Is Hiking A Good First Date? 10 Reasons To Plan It And Make It Happen

Is hiking a good first date idea? In this article we will give you 10 reasons you should consider it as a first date option. Plus we will give you 5 tips to help you make it a success and one big precaution to keep in mind before your trip.

Hiking is a great first date option because it’s unique and really fun. Most dating websites would list out some generic ideas for first dates, such as going to the movies, to dinner, or drinks. Are you feeling uninspired?

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Even if you are not an outdoorsy person, hiking might be a great way to launch a new relationship. Check out our list of reasons why hiking would be a great choice for your first date.

10 Reasons Why Hiking Is a Great First Date Idea

In this article, we’ll explore a few reasons why hiking could be a great first date suggestion. We’ll also look at some of the notable benefits that hiking has to offer which makes it a great “first date” idea.

Finally, we’ll provide you with some additional info and resources regarding this activity so that you can learn more about it.

I’ll close with one precaution to a first date in the mountains.

With that being said, let’s look into why hiking might be your next “first date” option!

#1) Hiking Allows You To Unplug So You Can Get To Know Each Other

When you’re at home or in public, it’s easy to allow distractions like social media and television to take over and make conversation nearly impossible.

In fact, studies show that all of the distractions we have available to us while we’re at home actually make us feel lonelier than ever because they prevent us from actually connecting with friends and family members.

Once you get out on the trail, there is no TV to watch or computer to check. You are forced to connect with each other in order to get through the hike. You will notice that you start talking about things in your past and current events that you never thought you would talk about with strangers. Hiking breaks down these walls and allows you to connect with others without outside influences.

Hiking is one of the best ways to get outdoors and get back to nature. It allows you to connect and get to know each other without all those distractions.

#2) Nature Has A Way Of Clearing Your Mind And Calming Your Soul

There are many benefits of being outdoors. These benefits even apply to relationships. On your first date, you want to be able to connect with your partner. Here is how being outdoors can help.

Being away from distractions in nature can help you focus on your date and what they are saying. If you’re at a busy restaurant or crowded party, it’s easy to get distracted by other people. Being outdoors is peaceful and can allow you to connect with your date.

When you are outside and exposed to the sun, it increases serotonin production in your body. Serotonin is a natural chemical in our body that affects mood. The sun also boosts norepinephrine levels, which helps the body deal with stress.

Furthermore, being outdoors gets your heart pumping, which helps you establish a rhythm and sets you up to connect with your date.

You will find that it will be easier to engage your date when you spend time outdoors together. This is because you will be able to connect at an emotional level more easily, as opposed to connecting on a superficial level such as talking about superficial things.

Another benefit of being outdoors is that it gives you more time together with your date. When you go to a movie or sit at a restaurant, you might both be distracted by the screen in front of you or other people around you. When there are distractions, it’s hard to make a personal connection with someone else because there isn’t much time for meaningful conversation.

#3) Hiking Is A Great Way To Spend Quality Time Together

It takes time to get to know someone. Creating an atmosphere that helps you connect is important for meaningful relationships. Hiking helps break down the barriers and gives you opporuntity for quality time together.

Hiking is a great way to spend quality time together. This is a time for you and your significant other to connect with each other. It allows you to get to know each other better by having some casual conversation while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of nature.

The key to creating quality time together is placing yourself in situations where you can feel at ease and vulnerable with each other. This may mean going on a hike together, as hiking is an activity that allows you to spend time in nature while also relaxing and enjoying the presence of someone else.

Hiking can be more than just a great way to spend quality time together; it can also make you step outside your comfort. This forces you to be open and accepting.

#4) Being Out In Nature Allows You To See What People Are Really Like

There is something about being outdoors that strips away the facade, allowing us to be our true selves.

Social media allows us to create persona’s that are far from reality. We can hide behind fake personalities and do or say whatever we want without consequences.

When we go back to nature, there is a feeling of freedom that allows us to drop all the social masks and just be ourselves.

Nature is a great equalizer. On social media, where people curate their own personas, you often see this happen in real time. People post pictures of themselves doing extraordinary things like skiing down a mountain or walking across a beach, but those images often don’t reflect the reality of who they are.

Once you get away from it all and spend some time in nature, you’re forced to be yourself. Whether it’s telling your friends that they’re not going to like the meal they just cooked or being honest with them about how you really feel about their new haircut, there aren’t many places where you have to wear a mask.

Everyone has an idea of what other people are like before they meet them. The truth is often more complex and interesting than those first impressions. Spending time outdoors makes that clear — because when we can see past the facade of social media, we get to know people for who they really are: flawed and human just like us.

#5) Hiking Is Inexpensive

Hiking is a fun activity to do with someone you like. One thing that makes hiking a great date idea is that it doesn’t cost a lot of money. There’s no need to worry about breaking the bank if you want to go on a hike. Even if you go out for ice cream after the hike, it won’t be too expensive.

In fact, you can go hiking for free if you have the right gear and know where to look. You’ll find lots of places to hike in your own neighborhood, and there are many levels of difficulty on any given trail.

Most state parks offer free admission and many have campgrounds that are open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis.

You can stop for a quick picnic at a scenic overlook, or pack a few sandwiches and find an area to set up camp for the evening. If you have camping gear at home, pack it along with some lanterns, flashlights, and other supplies that will help keep the fun going as the sun goes down.

Hiking is one of the most cost-effective dates you can take your partner on. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on things like gas and restaurants when you go hiking in a public park. All you need to do is get in touch with your adventurous side and go for it.

Sometimes, the best dates are the ones that don’t require a lot of money.

#6) Being Outdoors Is Fun And Adventurous

First dates can be nerve-wracking. You want to make a great impression, but you don’t want to overdo it and make things awkward. There are some things that you can do to make sure that every date you have is fun and exciting.

No one wants to experience a boring first date. Being outdoors is almost guaranteed to put a little adventure in your time together. You can take your date on a long walk at the park, or even on a hike in the woods for an afternoon of fun.

If you want to keep things simple, try going on a picnic in the park or by the beach instead. No matter where you decide to go, just remember that being outdoors is a great way to make any date more memorable and entertaining.

There’s no better way to get to know someone than exploring the great outdoors with them.

Additionally, if your date lives near or frequents any parks you may have never seen before, take advantage of your time together by visiting one. There are many different types of parks in different areas that you could both enjoy together.

The best part is that most parks have free events set up for families and friends where you can make some good memories while having fun together.

Make sure your date is prepared with whatever they need. And if it’s cold outside, make sure they dress in warm clothing.

You can even consider bringing some outdoor games.

We’ve included a list of basic essentials to consider for your first date hike below.

#7) Hiking Allows You To Bond And Create A Shared Experience

Hiking is more than just a fun way to spend a weekend; it’s also an opportunity for people to connect.

Psychologist and sociologist tell us that people bond over having a shared experienced. What better way to create a bonding experience than hiking?

Jean Twenge, PhD, author of Generation Me (Amazon link)says:

(Shared experiences) create an opportunity to build rapport…and leadsd to social cohesion.

Of course, not everyone views hiking as the perfect ice breaker. But if you’re looking for ways to connect with someone, consider taking a hike together.

Social psychologist Robin Dunbar theorizes that human beings can only maintain stable relationships with up to 150 people at once.

That means if you’re trying to make it into someone’s inner circle — or simply want to see if you’re compatible with someone you like — going on a hike is one surprisingly good way to do it.

Hiking allows you to bond and create a shared experience.

The act of hiking helps us connect on a deeper level. We are able to take in the beauty of nature, and this can help others understand your point of view. There is an inherent satisfaction in conquering a difficult hike, which also helps us bond with each other.

#8) Outdoor Activities Are Low Pressure Things You Can Do To Ease Tension

We are at our best when we don’t feel pressure or tension. Being outdoors is a great way to minimize the tension in a new relationship.

Being outdoors is a great way to minimize the tension in a new relationship because when you’re outside, there are no distractions from each other’s company. You are forced to be together without the aid of technology.

Outdoor activities are low-pressure things you can do with a potential partner without feeling like you’re under any kind of pressure.

This enables you to relax, have fun, and get to know each other on a more personal level. Even if you don’t end up falling for one another in this setting, you’ll at least have fun trying!

A lot of people are surprised to hear that being outside is such a big stress reliever. After all, there are so many other things that seem like they would cause more tension: swimming with sharks, skydiving or hunting grizzly bears!

But it turns out that these outdoor activities are actually full of opportunities to share experiences with someone else, which is one of the best ways to ease tension in any relationship.

There’s nothing like the outdoors to melt away stress and tension. There’s no pressure to impress one another, and you can just enjoy each other’s company.

Hiking is also a great activity for strengthening your bond over time, because getting from point A to B together is a bonding experience in itself. It doesn’t matter if you’re hiking easy trails or challenging yourselves with more difficult ones — it’s all good!

#9) Hiking Helps You Create Memories

Life is about building memories from our experiences. Hiking together gives you many opportunities to share new and great memories.

When we lived in Colorado, we spent time in the mountains every week. We have great memories of our favorite hikes and time with friends in the mountains.

It’s not uncommon for us to talk about those memories in the evenings when we are having a meal together.

One night I got a call from my son (who lives in Arizona). I had just posted a few pictures from a hike Michelle and I did that day. He called to tell me he saw the pictures. We talked for a few minutes then he said:

You guys are always on an adventure. I love seeing the pictures and hearing your stories. I just told my family, we need to do more things like my dad.

Building great memories keeps life exciting.

#10) Physical Activity Helps You Connect 

There is a lot of research that shows how physical activities actually helps you create strong bonds and connections with others.

The more active you are, it gives you the much needed confidence boost and increases your self-esteem. This in turn helps you connect better to the people around you.

In fact, when we feel good about ourselves and about our bodies, it creates a positive effect on the way we communicate with other people.

The endorphins released during physical activity also help us to open up more, be more talkative and communicative with others. Being active leads to a greater sense of emotional well being and satisfaction in life.

Endorphins are hormones that can make you feel happier and more relaxed. You may find that being physically active gives you a lot of energy, and that it makes you want to do things like spend time with friends or family members.

Spending time with others is fun, but being physically active also helps to bring people together because they’re doing something they all enjoy. You may also find that physical activity helps you to cope better with stressful situations or emotions like anger or sadness.

It’s not just that physically active people tend to have more friends, or that they’re more likely to participate in group activities. Rather, physical activity appears to foster social bonds by promoting feelings of closeness and connection among people who do it together.

Couples who exercise have a higher relationship satisfaction than those who don’t. This increases with couples who exercise together.

There is something about physical activities that helps us connect.

5 Tips On How To Plan Your First Hiking Date

When you are planning your first hiking date, it is important to keep a few things in mind. Here are some tips to ensure that you have a fun and safe experience.

#1) Consider the time of year that you plan on hiking.

Different seasons offer different opportunities for the two of you. In the winter, there may not be much foliage to enjoy, but the weather will be warmer and there will likely be fewer insects bothering you.

In the spring, there may be more bugs but you will also likely find more flowers blooming as well as beautiful views of all the new leaves on the trees. In the summer, you may want to consider hiking at night or early in the morning when it is cooler between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., which can be very hot and humid during these months.

Fall is a great time because while the temperatures might be a little cooler, fall colors make it worth getting out there before winter is upon us again!

Dressing appropriately is the first step in getting prepared for your hike. Bring clothing and equipment appropriate for the season and weather conditions. Dressing in layers is the best way to keep warm and comfortable. The clothing you choose must be lightweight, durable and easy to carry.

#2) Choose a hike that is appropriate for both of your abilities.

No matter how much someone loves you, they won’t want to go on a hike that they won’t enjoy or that puts them in danger!

Consider hikes where you can both enjoy yourself without worrying about what comes next.

Remember, this isn’t a competion. It is a bridge to build a relationship.

#3) Don’t Go Extreme

The goal of your ‘hike date’ is not extreme thrill-seeking. There is a time for that, but the point of hiking on your first date is to connect and get to know each other.

Choose a place that has both trails for hiking and places for picnics.

If it’s too difficult, then you two cannot spend significant time there because you need some breaks in between the hike which allows for resting and having conversations.

If it’s too easy, then it might not challenge your limits that much and might give off the impression that you don’t really like challenging yourself which could create problems in the long run.

#4) Be Prepared

While this isn’t a ‘man and woman against nature’ hike, it is always good to be prepared. Our motto is safety first (especially on a first date).

Here are some items we consider proper hiking gear for your hike:

Water bottle:

Always bring plenty of water! Dehydration can lead to heat exhaustion, which can result in serious illness or even death.

Bring food:

We suggest bringing lots of energy bars, fruit, or other non-perishable snacks.

Hiking boots:

Wear hiking boots or other sturdy footwear that provide ankle support. The trail is rocky and uneven in places.

Sunglasses and/or sunscreen:

The sun can be harsh at the higher elevations; we suggest that you bring sunglasses and sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher). Check out our favorite picks here.

Bug spray:

In addition to mosquitoes, ticks are common on Mount Washington. Bring bug spray with DEET.

Rain coat:

Unexpected things happen on the trail. If you run into inclement weather, be prepared with a rain coat or poncho.

Camera and binoculars:

Mount Washington offers some amazing views–if the weather cooperates, that is! Binoculars will give you an up-close look at wildlife like wildflowers, birds, and even mountain goats!

Map and compass:

Always carry a map and compass when hiking in the White Mountains. While this trail is well-marked, it is also easy to lose your bearings on the bare summit ridge.

Small first aid kit:

I keep one in my backpack on any hike. They come in handy. We recommend this kit.

 Know your hiking trail:

We recommend for a first date hike to keep it simple and know your surroundings. The goal is to get to know one another. This can be difficult if you get lost in the woods.

#5) Keep It Simple

There are a lot of different approaches that people take to a first date. Some people like to arrive fashionably late, while others like to be on time. Some people go big, while others go small. But I’ve found that the most successful first dates usually have three things in common:

1. They keep it simple

2. They stay focused on what matters

3. They end on a high note

That should be the goal of your hiking adventure.

One Big Precaution for a First Date Hike

I mentioned when we started I had a precaution. It’s the one downside to hiking on your first date:

Never put yourself in a dangerous situation.

This means, if you do not already know the person, having a first date in a remote location is not wise. I would never recommed it for a blind date.

If, however, you already know the person well, it could be a great date. (I’m assuming you have a good radar when it comes to detecting strange and weird people or situations)

Double dates, group outings, or hiking club gatherings could be an exception to this rule. The main thing is to always think safety. Do not put yourself in a dangerous situation.

Always let people know where you are going (no last minute changes that are not reported to family and friends).

Side note: When we lived in Colorado and hiked a lot by ourself, we let our family know what trails we would be on, and they could even track us on our hiking app. They knew our location every step of the way.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, hiking is a great date option. The thought of going on a hike with a first date may sound like too much work. But with some planning, it doesn’t have to be. Just by putting a few hours into it, you can make your next hike one where you can connect with another person and get to know them in nature. And if this is what it takes for you to meet that special someone, then we say go for it!

In this article we looked at 10 reasons hiking should be considered as a first date option. We also gave your 5 tips to help you make it a success.