Hiking is an excellent form of exercise and one of Denali National Park’s most popular tourism activities. For beginners, tackling a trail can be a challenge until they build up their strength and stamina. Here are some tips to help you improve your skills while you explore the outdoors.

What Should First-Time Hikers Know?

1. Practice Weekly

Moving from easy to more challenging trails — such as some of those in Denali National Park — requires muscular endurance, strength, and agility. Before you set off for the tourist destination in Alaska, take a weekly hike on local trails or parks. These practice sessions are opportunities to develop your footwork, test your gear, and gain experience planning hikes. You can do this alone or as a member of a group for extra motivation.

2. What to Carry

You will need a few essentials to ensure your journey is safe and fun. Tourism and parks officials recommend packing a map and compass, a flashlight, matches or a lighter, a small toolkit, and an emergency shelter.

You should also carry a first-aid kit, nonperishable food, and plenty of water, at least 1 liter for every two hours of travel. Additional water supplies may be needed depending on your height and weight, weather conditions, and the difficulty of your chosen trail.

3. Select Beginner-Level Trails

Look for a trail slightly shorter than the distance you’re comfortable walking on a level surface. Even easier trails will feature uneven terrain and will require more exertion and effort to reach the end. Beginners should plan for a pace of about 2 mph. Add another hour of hiking time for every 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Before setting out, look over a map of your chosen trail to review the route and make note of any natural or manmade features along the way.

Enjoy the diverse wildlife and stunning natural scenery of Denali National Park when you book a room at Totem Inn in Healy, AK. This full-service hotel is located just minutes from hiking trails, scenic lookouts, and tourism hotspots of the highest peak in North America. They offer family-style dining at affordable prices and a wide range of entertainment options and amenities to make your stay comfortable. Visit them online or call (907) 683-6500 to book a room today.