Where do you live? East Coast, West? North or South or smack in the middle? I need to know what trails you want to hear about, places to camp, etc. I've noticed, for example, that the stats on the article for North Carolina quickly eclipsed those on the Grand Canyon...are you trying to tell me something? :rolleyes:

Well, I'm in Utah. I wouldn't mind knowing about hiking trails that are, how do I say this? For amatuers? I recently had a baby, and wasn't in great shape before I got pregnant, and had to be on bedrest for 6 out of the 9 months, and got over 200 pounds! Now I am trying to slowly but surely walk my way back into health!

Hi Jessica! Thanks for stopping by. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I LOVE Utah! That's the perfect place to walk yourself back to health. Whereabouts in Utah?

If you ever get around to southern utah, the terrain is more forgiving than among the mountains in the north half of the state. I'd recommend tripping down to the great parks - Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Zion and Bryce - for some spectacular "beginner-ready" hiking. Take the brochures when you enter the parks and look for their "easy" trails. They all have them. I'm especially partial to the beginner trails in Arches and Zion - A to Z, if it were!

Another note: Walking is a very good way to provide a low-stress form of movement. Next to swimming, it's the next low-impact sport. What you are doing is very smart. If you make an effort to take a 20-minute stroll in your local woods or park every two or three days, and one longer hike once a week, you should find it an effortless way to lose those pounds you aquired while bedridden.

This is good food for thought. I'll write up a piece on some of my favorite easy trails in those parks for you and publish it on Monday.

I'm in Sandy City. Little and Big cottonwood canyons are right by my house. But we are moving in two months to just west of the ochre mountains

Hi Jessica! here's the final version of the article dedicated to you, on the beginner trails at Bryce and Zion national parks. Here's the link - http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art8960.asp. Let me know what you think, and I hope you get a chance to go there. <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

yay! Thank you Jill!!!!!!!!!!

I am a city dweller in San Francisco. For in-city hikes, I like to hit some of the hills. Grandview Park and Randall Musuem Hills are do-able by many fitness levels and the views of the city are wonderful.

Another favorite is to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge and down into Sausalito, taking a ferry across the Bay to get back to the city. That's a few good miles there.

In the North Bay, of course, the Muir Woods and Pt. Reyes areas are just fantastic for serious hiking, as is the whole Mt. Tamalpaias area.

- Rae

Hi Rae! Thanks for stopping by. I love your area and have hiked quite a bit up around Mt. Tam. And I've written an article on cycling across the Golden Gate, down to Sausalito and over to the Tiburon Peninsula (with a ferry ride back, of course!) Anyway, here's the link, below: take a look! There are a few pictures, too.

http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/14102/77772

Muir Woods Park is simply gorgeous as well, and I recommend beginning hikers take the Muir Woods canyon trails. Advanced hikers should look at tackling Mt. Tam itself!

Hi Jill!

Have any hiking trails to suggest in the Midwest? Perhaps in Michigan, especially the Upper Peninsula? Favorite (more remote and rustic) camping spots are also of interest. Although, hm, if you tell me about the best hidden spots to pitch a tent, they won't be so secret anymore, will they?

Thanks,
Zee

ooops, Zee, sorry I missed this questions somehow. My fave midwest hiking is in Minnesota, esp around the north shore of lake superior. SOOOOO beautiful!And wonderful camping, despite the bugs. I recommend Shovel Point and Palisade Head for camping and hiking (also sea kayaking and rock climbing). Carlton Peak is in the area, great views from the top and an easy hike. Also, so many waterfall...it's not like here in the southwest at all!

Hi,
I just moved to the mid-atlantic/east coast area and would love to hear about some good hikes in virginia or nearby. Thanks!

I'm in Atlanta, GA. However, i'll be moving to the backwoods on Mississippi. Looking forward to making my own trails! :-)

Across the Ocean........
Bournemouth UK
<img src="/images/graemlins/king.gif" alt="" /> [color:"red"] [/color]

I'm in southcentral New York. Just getting into hiking and would love to hear about your NY hikes, anyone?