Hiking Toward Health

Experiencing gym fatigue? Shake up your workout routine with a network that helps users find new routes to get fit in the great outdoors.

AllTrails is a digital tool for outdoor enthusiasts that is revolutionizing the way hikers, riders and nature seekers experience the outdoors.

The company was founded in 2010 and eventually merged with National Geographic Maps (one of the more trustworthy names in outdoor recreation and travel). Approximately 1.1 million users turn to AllTrails to explore some of its more than 50,000 trails. The app provides information on 22 different activities including mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding and — of course — hiking.

Hiking is a strong cardiovascular workout that can lower the risk of heart disease, improve blood pressure, increase bone density, strengthen the core, help control weight and boost mood. On average, hiking burns 250–500 calories per hour, depending on your size and how rigorous a trail you’re tackling. AllTrails makes finding the right trail easy, whether you’re seeking a quick course for a lunch break or a rigorous, scenic trail for an all day excursion.

AllTrails provides a broad array of information about its trails: distance from your location, images of the trail shared by other users, star ratings based on user feedback, level of elevation, other nearby trails, alternate routes, and extensive reviews and feedback provided by other app users. And it’s got routes all over the place — whether you’re looking for a trail around Central Park in NYC, Runyon Canyon in LA, or the Grand Canyon in Arizona. It’ll even help you find altogether new hiking-friendly areas to explore.

Plus, the system can help you keep track of where you’ve been. You can use it to log your miles, keep track of your hiking times, and make notes on your experience which may also help others.

AllTrails is a free service — accessible online or through apps for most mobile platforms. For a fee, you can upgrade to AllTrails Pro, which offers extras like a map-editing tool and the ability to print your maps. Learn more about how AllTrails can point your next outdoor fitness session in the right direction by visiting them online at alltrails.com.

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