Merely having a GPS is not enough when you’re hiking – you have to know how to use it. Taking the time to prepare yourself can make a huge difference in your activities.

Though the compass and map have traditionally been the reliable tool of hikers, the Global Positioning System has become an essential tool for many hikers on trips – regardless of the length.

With Global Positioning Systems hikers can access their exact position on the globe, and, if using a 3D fix, users can also know their altitude. Many devices are battery operated and hand-held; often small enough to put into the pocket. Zoom in and out functions allow users to know where they are in relation to their immediate surroundings, or get a better sense of the lay of the land beyond them as well as surrounding them.

GPS style hiking can be critically useful, but it …

Are you planning on taking a trip to go hiking in the wilderness and need to find the best hiking boots that you can? Durability and comfort of hiking boots are two things we find most important when buying boots, and you will also want to look for boots that are waterproof.

Here is a list of my families favorite hiking boots.

Timberland Cadion Waterproof Mid-Gore Tex XCR is one of the best all around men’s hiking boots you could find! At around $140.00 depending on where you buy them, the money is well worth it. These Timberlands give you great ankle support to keep you from twisting an ankle while doing steep climbing, and give you more stability. These boots are also much lighter than other hiking boots that always seem extremely heavy. They weigh about 2 lbs per boot, which in my opinion is quite light. The waterproof …

Maryland has a great number of trails to choose from, but these three are my favorite for having a day hike in the mountains or on the beach during the Fall.

1.  Appalachian Trail

The almost ten mile stretch of the Appalachian trail from Crampton Gap to Harper’s Ferry is one of my favorite trails in the Maryland area. The scenic views and winding paths with views of the Potomac River, there are few other trails that I enjoy as much as the Appalachian Trail. This small bit of the trail is only a part of the forty one miles that the trail takes in the West Virginia/Maryland area.

Although there are many harsher parts of the AT, the Maryland part is relatively good for beginning hiking enthusiasts with minimal increase in elevation and relatively easy hiking paths compared to other parts on the trail.

If you want to see some …

Well, the snow has started to fly, the temperature has gone down and you’re starting to hear all of those annoying cancellations and delays on the radio again. Time to retreat? Curl up in a ball in front of the fire? Make friends with your couch? No way! Winter is the perfect time to take up hiking in Maine! The best way to beat the winter blues is to make sure you stay active. Exercize raises endorphins, which are a feel good chemical your brain naturally produces. It helps you cope with stress, stay in shape, and function better overall. Winter is no excuse to stop an exercise regimen. You just have to dress warmly and be more careful about where you go. Hiking can be a great activity to share with friends, and hiking with others makes it more enjoyable.

You’ll want to make sure you have a good …

In celebration of the Great Outdoors Month 2009 there is nothing more pleasurable to experience the great outdoors than a hike. In Tucson, Arizona there is no shortage of trails and places to go in this beautiful desert city. There are many trails that you can choose from, ranging from easy to difficult. Some are free and some require a small fee, but don’t let the small fee deter you it is well worth it. The fees benefit these places by keeping the facilities clean and running. Three great trails to visit here in Tucson are Sabino Canyon, Skyline trailhead and Picacho Peak.

Sabino Canyon

I hiked a trail here just a couple of days ago and it was the first time I visited Sabino Canyon. It will cost you five dollars to get into the parking area. From there, you choose your route. Sabino Canyon offers many trails varying …

I have enjoyed hiking trails across much of the eastern United States and endured all kinds of trail and weather conditions along the way. Every region and trail from Maine to Arkansas to the shores of Lake Superior has unique and wonderful challenges, but my hiking heart belongs in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina.

Hikers familiar with the region know how hot and humid summers can be in the Southern Appalachians. Temperatures routinely soar into the nineties with high humidity. That combination is not only uncomfortable; it can be dangerous to the unprepared hiker.

Follow these tips to beat the heat while hiking in the Smoky Mountains, or anywhere else, this summer.

Summer Hiking in the Smokies: Beat the Heat

Stay properly hydrated: This seems so simple obvious that it should not be necessary to mention it. But I cannot tell you how many hot, thirsty, unprepared …

If you’re looking for a scenic hiking trail near Pittsburgh, PA, you don’t need to drive an hour or more to get there. Some of the best hiking trails are the ones not many people know about, and there are many within a stone’s throw of the city. This article will introduce three of these nearby trails in the city’s northern region. Most local outdoors enthusiasts and nature lovers are well aware of hiking locations in the Allegheny County Parks and Pittsburgh Citiparks, but many do not know there are scenic waterfalls in nearby Shaler and Fox Chapel easily accessible from spectacular woodland trails. These are just some of the little-known hiking trails you should check out in the northern Pittsburgh vicinity.

Fall Run Trail
Few people notice the sign for Fall Run Park (a.k.a. Judge D.M. Miller Park) as they drive by it on Route 8 in Shaler. …

I don’t know about you, but I love hiking in the winter. It just gives me a whole new perspective on things. There are several places in New Hampshire that I am particularly fond of when it comes to winter hiking.

Here’s a look at five of them:

1.  Pillsbury State Park

Pillsbury State Park is located in Washington and features over 50 miles of trails. What I like most about the park is its history and terrain. There are remnants of old pioneer settlements from the 1700s and 1800s, as well as ponds, uplands and wetlands. It is also a great place to catch sight of winter wildlife, so be sure to bring your high powered binoculars, digital camera and zoom lens along. Hours of operation vary during the winter. Admission prices range from $2 to $4 depending on your age.

2.  Flume Gorge and Visitors Center

The Flume Gorge and …