This Summer, Take a Hike

Throughout June and July your local Patch will feature hikes in Benicia, Concord, Hercules, Martinez and Pinole. Check back weekly for a tour of hiking trails close to home.

Hiking offers benefits for both the mind and body.  There's a feeling of relaxation and enhanced well-being that comes from a hike in the woods.  Hiking can be as moderate as a walk around your block or as strenuous as a mountain climb. It’s a weight-bearing exercise that can help you to manage your weight, improve stamina and muscle strength, and is joint-friendly. Being outside in the sunshine provides the body with vitamin D, another bone-healthy reason for putting one foot in front of the other. 

Almost anyone can hike at some level.  If you have any type of hypertension or heart disease, you should check with your doctor before starting. Even if you are healthy, don't rush right off to the nearest mountainside. Train first by taking long walks on a flat surface, and also walking up and down steps or using an inclined treadmill in the gym to get in shape. Don't push yourself, and use common sense as you build up your endurance

Begin your journey with some flat scenic trails:

• Point Pinole offers sandy shores, marshland, eucalyptus groves, meadows, a freshwater pond and 12 miles of trails.  You may want to plan more than one trip to this park to experience all the trails.
• Martinez Shoreline has nearly three miles of trails; enjoy peaceful walks through the marsh and along the shoreline.
• Waterbird Regional Preserve provides hiking opportunities in the several miles of trails in the uplands area. Take the trail out of the parking area to reach the Meadowlark Ridge Loop for good views of the marsh. Walk to the northern end of the park toward the pepperwood trees to see signs of the old housing from the early 1900s.
• Contra Costa Canal Trail provides spectacular views, community access, and a challenging and rewarding experience to trail users of various abilities. It connects from Martinez to Concord. Plan to complete different sections of the trail. Biking is another great way to explore this local trail system.
• Benicia State Recreation Area offers beautiful views of the Carquinez Straits, hills in bloom with green grasses and trees, marshy wetlands and rocky beaches. 

Get your hiking shoes on and go explore the neighborhood.