Get in Shape: 12 Olympic National Park Hikes
To most hikers, gyms are stuffy and boring. Walking and running in place is tedious, and the general atmosphere of the building is not welcoming. Bright lights, TVs and mirrors as far as the eye can see. Counters full of supplements next to the juice bar try to convince us that we need to bulk up and be strong. The gym is not a natural place to work out. We need oxygen, we need a change of scenery, and we need to start a healthy lifestyle in a location that makes us want to return.
We need nature as our gym. We need to get off the elliptical machines and treadmills and hit the trails. Hiking can give you a full workout and a rewarding view, while at best, the gym might give you glimpse of that cutie. Avoid the awkward eye-contact and instead, find true love on the trails of the Olympic National Park. We can assure you that if you try hiking instead of going to the gym, you will have a much healthier, active and happy life.
Don’t believe us? Try hiking these 12 trails and tell us we are wrong.
HIKES AS WORKOUTS
Hood Canal Region
Beginner: Staircase Loop
Miles Round Trip: 4 Miles
Elevation Gain: 200ft
Directions: http://goo.gl/maps/2lS5i
Moderate: Lena Lake
Miles Round Trip: 5 Miles
Elevation Gain: 1300ft
Directions: http://goo.gl/maps/feqjR
Advanced: Flapjack Lakes
Miles Round Trip: 15 Miles
Elevation Gain: 3,000ft
Directions: http://goo.gl/maps/2lS5i
Rainforest Region
Beginner: Hall of Mosses and Hoh River Trail
Miles Round Trip: 2-5 Miles
Elevation Gain: 300ft
Directions: http://goo.gl/maps/JohtT
Moderate: Colonel Bob Peak
Miles Round Trip: 12 Miles
Elevation Gain: 4,200ft
Directions: http://goo.gl/maps/uLzTr
Advanced: Enchanted Valley
Miles Round Trip: 26 Miles
Elevation Gain: 3500ft
Directions: http://goo.gl/maps/cAZtx
Beaches Region
Beginner: Ruby Beach
Miles Round Trip: 1-3 Mile
Elevation Gain: 100ft
Directions: http://goo.gl/maps/qqLYn
Moderate: 2nd and 3rd Beach
Miles Round Trip: Variable
Elevation Gain: 200ft
Directions: http://goo.gl/maps/6D2Fs
Advanced: Ozette Loop
Miles Round Trip: 9.5 Miles
Elevation Gain: 300ft
Directions: http://goo.gl/maps/Nn8B0
North Region
Beginner: Spruce Railroad Trail
Miles Round Trip: 8 Miles
Elevation Gain: 200ft
Directions: http://goo.gl/maps/WgeZ3
Moderate: Dodger Point Bridge/Goblins Gate
Miles Round Trip: 7 Miles
Elevation Gain: 800ft
Directions: http://goo.gl/maps/eM8t9
Advanced: Seven Lakes Basin
Miles Round Trip: 19 Miles
Elevation Gain: 4000ft
Directions: http://goo.gl/maps/J8jtL
Buy our Guidebook for even more awesome hikes!
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- Posted by
ExoticHikes
- Posted in Health
Jan, 07, 2014
1 Comment.
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