Hiking in beautiful natural environments can freshen up the mind and the body. It is beneficial for people over 55 who like to keep their bodies fit for a couple of decades more. If you have experienced the joys of hiking, you know how enjoyable a day hike on a trail through breathtaking views of beautiful, wooded areas or through a savanna landscape can be. Seniors who are beginners at hiking should first think about their capabilities and their limitations. While lighter physical activities like walking and hiking on established trails, sightseeing, fishing, and boat trips are good for the health of seniors, strenuous activities such as trekking, biking, and rock climbing are not suitable for those having hypertension or a history of heart problems.
Benefits of Hiking
Hiking is an exercise that helps you to burn calories and reduce weight. It helps to raise the “good” cholesterol level and lowers the “bad” cholesterol levels in your blood. Keeping obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease away are the most important health benefits. Apart from physical health, relaxation of the mind keeps your mind healthy, and that is quite important for seniors. If you go hiking or walking regularly, and exercise aerobically, it may not be necessary to go to a gym. Apart from the health benefits, there are many more things to gain from hiking.
Among the numerous benefits of hiking and nature walking are the opportunities for exercise, exploration, recreation, contact with nature, pleasure, meeting people, and developing alertness and inner calm. Hiking trails in lowland areas are the easiest. Though easy, they also may offer challenges to seniors such as hilly terrain with not-so-steep climbs and walking through the bush, etc. Most of the age-targeted or age-restricted senior communities have hiking trails that have been designed with seniors in mind. Active adult living communities are usually built away from urban centers, but with easy access to all conveniences and amenities.
Finding a Place with Facilities to Hike
If you are planning to move to a new place for your retirement, consider moving into an Active Adult Community that is targeted at older people because there are many amenities, activities, and conveniences specially designed or planned with seniors in mind. Many of these communities have superbly led-out walking trails and access to more difficult hiking trails. Here are some communities that have excellent facilities for outdoor recreation activities.
Woodland Hills is in the City of Waukesha in Wisconsin. It has its own hiking trails, tennis courts, parkland, ponds as well as an on-site. Amenities available at Gainsborough community in Eugene, Oregon include a clubhouse, fitness center, walking trails, arts & crafts, library, billiards, and fishing. There are beautiful walking trails through a 5-acre wildlife corridor. Another example of a fantastic outdoor action community is the Chesapeake by Del Webb in Easton, Maryland. Facilities include a clubhouse, tennis court, fitness center, walking trails, arts & crafts, golf, outdoor swimming pool, woodworking, library, computer club billiards and much more. K Hovnanian’s Four Seasons at Beaumont (California) offers walking and cycling trails as well as a clubhouse, tennis court, fitness center, bocce court, outdoor swimming pool, billiards, library, spa, sauna and beauty salon as amenities.
Search for the dream nest for your retired life at ActiveAdultLiving.com the National Directory of Active Adult Communities where more than 8,500 age-targeted and age-restricted communities are listed. You will surely find an ideal solution to match your lifestyle preferences, budget, and geographic area of your choice.
