National Trails Day

“For me, #NationalTrailsDay is really rewarding because I can start off the summer right by volunteering to work on the trails that I know I’ll be using later in the summer. I have the chance to spruce up trails and put a little love and sweat into something I care so much about.” Liz Thomas Hiking, American Hiking Ambassador. Get out and hit the trail on #NationalTrailsDay on June 6. #GetOutGiveBack. Thanks to The Muir Project for producing this video!

Posted by American Hiking Society on Monday, May 18, 2015

I was honored to be chosen to be one of four  American Hiking Society ambassadors and to share with others my love of hiking and the need to come together to protect the places we love as hikers.

What I love about hiking, is that it gives me the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life. Hiking is the great leveler—nature is a place where the CEO can be best friends on the guy out on his luck, the elderly can befriend teenagers, and where Americans can connect with people from all around the world—foreigners here to enjoy the high quality and unique trail and landscape system found only in the US.

Trails are also a great healer. I’ve met hundreds of people overcoming loss, disease, heartbreak—people who are out of shape trying to get back in shape. For people of every background, getting out in nature is healing and empowering. Being in the outdoors forces us to be responsible to ourselves and reminds us that one person can climb mountains.

If you’ve ever wanted to adventure, explore, and have fun in the outdoors, but aren’t sure how, National Trails Day is great way to get out there in a safe and fun way.

National Trails Day is a free series of outdoor events on the first Saturday in June. Whether you want to try hiking, horseback riding, trail running, mountain biking, canoeing, or geocaching, each year, you’ll be joining 150,000 people from all 50 states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico in National Trails Day events.

I know that for me, National Trails Day is really rewarding because I can start off the summer right by volunteering to work on the trails that I know I’ll be using later in the summer. By volunteering at National Trails Day events, I have a chance to spruce up trails, give back, and put a little love and sweat into something that I care so much about. Later this summer, when I finally do hit the trail, it’ll feel good to walk past a spot that I worked on and know that I contributed to making a little part of the world a better place.

So whether you’re curious about what this whole nature thing is about or you’re already an outdoors junkie, chances are there is a National Trails Day event tailored to your interest. There are gear demos, guided plant and wildlife hikes, wilderness skills and training—and it’s all free. Bring your kids, bring your neighbor, bring your friends, bring your grandma—National Trails Day is an all ages event and we want everyone to be there!

Find an event near you at www.nationaltrailsday.org. National Trails Day is the first Saturday in June. See you on the trail!