Hike Nova Scotia inviting you to go hiking

With more and more people looking to get out of the house for some fresh air, exercise and good activity for mental health, Hike Nova Scotia can help.

Hike NS, which is a registered not-for-profit society, encourages and promotes hiking, walking and snowshoeing throughout Nova Scotia.

According to Hike NS, hiking and connecting with nature improves the following: physical health, mental health, social well-being, economic prosperity and environmental appreciation and protection.

The volunteer-driven organization offers a wide variety of events including the Fall and Winter Guided Hike Series, the annual Hiking Summit, Outdoor Council of Canada courses and Re-connecting with Nature workshops.

As the host of the Nova Scotia Chapter of the International Appalachian Trail, Hike NS also offers the Hiker Challenge program and Leave No Trace Education.

Several guided hikes are being offered by Hike NS over the winter months across the province. There will be plenty of opportunities to go with either snowshoes and boots, depending on the weather and ground conditions. The following website lists the various hike opportunities, grouped by region - www.hikenovascotia.ca/news-andevents-events/.

Hike NS also offers the following activities, including webinars and workshops that may be of interest to those who enjoy the outdoors:

January: Winter Guided Hike Series - 13 hikes

• Jan. 26: Intro to Snowshoeing Webinar

• February: Winter Guided Hike Series - 16 hikes

• Feb. 6: Field Leader - Winter Module, Scotsburn

• Feb. 11: Happy Hiker Feet How-to Webinar

• Feb. 18: Intro to Hiking Webinar

• Feb. 24: Come Walk With Us Webinar

• March: Winter Guided Hike Series - 8 hikes

• Mar. 6: Field Leader - Winter Module, Inverness County

• Mar. 23: Intro to Hiking Webinar

• Jun. 4-6, 2021: Hiking Summit, Chéticamp

There are other outdoor recreational opportunities to choose from. For instance, the Town of Truro offers free use of snowshoes and cross-country ski equipment, as well as skates. In fact, one can sign out skates for two days at the Colchester – East Hants Public Library, which is adjacent to the large public outdoor skating rink built and maintained by the Town of Truro. The County of Colchester also offers free use of recreational equipment to individuals or groups, including snowshoes. All of these activities, of course, must adhere to the existing COVID19 restrictions.

There are also private or business organizations that encourage outdoor recreation. For instance, Hub Cycle normally leads regular snowshoe hikes for groups in beautiful Victoria Park. They also rent and lead fat bike outings in the Park.

Hopefully the number of COVID-19 infections remain low so that this type of activity can be restarted.

It is important that young and old try to keep themselves healthy, both physically and mentally, during this challenging time of a oncein-a-100-year pandemic. Developing good habits around food, sleep and exercise is an important part of taking care of yourself and your loved ones. Why not get outside, make the best of our short winter, and have fun?