A Guide to Urban Walking, Hiking & City Trails
(5 min. read)
‘Urban’ and ‘hiking’ may not be two words you’d typically see in the same sentence. The serene nature of hiking. Immersed in the sounds of nature. Away from the daily distractions of life. A far cry from the built environment and the hustle and bustle of busy crowds.
And yet, urban hiking is a trend that has taken the world by storm — and for good reason.
What is Urban Hiking?
As the name suggests, urban hiking is hiking in built-up, urban areas. Enter, city treks. Urban hiking allows you to take advantage of what’s on your doorstep, anytime, harnessing it in a whole new way. It takes the physical and emotional aspects of hiking, and sets those same goals using city trails—meaning you can exercise your way through unexplored areas of the city. We’re talking switching those rugged paths and mountains for inner-city parks, walkways, secret passages and stairways for that same sense of strenuous activity.
How is an Urban Hike different from a City Walk?
Not to be confused with a leisurely stroll in the local park, urban hiking is intentional, challenging and has adventure at its heart.
Logistically, urban trails don’t take the same planning as our more commonly known rural hikes (you’re never far from help, after all), but they do require some thought. Organisation is key, and it’s helpful to have a rough idea of the distance you want to cover, where specifically you want to trek, and what supplies you’ll need to make the adventure a fun one.
There’s also the fact that urban and city hiking is done at a more athletic pace, with more ups and downs. In order to get your blood pumping and endorphins rushing, with the same calorie-burning spikes, it's important to utilise what’s around you. Which some call ‘urban mountaineering’. This involves tackling stairways, park hills and city obstacles to replicate the rigour of rural terrain.
Ultimately, it comes down to your approach. Aim for a sense of discovery. Whether the roads are well-worn or not, we like to be completely tuned into the city and our surroundings.
How to plan for Urban Hiking
When planning for an urban hike, there are some advantages over a rural trail. Your phone signal is stronger, and there are shops should you fall low on supplies. But, that doesn’t mean you don’t need to have your wits about you.
1. Pack the correct gear
You’ll want to make sure you enlist the right equipment so that you can focus on getting to grips with urban hiking. Our top recommendations include a water bottle, plenty of snacks, suncream, sunglasses and a map of the city. When it comes to clothing, it’s all about optimum comfort—so make sure you have a lightweight rain jacket (give the HOKA Transport Rain Jacket a try), plus hiking socks that can withstand moisture. Swap your hiking boots for softer, urban hiking shoes with plenty of bouncy cushioning, as this will be more suited to pounding pavement and protecting your joints as you go. Our Anacapa Low and Gaviota 5 are great options.
2. Use local shops for supplies
One benefit of being in the big city is that you can always stop and snack along the way. If you’re super organised, you could include some motivation-inducing checkpoints to enjoy the local cuisine and refuel at regular intervals. It’s a great way to get to know the city’s offerings, plus it lightens your load so you can cover more ground.
3. Keep safety in mind
People tend to feel safer on a city hike because they are less isolated than rural trails. That said, this does present itself with new safety precautions to consider. In busy cities, it's important to obey the traffic laws and keep an eye out for cars, lorries and cyclists. Plan on finishing your hike before it gets dark. And in the event you’re out past sunset, be sure to have a torch and reflective gear.
4. Plan ahead
Planning ahead for your urban hike will ensure you get that same satisfaction from a successful rural trail. If you’re wondering where to start, choose an area you haven’t explored to keep things exciting. Navigate a mix of natural areas (like parks, forests and sandy trails), as well as man-made areas (like pavements, staircases and bridges) to embrace the different elements of your city. Finally, always share your route with a friend for an added safety measure. Better yet, invite them along.
How to find Urban Hikes near you
Urban hikes may not follow a specific trail as they don’t tend to utilise trailheads and pre-established paths. That said, using a standard city map or your phone’s satnav to plot out your own version can be helpful. The best part? Your journey can start the second you walk out your front door. We suggest having your end goal in mind, whether that’s getting to a distant park, monument, or new piece of street art. Now you just need to bridge those two destinations, and choose a challenging way to get there. Where you can, bring in those different elements and terrains to test your endurance. And remember—it will be a sensory experience, so plan some extra time to take it all in. You could even pack a camera to capture your hike.
Now no matter where you’re based, there’s always a fun way to embrace the benefits of hiking.
Find the right Urban Walking Shoes for you
Wondering what shoes to wear on your city trail adventure? Try our shoe finder to get your personalised shoe recommendations. With the HOKA 30-Day Guarantee, you can also take a test flight for up to 30 days in any of our shoes - if they don't work for you then you can return them for a full refund, no questions asked.
