It may seem like all we do here at twowildtides is hike. To be honest, it is partially true! You can read about the last time we tackled the East Coast Trail here. Hiking is a great way to squeeze in exercise, get outdoors (a.k.a. away from your books), and feel accomplished and adventurous. This week we took on Father Troy’s Trail, a moderate 8.5-kilometer path along the East Coast Trail that connects Torbay and Flatrock (about a 10-minute drive from St. John’s International Airport).
Father Troy’s Trail leads you across a rocky coastline, through the woods, along old ATV paths teeming with butterflies and the sweetest companions: a pony and a cow (hehe), over vast fields, through a traditional fishing community, and into a beautiful harbour with a rocky beach. This trail offers a little of everything.
We treat hikes as both an adventure and a fitness session. How do we kick moderately-rated hikes up a notch? Below I highlight some tips to make the most of your hike:
- Research your trail. Most local hiking trails, no matter where you live, have a website or a Facebook page. Find out how long the trail is and what type of landscape it offers. Choose the route (clockwise or counterclockwise) that involves more uphill hiking than downhill to really get your heart rate up.
- Bring lots of water. Carry a backpack with extra water bottles so if you start to feel out of breath you can take a break and hydrate.
- Bring a friend! Not only will you get to share the gorgeous views with somebody and get an opportunity to catch up with your friend or partner, you can motivate and challenge each other to push yourself physically and accomplish things you never would have thought possible. Your hiking buddy will encourage you to reach the peak of the mountain or, in our case, do your best handstand!
- Wear a pedometer. Whether it is a simple clip-on pedometer, a smart phone app, or a FitBit; being able to count your steps allows you to see your progress. If that trail seems like it will never end, have a peek at your pedometer to see how far you have come and set realistic goals for yourself.
What paths along the East Coast Trail have you tackled? What tricks do you use to make a hike into more of a workout? Let us know in the comments, we love hearing from you!
Check out the other ECT paths we’ve tackled:
Let us know what you think!