5 Reasons To Try Hiking Off The Beaten Path

5. Sweet freedom! Whatever hijinks, tribulations or vistas you experience, you can rest assured that you chose the path to get there.

4. Ankle-strengthing. Sure, there’s boggy bogs and mucky muck, but rocking the tussocks and uneven rocky terrain, you’ll be strengthening those toothpicks you call ankles.

3. Less trash. It’s unlikely you’ll find Subway wrappers and Starbucks cups where only the hearty tread. 

2. Hiking off trail in a responsible way causes less erosion and damage to fragile plants, mosses and lichens.

1. After hiking off trail, hiking on a dirt path will feel like running on a paved highway and you’ll be amazed how quickly you can get somewhere when you’re not ‘schwacking through shrubs.