Hiking is an activity of moderate difficulty, which involves walking across long distances generally on trails or paths. The duration of the activity varies between short half-day programs and longer itineraries of over 20 days. It is usually an activity that allows groups of different sizes.
Hiking and trekking are two terms sometimes used indistinctly. The difference between each of them is usually the duration of the specific activity. Hiking is associated with shorter programs, while trekking is used to describe longer programs of a week or more.
Hiking is also a great way to immerse yourself in the culture and history of a country or area. Longer programs will take you to experience local communities and taste unique local food. Hiking is where the trail meets the people, and mountain sports meet cultural adventure.
There are different types of hiking depending on the difficulty and the duration of each program.
Short hikes
Hikes can be as short as half a day or 1 day, as a great complement to a short trip, for example, and always a great way to connect with your more natural self. Hikes can also involve a series of days.
Long hikes – or treks
Some hiking (or trekking) programs involve over 12 days, covering dozens of kilometres. These programs generally include spending the night in tents, camps or mountain huts.
These tend to be opportunities to visit more remote local areas, and create a more cultural experience as well as natural.
Hiking is great for cardiovascular health. Even light hiking can raise the heart rate to a moderate level which helps improve aerobic fitness and endurance. Over time, your body adjusts to new fitness levels and you can hike longer, faster, and harder without feeling as fatigued or out of breath.
Hiking can also improve markers associated with cardiovascular health like blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol. Studies have shown that going on regular moderate hikes can significantly reduce hypertension, improve glucose tolerance, and decrease ‘bad’ cholesterol levels over time.
So if cardiovascular health is a concern for you, hiking can be a great way to improve your heart health!
Hiking also helps increase proprioception, which is the mind’s awareness of the position and movement of the body in relation to its surroundings. As you hike, the brain is processing every rock and root and gauging what it will take to step over obstacles. With practice, the brain becomes more adept at judging these obstacles, and as a result, balance improves.
As we get older, it’s really important to keep working on balance in order to prevent falls. Hiking is a fun way to improve balance while spending time in the outdoors.
Here’s some solid hiking and trekking places in Singapore:
1. The Southern Ridges
Linking parks along Singapore’s south, this 10km connector trail offers its fair share of scenic vistas. The trail connects to five other parks, so hikers can use this path to explore other areas. You’ll be stopping by places like Mount Faber Park, Telok Blangah Hill Park, HortPark, Kent Ridge Park and Labrador Nature Reserve. Highlights include the iconic Henderson Waves bridge, and the Forest Walk and Canopy Walk for nature’s finest. These spots make for a great getaway from the city’s bustle, and they’re perfect for history buffs, bird watchers, nature lovers and everyone in between.
2. Jurong Lake Gardens
The sprawling Jurong Lake Gardens is a beauty to explore. Made up of the Chinese and Japanese Gardens (both undergoing renovation works), as well as Lakeside Gardens, this lush, west-side park is perfect for families, nature enthusiasts and everyone in between. Walk across the Jurong Lake boardwalk to spot wildlife (maybe an otter or two!), admire the view from Rasau Walk and snap your best pics gallivanting around the grasslands.
3. Fort Canning Park
If your knowledge of Fort Canning Park merely extends to its reputation as a site for music festivals and picnics, you’re missing out big time! Delve a little deeper into the lush greenery and you’ll find remnants of the park’s rich cultural heritage – like Battle Box. The hill’s history goes back much further than that, as archaeological digs have unearthed remains of ancient brick buildings believed to be palaces of kings. Definitely a must-see for history buffs who prefer the great outdoors to stuffy museums.
