The Ultimate Guide to Urban Hiking

Not everyone is blessed to live in an area where there are actual hiking trails with real elevation gains and sweeping vista views. I live in New Orleans, so the only elevation gain I get is when an oak tree’s roots burst through a sidewalk. I don’t let the lack of traditional hiking trails stop me from getting outside—I change my mentality.

If you can’t change your parameters, change your perspective! Urban walking is a great way to explore a city on foot. You might find yourself in an area of town that you’ve never visited before. Heck, you might even find your new favorite coffee shop or restaurant. 

Urban hiking isn't a new concept, but the activity has become more popular on social media. Kira West (@bykwest) is a wellness, travel, and fitness expert who inspires others to live their best life, and urban hiking has played a large part in her own wellness journey.

Growing up in New York City, West made urban hiking a part of her daily routine: “A lot of what I love about urban hiking, and also walking, is it’s really accessible, and it's a very accessible way to start a fitness journey," she says. "Sometimes it can be really hard to figure out where you start, but if you're wanting to try and move your body, one of the things I love about walking is you can kind of just get up and go.”

While running requires special sneakers and a high impact, walking doesn’t! That’s honestly my favorite thing about urban walking—it’s not running. So on your next city vacation, give urban hiking a try.

Best Cities for Urban Hiking

Some cities have organized greenspaces and walkways that make urban hiking a breeze. Chicago, in particular, is one of the best cities for urban hiking. “…one of the things that I loved about Chicago [is there’s so much green space], there's different parks and there's so much that you can explore, from the Lakefront Trail to The 606," says West. "[Chicago’s Lakefront Trail] is such a beautiful way to get to know the different neighborhoods of Chicago, because the trail mirrors, in some ways, what's happening on the other side…”

Greenville, South Carolina, is another city that comes to mind. The 22-mile Swamp Rabbit Trail is an awesome paved trail that takes you through town and also through some more rural, natural areas—the best of both worlds. Austin is another city with some scenic urban trails. The Ann and Roy Butler Trail offers some spectacular views of the Austin skyline and Lady Bird Lake.

Other great cities for urban hiking include:

• New York City
• Miami
• Boston
• Baltimore
• Seattle
• Philadelphia

Realistically, every city is a great city for urban hiking. Sure, some cities are easier to navigate on foot than others, but the best part about urban hiking is that you blaze your own trail.

How to Find Trails for Urban Hiking

One of the simplest ways to find urban hiking trails is to open Google Maps or Apple Maps. Of course, if you’re in a truly walkable city, AllTrails might even work! The best part about urban hiking is that you get to pick your own path. 

This is the first thing I do whenever I’m in a new city—I always opt for walking over driving to get a feel for the area. It's always surprising to me how many miles I can rack up on foot when I'm traveling, yet I'm the first one to reach for my car keys when I'm home.

You’ll also be more likely to remember landmarks and understand the city better, as Kira West suggests: “[Urban hiking or walking] is a really beautiful way of getting to know how the city fits together," she says. "It’s easier for me to map out a city in my mind when I'm walking through it, or even taking the bus, versus getting on the train.”

Safety Tips

There are plenty of safety tips to keep in mind while urban hiking. It’s always a good idea to know certain areas' crime rates before walking through them. Time of day plays a large role in your safety, and I’d recommend keeping your adventures during the day until you get more comfortable with the area and the different neighborhoods.

Just about everyone listens to music, an audiobook, or a podcast while urban hiking (also a recommendation from West). Make sure you keep your tunes to an appropriate level so you can still hear what's going on around you. Pay attention to traffic and nearby cars, and always be aware of your surroundings. 

Women especially should stay vigilant. A few tricks I’ve used over the years are to use car and window reflections to see behind you nonchalantly. Some folks carry a small bottle of pepper spray (if legal) or a whistle. A personal safety alarm also gives peace of mind, especially if traveling alone.

Tips for Urban Walking

Finding the time to go urban hiking can be the biggest challenge. Kira West offers a few tips on urban hiking so you can begin to work it into your routine even when you're not traveling: “It's always really nice to do it in the morning or in the evening as a way to break up work from home," she says. "I know a lot of folks are still working from home at least some days a week, and it can be really hard to turn off or block out your day the same way that you would if you're physically going into an office.”

I love urban hiking not just as a way to get outside and move my body but also as my primary portal for catching up on my favorite podcasts and audiobooks.

While urban hiking can certainly be a valuable solo activity, it’s also a fabulous way to connect with other people. “I'm not a big alcohol drinker, and I love to eat and go to dinner, but everyone has different goals," says West. "And so I found that walking is a great way to connect with friends, or have meetings and be able to chat through things, but also to get some movement in.”

This article is part of our Known Traveler series where we highlight creators who share inspiring travel and lifestyle content. Check out the full edition for Wellness Wanderers.