Looking for a fun, healthy activity to do this summer?  How about hiking?  It’s really great excercise (especially for toning legs) and you get the chance to take in some great natural scenery while doing it.  Hiking is also a relatively low-cost activity.  Depending on how much you hike, you probably won’t need much.  Besides a comfortable pair of outdoor shoes or boots and a sturdy pack, some essential items to carry with you are: a map, a compass, a pocket knife, a whistle, a personal first aid kit, driking water (especially in the heat), a flashlight, matches, rain gear and food (nuts are great…they’re packed with energy).

Once you have the basics, the next thing you’ll need to find are some good hiking trails.  Fortunately, Vista Ridge is only a short drive away from some great trails at the Friedrich Wilderness Park.  You can even print out trail maps from their website.  If you’re new to hiking, start with an easy trail lik the Main Loop Trail.  It’s about 1.5 miles through diverse habitats and it climbs over 300 feet to the tops of the hills!  Oh…one more item you may want to bring is a camera.  Might as well get some great photos while you’re out there, right?

For more info, you can contact their staff at (210) 564-6400, Monday through Friday except holidays, from 7:30 am until 4 pm. Park hours are from 7:30 am to Sunset, every day (except Christmas & New Year’s Day).