Fall Hiking Activities-Appalachian Outfitters

Fall Hiking Activities

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Fall is arguably the best season for hiking. There is a bright crispness to the air, the forests are awakened with changing leaves, and the animals are busy preparing for their winter hardships. Fall is an outdoor lover’s paradise. There is an abundance of wildlife to observe, a rainbow of colors at every turn, comforting smells of dried leaves and damp earth, and the rhythm of the forest ecosystem seems to be slowing down to a calm dreamy melody. We are truly spoiled during these Autumnal months. Now is our time to play. Here are some creative ways to enjoy every moment of our beautiful fall days:

Collect a rainbow of fallen leaves

Try to pick up as many different colored leaves as you can. Take some time to figure out which nearby tree it has fallen from. Bring a guidebook with you on your hike and use the leaves to identify the tree.  Get to know them and soon every time you see their fallen leaves it will be like meeting an old friend. When you get home, arrange them to create a mandala pattern. It is a wonderful relaxation technique and will help relieve some stress. You can also dry the leaves and frame them to create a beautiful handmade work of art and a lasting memory of your day on the trail, but be sure to comply with local regulations, as many parks do not permit you to remove anything from the premises.

brown fallen leaves

Search for mushrooms

Don’t pick mushrooms for consumption unless you are confident in identifying them and are in a place where mushroom hunting is allowed. There are so many different kinds of mushrooms, so be sure to bring a guidebook or take pictures as you find them. If you are going on a hike with a group of friends or family, it can be fun to see who can spot the most mushrooms by the end of the hike. Take lots of pictures!

mushrooms growing on tree stump

Join us for our Fall hiking series

If you are located in Northeast Ohio, at the beginning of September, we lead group hikes twice a week on different trails throughout the Cuyahoga National Valley. It’s a great way to connect with nature and make some new friends at the same time!

What to wear

Now that you have some fall hiking activities to look forward to let’s talk about what you should wear while you’re out exploring. If there is one piece of information you take away from this article, please let it be “LAYERS”. The layering system is key to enjoying a full day out on the trails during this time of year.

Always bring a light jacket, you never know when those blue skies will suddenly turn grey. Our store carries several lightweight, waterproof, and windproof jackets that are perfect in case you are caught in one of those unexpected showers, plus most of them are able to fold up into their own pocket, making it super easy to stash away in your backpack. 

Patagonia Men's Torrentshell 3L Jacket

Marmot Women's PreCip Eco Jacket

Patagonia Men's Torrentshell 3L Jacket
Marmot Women's PreCip Eco Jacket

Another important tip is to bring a light but warm pullover or hoody. Fall temperatures are known to fluctuate throughout the day. Having something to throw on to keep the early morning or late evening chill off will make being outside that much more comfortable. 

Kuhl Men's Ryzer

Patagonia Women's Better Sweater Jacket

Kuhl Men's Ryzer
Patagonia Women's Better Sweater Jacket

You will also want to ditch the thin, ultralight summer hiking pants or shorts you’ve been wearing and move into something a little thicker with a bit more durability. Wet leaves can be very slippery so wearing pants that won’t rip easily is always a smart idea. Find a pant that is comfortable and offers a great range of motion while providing nice warmth and protection. 

Fjallraven Men's Vidda Pro Trousers

Kuhl Women's Freeflex Roll-Up Pant

Fjallraven Men's Vidda Pro Trousers
Kuhl Women's Freeflex Roll-Up Pant

Can't forget about throwing a few accessories in your backpack, like a warm hat, buff, and a pair of gloves. These are small items that can make a big difference in keeping you comfortable and warm all day long. Easy to throw on and take off when you need to. 

Outdoor Research Gradient Beanie

Smartwool Merino 150 Glove

Buff Merino Lightweight + Wool

Outdoor Research Gradient Beanie
Smartwool Merino 150 Glove
Buff Merino Lightweight + Wool

Where do you keep all these layers while you’re hiking? In your backpack! The perfect size for a leisurely trail hike is a bag between 20-30 liters. Enough room to hold any extra layers you may need, plus a snack and some water.

Deuter Trail 24 SL

Exped Summit Lite 15

Deuter Trail 24 SL
Exped Summit Lite 15

Happy Hiking! Hope to see you on the trails!

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