HIKING is a sport that involves walking following a predetermined itinerary, and that seeks as well to bring those who practice it closer to the environment and a better knowledge of the area, mainly through its heritage as well as traditional ethnographic and cultural elements.
It’s usually done on marked off trails that have been approved by the proper authorities in each country, but it can also be practiced on unknown routes or rural paths.
Hiking is an ideal activity for all fitness levels, with GREAT HEALTH BENEFITS: it improves the cardiovascular system, lowers cholesterol levels, increases energy levels, strengthens the muscles on the lower part of the body and contributes to bone health.
Hiking has recently TAKEN OFF AS A RECREATIVE ACTIVITY. Because of its benefits for both physical and mental health, in addition to the need to leave the city, an ever-increasing amount of people have started doing it. Estimates show that around 4 million people go hiking regularly in Spain, a number that keeps rising.
But hiking can stop being a sustainable way of enjoying the environment. Unfortunately, many hikers don’t follow the rules and regulations established for the preservation of the environment, which causes negative effects on the ecosystem.
