my hiking pants cost $19.63, my water bottle cost $9.18 and my collapsible backpack cost $18.99. I plan to get at least 5-10 years of use out of all of these items because my clothing size has been steady and I don’t plan on my feet growing anytime soon. Before buying this gear I just wore what I already had and buying hiking specific clothing isn’t necessary. I just wanted to be able to tackle more steep and challenging trails that my sneakers couldn’t easily handle.
3- Hiking is Like Taking a Day Trip of Mini-Vacation
Late last year I made a list of my travel destinations for this year. On it, I had listed Singapore, Hawai’i, and Turkey. Right after the COVID-19 outbreak shut down most airline traffic and countries banned international tourists, I quickly deleted that list from my phone. Going for a hike each weekend is now like taking a day trip or a mini-vacation for me. Every Sunday morning after I eat breakfast and enjoy my coffee, I think about what trail I want to go to. Then, I pack up my bag with my water, protein bars, a jacket, and a portable charger. I hop in my car and go to the trail that I end up choosing. As soon as I arrive, I’m excited to hit the trails, discover new areas of the park, be challenged, and listen to my own playlist of songs or a new FIRE podcast. For 1.5-3 hours I can escape into nature, take pictures from the top of a hill after struggling to climb it, and greet fellow hikers. The fresh air, blooming flowers, and challenging inclines transport me into a different world. Once I’m done, I get back in my car, head home, take a shower, and feel energized and ready to enjoy the rest of my day.
If you got this far, thanks for reading! Do you go hiking? What are some great budget friendly hobbies that you enjoy? Feel free to share yours below.
