Adventur Next

The following are a general guideline of hiking levels to express the difficulty level (1 the easiest, 10 the hardest) and recommendations for our hikes.  These strenuous levels are based on a combination of distance, altitude gain, rock scrambling/stream crossings (if any), animal/young hiker safety, terrain type, and the overall difficulty of the trail as previously experienced by our hike leads. Please note that each hike is different and may require a few extra notes as expressed by the designated hike lead.

HIKING LEVELS

Level 1:  Beginner – The easiest type of hike you can get with no real inclines. Stroll in the park. First Timers, Beginners, Kids Okay, Teens Okay, Dogs, Water Required.

Level 2:  Beginner – Next level with some simple inclines. First Timers, Beginners, Most Kids, Most Teens, Dogs, Water Required.

Level 3:  Beginner – Hikes with some basic experience, experience gain. First Timers, Beginners, Some Kids, Most Teens, Dogs, Water Required.

Level 4:  Moderate – Good inclines with some stress on further distance. No Beginners, Some Kids, Most Teens, Dogs, Water Required.

Level 5:  Moderate – Inclines start to get more intense. Gain and distance go up. No Beginners, No Kids, Some Teens, Dogs, Hiking Footwear Recommended, Water Required.

Level 6:  Moderate – Simple switchbacks and distance increase. Endurance and Stamina required. No Beginners, Adults Only, Some Dogs, Hiking Equipment Required, Hiking Footwear Recommended, Water Required.

Level 7:  Moderate – Expect some long inclines or switchbacks. Gain and distance increases. Long hours. No Beginners, Adults Only, Experienced Hikers Only, No Dogs, Hiking Equipment/Footwear Required, Water Required.

Level 8:  Advanced – Intro to Advanced here. Distance hikes and more than moderate experience required. May Last all day. No Beginners, Adults Only, Experienced Hikers Only, No Dogs, Advanced Hiking Equipment/Footwear Required, Water Required.

Level 9:  Advanced – Long distance hikes which may take more than 6 hours with great gain. May last all day. No Beginners, Adults Only, Experienced Hikers Only, No Dogs, Advanced Hiking Equipment/Footwear Required, Water Required.

Level 10:  Advanced – Longest hikes and/or greatest gain/inclines throughout the hike. May last all day. No Beginners, Adults Only, Experienced Hikers Only, No Dogs, Advanced Hiking Equipment/Footwear Required, Water Required.

DISCLAIMER: AN Hikers and its Leads/Organizers/Participants do not take responsibility for any harm, bodily injury, accidents, or damage to personal property. By clicking “Attending,” or attending the event, you are confirming that you understand that all outdoor activity such as hiking, backpacking, and trekking have an associated danger, and will not hold any hike lead/organizer, participant, AN Hikers, or any group associated pet responsible for any hazard to your wellbeing. You are fully responsible for yourself.

Hiking, walking in nature as a recreational activity. Especially among those with sedentary occupations, hiking is a natural exercise that promotes physical fitness, is economical and convenient, and requires no special equipment. Because hikers can walk as far as they want, there is no physical strain unless they walk among hills or mountains.Many persons walk alone, mainly on weekends or holidays, but youth clubs and other groups arrange rambles, or hikes. Those organized rambles, combining exercise with enjoyment of the countryside, are in country districts surrounding large towns and follow a planned route. Most densely populated towns have hiking trails outside them.For regular and intensive walkers there are available services offered by such associations. Those organizations encourage hiking and preserve footpaths, bridle paths, and rights of way in parkland and recognized open spaces in areas of natural beauty against the encroachment of builders, local authorities, and national undertakings. They also help hikers to obtain hostel accommodation and, by exchange of information and services, enable persons of one country to pursue these activities in others. 

Hiking is basic to many sporting activities and is also a widely recommended and practiced form of physical training. For example, hiking constitutes a large part of mountain climbing; experienced mountaineers know that they must train themselves for the long, arduous hikes over the lower trails and across glaciers and snowfields. Backpack camping, hunting, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and orienteering are other sports and sporting activities in which hiking is important. The ability to walk considerable distances without becoming overtired (an ability generally acquired through practice) also enhances the enjoyment of such other activities as birdwatching, nature walks, field trips of all sorts, and even sightseeing.

Hiking offers all the cardiovascular benefits of walking, but the uneven terrain does more to strengthen the leg and core muscles, which in turn boosts balance and stability, it also generally burns more calories than walking.

These benefits multiply when trails increase in elevation. If you want to build upper-body strength, you can wear a weighted backpack and use trekking poles.Spending time in nature and having experiences that inspire awe can also lower stress and anxiety. One small 2015 study found that people who walked in nature for 90 minutes were less likely to negatively ruminate about themselves — a risk factor for depression — than those who walked in an urban environment.The conversational pace of hiking also makes it an ideal form of group fitness. If you’re exploring a new trail or region, consider meeting up with a local hiking club to learn the lay of the land. Several groups for specific communities have flourished over the past few years.

Training for a hikeIf you’re relatively active, you’re probably already training just by going for walks. “It can be as simple as heading out the door and walking for 40 minutes to an hour and to build up strength and endurance,” 

To train for steeper terrain, walk up hills, shift your treadmill to an incline or take the stairs instead of an elevator. it is also recommended simple leg-conditioning exercises ahead of and between hikes, including calf raises, toe lifts, squats and single-leg exercises such as lunges.

The key to a relaxed hike is being as prepared as possible for the unknown, whether it’s a sudden downpour or a twisted ankle. Every hiker should bring the 10 essentials, which include food and drink, first aid supplies, a map and compass and rain gear — all inside a supportive backpack with thick shoulder straps and a waist belt. 

But the most essential gear is footwear, because “your feet are literally your foundation.” You don’t need to invest in special hiking shoes, you do need to wear shoes that offer stability, protection and traction, especially if the trail is rocky, steep or potentially muddy.“Most physical injuries on the trail aren’t training errors but the result of being in nature, Good shoes and hiking poles offer extra stability.” (Poles can also help clear snakes near your path.)

Hiking does carry some risks but taking a few simple safety precautions can help to ensure you get back safe and sound. If you’re a new hiker, go with a friend or a local group until you’re more experienced, And leave the selfie stick at home.Make a habit of telling at least one person where you’ll be and of checking in afterward. Leave a note on your car dashboard with your route so if you’re not back by sunset, rangers or rescue team will know where to find you.Finally, to avoid injury, don’t push yourself too hard or fast through more challenging trails. Remember: The point is to be able to see the views and smell the flowers.“Slow down, take in the scenery, listen to the birds, Just be present in nature.”

In today’s world of chaos and constant stimulation, it’s hard to quiet the mind and think. Getting into Nature offers a way to find some silence and clarity; and it’s an important tool to counter our standards of survival in society. The more and more pressure we put on ourselves, the more our health degrades. Our minds and bodies need silence in order to regenerate. 

Hiking is a great way to reap the benefits of what nature has to offer. The elements whip us into shape, and we sweat out our frustrations. As our muscles scream for mercy and our toes rub in our boots, we seek shade. The shelter of a tree is a luxurious refuge from the intense sun rays. Leaning against the rugged bark, the ultimate question surfaces: Why did I choose to do this? Hiking. Sometimes the fatigue from everyday life tries to dissuade us from getting outdoors; but in the end, the rewards of trekking unknown paths are too great. Hiking is a way for nature to give us some much-needed therapy; and depending on where we go, it’s affordable.

Here are a few reasons why hiking is the ultimate nature therapy.

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1. Hiking Soothes and Clears the Mind

We choose hikes based on how capable we are feeling or the size of the challenge we want. In either case, we end up mentally feeling the same: accomplished and clear minded. Everyday stressors seem so small, and we are motivated to let the damaging things in our lives go. It seems the cocktail of Hiking and Nature is a remedy for unclogging the mind of the unnecessary and allowing us to focus on the bigger picture. The speed of life, these days, seems to crowd our brains with too much information. With the clarity we gain from hiking, inspiration can pour in. we as AN have found Walking was imperative to our creativity, so we would take many walks throughout the day. Carrying essentials would write down ideas as they flowed. Most of us find that we can be more creative when we are active, as opposed to sedentary.

2. Hiking Makes us More Mindful

In Nature the birds serenade us, and the fresh air electrifies more than coffee ever could. The vibrancy of the trees and flowers overwhelms our eyes, while the deep blue of the sky inspires. All our senses are awakened when we spend time in Nature. Hiking helps connect us with our roots to this Earth, giving us a feeling of responsibility to protect and preserve its sacredness. It’s a way to get reacquainted with our personal passions. We often feel the drive to keep these places we hike sacred, as preserving the wilderness is vital to a better tomorrow for everyone.

3. Hiking Rejuvenates and Increases Happiness

Many studies have proven the beneficial effects of exercise on mental health and one’s outlook on life. Physical activity induces the release of endorphin (a powerful chemical in your brain) which energize your spirit, making you feel happy. What’s great is no matter the shape you’re in, you can even reap these benefits from a small hike. As we deeply breathe in the wilderness, the stagnant things seem to fall away. Feeling very much alive; the hike ends with us refreshingly fatigued, and yet somehow better equipped to handle “civilization”. The sense of accomplishment is gratifying enough to improve our perception on all things in life.

4. Nature offers us Advice

When we open ourselves up to receive what nature has to offer, we find that there are many nuggets of wisdom available. Going on a hike gives us the opportunity to recognize this advice and use it in our own lives.  all we have to do is listen and be enriched. We go into nature to seek something, and often end up finding our own true nature. Hiking provides us with a peaceful escape. It takes us away from the high rises, traffic, and constant encroachment of technology (civilization as we know it) into a serene wildness. In today’s world, it often feels like the Wilderness and Nature are more civilized than society. Maybe if we all went hiking a little more, we could impart the good we find in the wild into the culture we live in. All of us have to do our part and be active in protecting the places that provide this important refuge. 

Are you planning to begin your hiking journey? Well, this guide might just help you; it's no secret that hiking requires specific abilities if you want to give it a go. Not everyone needs to have the following abilities or attributes when they first start out, but it can serve as a helpful guide and list of skills to learn as you advance through your hiking Journey.

1. Endurance

It's no secret that hiking can be difficult at times, which is why having the endurance and stamina to complete your goals is a valuable skill to possess. When you're out on the route, there's no turning back, so having the ability to keep pushing forward and push through is essential not only for having fun and getting to the end, but also for making it all the way safely. If you don't think you have the stamina or endurance to make it all the way through an overnight hike, that's fine because it's not something you have to have from the start; you can start by doing simple day hikes and gradually building up your skills and endurance until you feel confident enough to take on a bigger challenge.

2. Flexibility

Flexibility does not imply that you have to be a great gymnast, but rather that you can adjust and change depending on the scenario. Hiking is an activity of unknowns, so being able to be flexible and change your plans is essential. You may find yourself needing to take a different route or use some of your backup food, and if you are not flexible, hiking in very unpredictable locations will be difficult, as will living in cramped spaces such as tents. Even if you don't believe you can be completely flexible right now, that's okay because as you progress as a hiker, you'll gain these skills and will eventually be able to take on longer trips as you develop this quality.

3. Tolerance

Sometimes things don't go as planned, and this is never truer than when hiking. Being able to handle the sometimes-constant series of setbacks or problems demands a great deal of patience and tolerance to get through, which is why it's such a vital trait for a hiker to have. Being able to keep your cool when things go wrong is critical because losing your cool can put you and others in unnecessary danger. If you don't believe you have the tolerance, that's fine because different hikes have different challenges, and many of those hikes require a lot less resilience than others. So, while choosing your first trek, it's good to go with something simple and low risk but remember to work on your resilience so that when you're ready to take on a bigger challenge, you'll have the abilities to do so.

4. Ingenuity

Hiking is a challenging exercise, which is why using ingenuity is essential. Fixing things on the go is a typical sight while out on the path, so having the ability to think of solutions on the fly will tremendously assist you in resolving challenges and problems that emerge. Having the capacity to think outside the box can come in helpful while trekking because there are many circumstances in which you must make do with what you have and demonstrate resourcefulness. If you don't consider yourself to be particularly resourceful, that's fine because, like everything else on this list, it's not something you have to have from the start and there is plenty of time to learn. However, if you believe you have some ingenuity, this may help you make the most of your hiking adventures.

5. Appreciation

Though trekking has many challenges, it also provides several opportunities to appreciate the environment and the breathtaking vistas you will encounter. Appreciating these moments of absolutely breathtaking views and natural sceneries is what hiking is all about, and it is what drives most people to push themselves to the summit. Making the most of these moments at the top of a vantage point or viewing platform that overlooks a valley or mountain range can significantly alter your experience and make the effort necessary to get there worthwhile. If you don't feel like you enjoy the summit as much as you should, that's alright and not an issue, but it's an excellent characteristic to have as a hiker. So, do you have all of these characteristics or none? It's crucial to note that these attributes aren't required for hiking but having them will undoubtedly make your next hike more fun and easier to complete.

The AN Hikers are a diverse group of people that enjoy hiking on numerous paths throughout the UAE. Many of the paths we hike have some of the most breathtaking views and natural beauty. We encourage you to take the initial step if you are a beginner; we will walk you through all you need to know to get started. Alternatively, if you're an experienced hiker, you'll be pleased to discover that many of our paths are a wonderful workout and equally tough in their own way. Either way, your experience will be enjoyable and entertaining! We hope to meet you on one of our upcoming hikes! Explore! Live!

Group Origin

Name: Adventur Next

Founded:  October 2, 2019

Founder: Nurul Ameen