Get Outdoors for National Hiking Day
By Clara Wodny on November 15, 2024 in Blog
A family explores Hitchcock Nature Center along the new Lotus Loop trail. Nestled in the heart of the globally significant Loess Hills just 15 miles outside of Council Bluffs lies Hitchcock Nature Center. Once slated to become a landfill, INHF helped the Pottawattamie County Conservation Board protect the property. Photo by Pottawattamie County Conservation
November 17th is National Hiking Day! Established by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, National Hiking Day, sometimes called National Take a Hike Day, is the perfect opportunity to take a break from the business of the season, step outside and enjoy the peace nature offers.
Iowa boasts more than 2,000 miles of multi-use hiking, biking, and walking trails throughout the state. Many are former railroad corridors, of which, INHF has helped to create about 65% of the rails-to-trails in the state. If you don’t yet have a favorite trail near you, use these resources to help you locate a few options — you may just find your new favorite escape!
While you’re hiking, take the opportunity to quiet your mind and revel in the beauty and wonder of the natural world. Consider trying one of these activities, by yourself or with friends and family, to help you engage with your surroundings in a new way and perhaps notice details you never have before!
Alphabet Scavenger Hunt
Starting with the letter A, work your way through the alphabet by finding something near the trail that starts with each letter. Can you spot an acorn? A berry? A creek? Get creative! If you’re with a group, you can work together as a team or compete to see who can name the most items.
Listen for Birds- Then Imitate Them!
Although many birds have left Iowa for somewhere warmer by this time of year, there are plenty — like chickadees, woodpeckers, robins, and owls — that stick around. On your hike, keep your ears tuned and listen for birdsong. See if you can identify which birds you’re hearing, and then do your best to recreate their calls! Do you think you could fool anyone?
You can also try the old birding hack of “pishing.” Simply make a “pshhhhh” sound repeatedly and see if you entice any birds in the area to respond. Try it at different volumes and intervals, like a quick repetitive “pish, pish pish.”
Create Nature Poetry
Let the expansiveness of nature inspire you to create something beautiful of your own. Look around and make a list of what you can see: Pine trees? Fallen leaves? Squirrels? Prairie? Then, think about how each item on your list makes you feel, something it reminds you of or adjectives that could describe it. Maybe a particularly tall tree looks regal or could be considered “the king of the forest.” Perhaps a squirrel is acting particularly mischievous or is running around with its friends, reminding you of the playfulness of a child. Once you’ve gathered enough material, combine your phrases and observations into a poem!
No matter where you’re hiking, who you’re with or what you think about on the trails, make this National Hiking Day one to remember. And don’t forget — Iowa’s trails are always waiting for you — don’t limit yourself to just one day! Learn about INHF’s current trail projects and how you can help build more trails here.