Urban hiking is exploring a city on foot, requiring different equipment and planning than hiking in nature. Tips include planning a route or theme, familiarizing oneself with the city, selecting appropriate clothing and accessories, and considering the time of year. GPS devices and wireless technology make it easier to navigate. It’s important to learn about the city’s customs and etiquette and blend in with the surroundings. The best time to hike depends on the city’s seasonal activities.
Urban hiking is the term used to describe the deliberate exploration of a city through walking. This type of hike differs from hiking in nature and requires different methods and equipment. Urban excursion takes advantage of the diversity present in the urban environment. Instead of a walking stick and water bottles, urban hikers can use a GPS device and carry cash for refreshments at local establishments. The best tips for this type of recreation include meticulously planning an urban hiking route or destination theme, familiarizing yourself with the city and its culture before travelling, selecting suitable clothing and accessories, and planning the hike for a of the appropriate year.
Even if the urban hiker prefers to improvise his excursion, the trip is more successful with careful planning. Some urban hikers like to create a theme related to their hike. For example, a food enthusiast will research and select the various restaurants or food markets in the city, or an art lover will plan visits to particular museums or art exhibits. Other visitors can freely plan their excursions, starting from a particular destination and stopping where their interests take them. Regardless of your preferred style of urban hiking, the best hike always has a goal, destination, or time period in mind.
However, urban hikers don’t need to plan every move in advance. Thanks to wireless technology and GPS (Global Positioning Satellite), maps of cities and their points of interest are easily available on any portable GPS device or smartphone. Getting lost is no problem as GPS detects location and promptly guides travelers to specific destinations, such as a restaurant, museum or market.
If the excursion will be going through a foreign city, it is best to get acquainted with important rules and social etiquette first. Some cities ban women from wearing shorts, while other cities ban tourists from particular areas. Instead of immersing themselves in a strange city, urban day-trippers should first observe the particular customs and possible prohibitions of the city they wish to visit. The internet is a good reference tool, as are travellers’ books, which are readily available in most public libraries.
Hikers usually prefer to blend in with their surroundings. Urban hiking supplies and clothing should reflect this vision. If traveling to London on an expected rainy day, an umbrella is guaranteed, but the rain gear preparations for a stroll in Cairo will make the traveler seem very pushy. Some hikers prefer urban hiking boots similar to nature hiking gear, while others prefer athletic shoes. Foot wear should be comfortable and cushioned as the concrete and cobblestone streets are hard on the feet.
Before embarking, the traveler should carefully consider the time of year and the seasonal activities of the city’s residents. For most cities, summer is the busiest time of the year and the streets fill up with tourists. This is a great socializing opportunity for hikers, but makes hiking more onerous if the roads are especially crowded. Winter is a less busy season and establishments may be closed for the season or streets empty due to bad weather.
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