After a year of being quarantined, many of us cannot wait to
get back to living life outdoors. The smell of the luscious green grass and the
sound of nature is what some of us have yearned for throughout the course of
the pandemic. Since most states nationwide are seeing a decline in virus cases,
many people have started back on their outdoor workout regimens. When it comes
to an outdoor activity like hiking, some cities offer the best routes and scenery,
while others lack in providing the necessary route or safety measures.
Lawnstarter
determined the best and worst cities for hiking by using quantifiable factors
that affect the quality and suitability of a hike. Data was collected by using
11 key indicators, which are categorized into route
access, route diversity, route safety, and climate. Lastly, Lawnstarter also compared the 150 most
populated cities in America by totaling up their scores across those 11 key
indicators. When it comes to our beloved state capital Baton Rouge, we rank the
lowest on the list for great places to hike. The lack of hiking routes and a stifling climate are the two main contributing factors for its low score.
Other cities that aren't ideal for hiking include: Mobile, Alabama;
Shreveport, Louisiana; Jersey City, New Jersey; and Tallahassee, Florida. If
you reside in or plan to visit these cities, you can still make an effort to
hike your own way. These cities may not be the most fruitful when it comes to
hiking trails, but they have great parks and walking trails where you can still
enjoy nature and take care of your mind and body. According to Lawnstarter, the
cities that are great for hiking all contain: the right climate, safe hiking
routes, good air quality, and low natural hazard risk. These cities are mostly
located within California, including San Bernardino, San Francisco, and San
Diego. Western cities, according to the study, in general tend to have better
quality and support for hiking. So if the city you are in doesn't fit your
hiking needs, then consider heading out west.
For more information on hiking and expert advice concerning this activity, visit lawnstarter.com.
