Short Hikes

Not everyone can or wants to hike all 2,000-plus miles of the Appalachian trail from Georgia to Maine, or the Long Trail the length of Vermont. But most of us could use a little more exercise and, maybe, a break from the daily stresses of our jobs and modern living. One of the best ways to accomplish both is to take a short hike.

First, let's define our terms. For our purposes, a short hike is anything you can comfortably do in sneakers, carrying no more than a rain jacket, bug spray, a water bottle and a snack. Of course that leaves a lot of room for variation. I know some folks who regularly stroll all 26 miles of the Wapack Trail from Ashby, MA to Peterborough, NH in one day and don't think anything of it. I know others who would have trouble negotiating a half mile of flat roadway without getting totally winded.

For most of us, I'd guess, a short hike is something under 5 miles without major elevation gain. Once you need boots, start climbing, or need to carry a bigger backpack, you're probably moving out of the realm of short hikes.

It's easy to understand why people are so enamored of the concept of short hikes. It's something almost anyone can imagine themselves doing. And, best of all, it's something almost anyone can do no matter what their age or fitness level.

That, of course, makes it a perfect excursion to share with your whole family.

The trick is to get yourself motivated to actually get out and go walking. The way to do this is to find something that appeals to you, then seek out trails that offer the reward you prefer.

I happen to love flowing water. It draws me like a magnet. I love the sight and the sound of it. Not surprising, then, that my favorite short hikes are ones that follow the banks of brooks or rivers, or lead to them.

While I was visiting the Kennebec River in Maine for a rafting expedition. I'd arrived in the area a little ahead of schedule had an hour or two to explore. While driving along the road from The Forks to Lake Moxie, I happened to notice a sign for Moxie Falls, about 6/10ths of a mile off the road. Perfect, just long enough to stretch out travel-stiffened legs.

The path to the falls was well maintained, just an easy stroll though the woods, and the falls themselves were simply wonderful. The spring runoff was still in full force and the water thundered over the 90-foot drop. I've since heard it claimed that this is the highest single-drop waterfall in Maine and that wouldn't surprise me. I also heard that some local kids have jumped off into the deep plunge pool below and that one died doing it. No thanks. I spent a half hour just watching the water flow. A most pleasant little excursion while on the way to elsewhere.

What pleases you? Scenic overlooks? There are hundreds of short hikes that suddenly open up to unexpected views. Seascapes? Marshes? Ponds? Blueberry meadows? Lofty forests of pines or hardwoods? Ditto, ditto, ditto and ditto. No matter what you want, you can probably find it nearby and just a short walk away

There's definitely a magic about trails -- even short ones. They disappear into the woods or over the crest of a hill and the only way you can find out what's really out there is to follow them.