The Surprising Joy of Hiking Closer to Home

Hiking is one of my go-to ways to exercise and de-stress, but there’s nothing like traffic to evaporate the happiness I feel on the trail instantly. For that reason, there are places and times of year I won’t hike anymore. Holiday weekends? Nope. Anything off Highway 2, ever? The traffic jams heading west are a sight to behold. It’s not that I’m not hiking – I am. I’m just more likely to stay closer to home now. In the same time it would take to get to a remote trail, I can hike farther and spend less time in the car. And I have extra time to spend in my community and neighborhood. My neighbor and I visit each other. I’m keeping a garden alive and taking classes in which I’ve always been interested. I’m volunteering in town more. After a hike, I have time to engage in more activities than simply bringing my belongings inside and sitting on the couch.
Plus, my trip to a remote trailhead may not contribute significantly to climate change (compared to various industries), but sitting in traffic watching heat waves against a backdrop of mountains without their snowy caps is demoralizing.

Hiking is one of my favorite ways to stay active and clear my mind. There’s something special about walking through nature – the fresh air, the sound of birds, the crunch of leaves under your boots. It’s my happy place. However, traffic can quickly erase that happiness.

Sitting in a car for hours, stuck in a long line of vehicles, takes the fun out of hiking. I used to drive far for hikes, especially to big mountain trails or popular parks. But over time, I realized that those long trips often left me more stressed than relaxed. Holiday weekends were the worst — parking lots full, trails crowded, and traffic backed up for miles. Some areas, like those off Highway 2, became places I would rather not visit anymore. The traffic was extremely congested.

So now I hike closer to home, and I honestly love it. Instead of spending hours driving, I can use that time to walk farther on local trails. I discovered new paths in my area that I never noticed before. I get to know the land around me better. And best of all, I’m home in time to enjoy the rest of the day.

Because I stay local, I’ve been able to do more things that bring me joy. I visited with my neighbors and took care of a little garden, which I started. I finally signed up for a class I’ve been wanting to try. I’ve even started volunteering more in my community, which feels just as rewarding as a refreshing hike.

The environment is another reason I choose to stay closer to home. Driving to far-off trailheads might not be the most significant cause of climate change, but every little bit matters. Sitting in traffic, staring at mountains that no longer have snow on their peaks, makes me stop and think. The planet is changing, and I want to do my part to take care of it—even if that means choosing a trail that’s only a few minutes away.

Hiking will always be part of who I am. But now, I hike with more purpose. I choose peace over crowds. I choose community over long drives. And in the end, I’ve found that hiking closer to home doesn’t mean giving anything up – it means gaining more time, more connection, and more meaning with every step.