Hit the Trail
These last few days we've had a tantalizing taste of the warm weather headed our way for the next several months. It's a great time to start exercising outdoors, and one of the best workouts you can get outside is walking, hiking, and running on trails—whether you are moving at a fast clip or going for a leisurely stroll with the family.
One of the best workouts you can get outside is walking, hiking, and running on trails. |
|
Because it requires you to use your core and supporting muscles to stay stable, traveling over uneven terrain burns more calories and improves balance. It also challenges your mind, since you will likely have to use navigational skills that may have grown rusty in this age of GPS. But perhaps most importantly, exploring your local environment on foot just plain feels great, which is the best way to insure that you'll make outdoor activity a regular occurrence.
To insure that you stay safe and hydrated, wear sunscreen, bring one liter of water for each person for each hour you plan to be gone, pack portable and energy-boosting snacks (such as raisins, nuts, fruit, cheese, and granola bars), and make sure everyone has worn their shoes at least once before (to reduce the possibility of blisters). Let someone know where you're headed and when you expect to be back, and carry a cellphone—but try not to turn it on unless absolutely needed.
To help you head outside, here's the Kris Wade Personal Fitness Experts official guide to our local nature paths. Happy trails.
Watchung Reservation, Mountainside
Mileage: 13+
Trail Marking: Marked, but poorly, with lots of interconnecting trails
Dogs Allowed?: Yes, leashed only.
Bikes Allowed?: No bikes.
Trail Difficulty: Easy to moderate difficulty. There are some areas of rocky and root-strewn single track which travel up and downhill. Areas down by the streambed are wider and easier to traverse.
Family Friendly: Very. There’s a museum by the Deserted Village, Trail Nature Walks, a playground, and fishing at Surprise Lake.
Lewis Morris Park, Morristown
Mileage: ~10 plus, the trails here run into Patriot’s Path which adds another 20 miles.
Trail Marking: Well-marked with color blazes
Dogs Allowed?: Yes, leashed only.
Bikes Allowed?: Yes, this park attracts a lot of mountain bikers.
Trail Difficulty: Moderate. There are rolling hills with some slightly technical sections of roots and rocks. A wide gravel fire road runs through the park. Patriot’s Path is an easy trail that is mostly flat and gravel, with some parts paved.
Family Friendly: Very. Lewis Morris has a picnic area, baseball field, fishing at Sunrise Lake and they host trail running and mountain bike races throughout the year.
Hacklebarney State Park, Long Valley
Mileage: ~5
Trail Marking: Unmarked. This park runs up against private property and hunting zones, so be aware of signage.
Dogs Allowed?: Yes, leashed only.
Bikes Allowed?: No bikes.
Trail Difficulty: Easy to difficult. There is a range of rocky, slippery streambed as well as gravel paths.
Family Friendly: Yes. Hacklebarny has picnic and grill areas, but be aware of the hunting zones.
Tourne Park, Boonton/Denville
Mileage: ~8
Trail Marking: Poor marking, but it is a popular park, especially on weekends, making it easy to ask for directions if you’re unsure.
Dogs Allowed?: Yes, leashed only.
Bikes Allowed?: Yes.
Trail Difficulty: Easy bridle path to difficult, rocky single track.
Family Friendly: Yes. Tourne has a play area, picnic set up and allows fishing.
Yours in good health,
Kris Wade
