Photo by Mandi Carozza

Do you like to wake up before the sun and start your hike in the crisp morning air? Or do you prefer to snooze your alarm and hit the trails later in the day to witness a painted sky sunset and see the stars?

Both times of day have their benefits. Check it out:

The Benefits of Morning Hikes

When you hike in the morning, you can see the sunrise and hear the birds waking up with the day. You’ll enjoy cooler temperatures, and you’ll likely encounter less crowds. This means a better chance at scoring a parking spot at populated trailheads. Plus, you’ll have more daylight to take a full day hike. 

The Benefits of Evening Hikes

If you hit the trail in the evening, you’ll see sunset, and if you stay out into the night, you’ll enjoy lots of solitude while you gaze at the moon and stars. This hiking time also presents weekday hiking opportunities for those who have full time jobs, making the trails more accessible for those who work from 9 to 5. 

So, which hiking time do you prefer?

We teamed up with Oboz Footwear to ask YOU - our community - which time of day makes for a better hike: in the early morning or late afternoon? 

Here’s what you said…

AM Takes the Cake: 89% of You Voted for Morning Hiking

With 71 votes in favor of early morning hikes, the majority of our hiking community prefers to wake up early and seize the day.

Some of the top reasons you shared are…

• Safety: Hiking during the day is a safer option especially for beginner hikers or while hiking with kids.
• Weather: Setting out with the morning sun provides cooler temperatures than taking a hike during peak heat.
• Solitude: Watching the day wake up is a peaceful experience that most of the world does not witness.
• Spiritual: Waking up with the earth allows you to connect with nature in a meditative and introspective way.

In the words of one challenger, Paige W (@paige.outside), “there is a stillness in the morning that is unmatched throughout the rest of the day.”

Hear what else Paige has to say about her stance for morning hiking:

“Am I a morning person? Well, I'd have to say, "that completely depends on the situation." If I'm trying to wake up to go into work, I'd say "probably not." If I'd hung out with friends late the night before it would be, "not so much." But, if it involves waking up for an outdoor adventure, my answer would be, "absolutely, yes!" every single time.

Now, I'm not here to knock a good sunset. I'll gladly take an evening walk, sit out on the porch, or take a long afternoon drive just to catch one more sunset. But when it comes to hiking, especially while on vacation, I'd pick a morning hike every time. There is a stillness in the early morning that is unmatched at any other time of day. The air feels like it is holding its breath; wildlife are out and about, but unhurried and relaxed; and often there are no other people around.

I especially think of this stillness and preference for morning hiking when I reflect on my travels, especially those in National Parks. The National Parks are popular destinations for a great reason, but with that popularity comes some less desirable side effects for the introverted. I combat this by heading out in those cool hours of the early morning. Not only do I beat the heat this way, but I can also get ahead of the crowds. This isn't to say there is anything wrong with the crowds in National Parks, after all, nature is for everyone! My biggest regret during my trip to Grand Teton National Park is that I did not take a particular hike as early in the day as I had hoped and planned. 

I had done a lot of research prior to the trip and found several hikes that I had wanted to complete during the week-long trip. I was excited about the opportunity to see wildlife and enjoy the morning light coming up over the mountain tops. I was, however, on this trip with several other people. I mentioned that I wanted to get up early one morning and complete this specific hike. Several people expressed interest that they would like to join me. Well, each morning came and we would end up cooking large breakfasts and enjoying hot drinks by the campfire. And every day we'd hit the trails just before lunch time. Finally, the night before our last day in the park, I reminded the group that I'd like to get up early and go on this particular hike to view wildlife. In the morning, I was faced with the same coffee-sipping, sit-down-breakfast-eating people I'd been hanging out with all week. By the time we got to the trailhead, the sun was high in the sky and the moose, bears, and elk were long gone, resting in the shade, far from sight.

While this was a huge disappointment to me, it reminded me that there are many kinds of ways to enjoy nature. Breakfast and drinks by the fire is an absolutely lovely way to spend a morning outside. And, yet, getting up extra early, grabbing my water bottle, shoving a couple granola bars in my backpack, and scampering off to the trailhead is my preferred method to enjoying a morning outside!”

If morning hiking is your jam or if you want to give it a try, here are some quick tips for your next adventure:

• Wear layers so you can dress down as the weather warms up.
• Bring lots of water and sun protection if you’ll be out all day.
• Pack a thermos of coffee to share at the summit or during sunrise.

Now that you’ve heard a strong argument for why morning hiking is ideal, let’s dive into how an evening hike could be just right for you.

PM is Less Preferred: 11% of You Voted for Evening Hiking 

Photo by Karla Amador

With only 9 votes in favor of evening hikes, our community certainly likes to hike during the day. But our founder, Karla Amador, and a few of you challengers have strong claims for why hiking in the late afternoon and into the night can fill your heart with joy.

Some of the top reasons you shared in favor of evening hikes are…

• Adventure: Night hiking adds an extra layer of excitement to your trip, and you get to see nature in a whole new light – or lack thereof.
• Sleeping In: Some of us just aren’t morning people, and the idea of embarking on a grand adventure first thing in the morning seems daunting.
• Sunsets: Sunset is undeniably one of the most beautiful parts of the day, and there’s no better way to witness it than from the wilderness.

In the words of 52 Hike Challenge Founder Karla Amador, “Sunsets truly align me with gratitude for the day.”

Hear more about why Karla loves to set out to see sunset and stay out beyond it:

“I really enjoy evening hikes for various reasons. 

First, I get to de-stress after a long day of work. I like my mornings reserved for a nice cup of coffee or tea, breakfast, meditation, contemplation and yoga. Then I like to shower and get ready for my work day. After a long day, I like to go for a walk or hike and then get dinner ready. If I opt to go for a longer hike, I try to plan my dinner accordingly. In the past I ran two businesses, and it was necessary for me to get outdoors after work to help me release the day. As a mom of a teen at the time, I would be busy during the mornings with getting him breakfast and to school. The days were reserved for work. I found the best time to hike was around sunset. Even today, I don’t find too many crowds, the weather is nice, and I love those beautiful skies and watching the sunset.

Being outside in nature in the evening reminds me that I too can let the day’s worries go and that tomorrow will bring a new day.  

Second, I live in the desert now and during the summer, evenings are cooler for getting outdoors. The sun doesn’t set until around 8:30 PM and that still gives me a good 4 hours of adventure time. The other day my boyfriend and I got to hike a local peak. We had plenty of time to connect and got to the summit right before sunset. We enjoyed it, but especially loved the way down when the sun was setting and the sky looked like it was on fire with the soft hues of red, orange, pink, and purple. We kept stopping to admire the views and steal a kiss. 

Lastly, I LOVE sunsets, and New Mexico ones are epic and awe-inspiring. Sunsets truly align me with gratitude for the day. They allow me to practice gratitude, one of the highest frequencies we can vibrate. Sunsets also remind me to be present and grounded. Since I teach people about mindfulness (being in the present moment, meditation, gratitude…), I practice it too. Nature and evening hikes allow me to keep my physical, mental, spiritual and emotional needs in check. I reflect on what went well in the day, and can process anything else that is on my mind. Many times I find that hiking  and looking at the views gives me perspective. I always find comfort and a sense that my concerns/worries are truly small. I get a bird’s eye view literally, and it allows me to reframe, surrender and trust that all will be okay and work out in my life when I feel worried or if I am dealing with a difficult situation. 

So don’t hesitate to make hiking in the evenings something you check out or put on your agenda. It may be just what you need after a stressful day: a time to reconnect with gratitude, a time to connect with a loved one, or a way to look at the skies and say, “Thank you!”

Did Karla convince you to give evening hiking a chance?

Stay safe on the trails by following these quick tips:

• Carry a headlamp so you have illumination after sunset.
• Pack layers as temperatures will drop after the sun goes down.
• Bring sunglasses to enjoy the sunset safely.

So, you’ve heard how evening hiking can impact your psyche. Now it’s time to get outside and hit the trails!

Whether you choose to hike in the early morning hours or as the sun gets low in the sky, you’ll undoubtedly have a nice experience in nature. 

And why choose one or the other when you have 52 hikes ahead of you?

Sign up for the 52 Hike Challenge Today!

When you take the 52 Hike Challenge, you’ll have the flexibility to hike at all hours. Since this hiking challenge encourages you to hike once a week for a whole year, you’ll have 52 opportunities to explore which hiking times work best for you. 

Here are some quick tips to help you get started on your year-long hiking challenge:

General Tips for Day Hikes During Your 52 Hike Challenge

• Carry the 10 essentials: From a first aid kit to a fire starter, fill your pack with essential gear so you’re well-prepared for any outdoor adventure. Learn more about the 10 essentials here.
• Always let someone know where you’re going: Have an emergency plan in the event that the unexpected happens, and leave a note for a loved one before you set out.
• Wear appropriate footwear: Keep your feet happy for many miles by finding your perfect pair of hiking shoes or boots at www.ObozFootwear.com.
• Sign up to take 52 hikes: You won’t regret committing to a year of hiking adventures! Join our hiking community now at www.52HikeChallenge.com