--- title: Take a mindful hike this winter description: Hiking in nature provides an opportunity to tune in to our own experience and to the world around us. Simply by doing so, we're practicing mindfulness. image: https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/hubfs/Mindful%20walking.jpg --- [Back to smilingmind.com.au](https://www.smilingmind.com.au/) [![](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/hubfs/SM_BlogLogo_black.svg)](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au) [Login/Sign up](https://app.smilingmind.com.au/?_ga=2.99144346.505229074.1559522319-1047861382.1534989894) - Mindfulness - [Meditation](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/meditation) - [Informal mindfulness](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/informal-mindfulness) - [Mindful eating](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/mindful-eating) - [Self care](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/self-care) - [Tips & Tricks](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/tips-tricks) - At Home - [Children](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/children) - [Parents](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/parents) - [Family](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/family) - In Schools - [Students](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/students) - [Teachers](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/teachers) - [Schools](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/schools) - At Work - [Workplace](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/workplace) - [Business](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/business) - Mental Health - [Anxiety](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/anxiety) - [COVID19](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/covid19) - [Mental Health](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/mental-health) - [News](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/media-release) [Informal mindfulness](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/informal-mindfulness) 2 minute read # Take a mindful hike this winter ![Smiling Mind](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/hubfs/SmilingMind_Icon_RGB_Purple-Background.png) by [Smiling Mind](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/author/smiling-mind) ![Mindful walking](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/hubfs/Mindful%20walking.jpg) May 24, 2019 ### Need some fresh air? Our resident psychologist [Catherine Morey-Nase](https://www.smilingmind.com.au/catherine-morseynasse) explains how an occasional hike in the great outdoors won’t only benefit your physical body, but also has significant benefits on our mental health. Hiking in nature provides an opportunity to tune in — both to our own experience and to the world around us. While it can be easy to get lost in thought or daydreams while hiking, the simple practice of mindfulness can draw us more closely into our experience of the natural world. Hiking outdoors can also deepen our connection with friends and family. > **Hiking while enjoying great conversation and laughter is one of life’s most enjoyable activities, it’s about remembering to stop and smell the roses, or the eucalyptus, as the case may be.** Unlike a traditional gym, the added benefit is that you are getting some fresh air. Hiking exercises both your body and your mind, and the benefits are endless, including: - stress and anxiety reduction - increased energy, emotional regulation - enhanced awareness and creativity - improved concentration - increased productivity ![image-from-rawpixel-id-528227-jpeg (1)](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/image-from-rawpixel-id-528227-jpeg%20(1).jpg?width=1200&name=image-from-rawpixel-id-528227-jpeg%20(1).jpg) While walking, you strengthen and oxygenate all of the major muscle groups including your brain, and rejuvenating your senses while captivating your heart. > Nature truly has a healing and restorative power, being outdoors also helps alleviate stress and anxiety, and assists with recovery from mental fatigue. While seated meditation practice is important, hiking is also a great opportunity to be more mindful in an informal way. ## Our top tips for mindful hiking Mindfulness is a simple practice which can reduce stress and increase calmness. Learning how to be mindful while hiking is straightforward, and the benefits can come quickly. 1. Pay attention to each step; 2. Bring awareness to your senses; 1. **Stop and look** at what is above and below you 2. **Pause and listen** to the soothing sounds of the outdoors 3. **Touch and feel** the contact of air against your skin 4. **Smell** the scents around you ![image-from-rawpixel-id-535576-jpeg](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/image-from-rawpixel-id-535576-jpeg.jpg?width=1200&name=image-from-rawpixel-id-535576-jpeg.jpg) ## Here's a list of our favourite places to take a mindful hike The list below is a good start to plan your journey to mindfulness. ### New South Wales The Grand Canyon Loop at Blue Mountains National Park.  [See more here.](https://www.theurbanlist.com/sydney/a-list/sydneys-best-hikes) ### Victoria The Toorongo Falls Circuit Walk in West Gippsland. [See more here.](https://www.theurbanlist.com/brisbane/a-list/we-love-these-epic-hikes-around-brisbane) ### Queensland The Curtis Falls Circuit at Mt Tambourine. [See more here.](https://www.theurbanlist.com/brisbane/a-list/we-love-these-epic-hikes-around-brisbane) ### South Australia The Ridge Trail at Mt George Conservation Park. [See more here.](https://www.walkingsa.org.au/news/best-summit-hikes-in-south-australia/) ### Western Australia The Bells Rapids River Walk in Swan Valley. [See more here.](https://www.theurbanlist.com/perth/a-list/best-walks-hikes-perth) ### Northern Territory The Barrk Sandstone Walk at Kakadu National Park. [See more here.](https://northernterritory.com/things-to-do/outdoor-activities/walking-and-hiking/short-walks) ### Tasmania Russell Falls in Mt Field National Park.  [See more here.](http://www.traveller.com.au/six-of-the-best-tasmanian-day-walks-ghhb3o) ### Don't have time to go on a hike?  No worries!  Simply head outside and do the Connecting with Nature activity in the [Smiling Mind app.](https://www.smilingmind.com.au/smiling-mind-app) ![Screen Shot 2019-05-15 at 10.45.31 am copy](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202019-05-15%20at%2010.45.31%20am%20copy.png?width=1089&name=Screen%20Shot%202019-05-15%20at%2010.45.31%20am%20copy.png)     ![Smiling Mind](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/hubfs/SmilingMind_Icon_RGB_Purple-Background.png) ### Written by [Smiling Mind](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/author/smiling-mind) ### SIMILAR POSTS [![](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/hubfs/pexels-nicole-michalou-5765722.jpg)](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/switching-off-and-reflecting-on-the-year) #### [Switching off and reflecting on the year that’s been.](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/switching-off-and-reflecting-on-the-year) [Workplace](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/workplace), [Mental Health](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/mental-health), [Meditation](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/meditation), [Self care](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/self-care), [Informal mindfulness](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/informal-mindfulness) 2 minute read [![image-from-rawpixel-id-103739-jpeg-1](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/hubfs/image-from-rawpixel-id-103739-jpeg-1.jpg)](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/10-mindfulness-strategies-for-students) #### [10 mindfulness strategies to prevent stress at exam time](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/10-mindfulness-strategies-for-students) [Parents](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/parents), [Teachers](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/teachers), [Students](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/students), [Schools](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/schools), [Self care](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/self-care), [Informal mindfulness](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/informal-mindfulness) 2 minute read [![](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/hubfs/image-from-rawpixel-id-6008957-jpeg.jpg)](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/using-stress-to-build-resilience-0) #### [Using stress to nurture resilience skills](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/using-stress-to-build-resilience-0) [Children](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/children), [Parents](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/parents), [Mental Health](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/mental-health), [Self care](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/self-care), [Informal mindfulness](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/informal-mindfulness) 2 minute read [![](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/hubfs/Partnerships/MYOB/FY%2021.22/Nov-Dec%20Content/Paris%20-%20SIRAP/022_CatherineBlack2021_MYOB_SmilingMinds_Paris_WEB.jpg)](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/3-mindful-business-owners) #### [The stories of 3 mindful business owners](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/3-mindful-business-owners) [Business](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/business), [Mental Health](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/mental-health), [Self care](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/self-care), [Mindfulness](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/mindfulness), [Informal mindfulness](https://blog.smilingmind.com.au/tag/informal-mindfulness) 3 minute read [![What is the Mental Load? 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