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If you’re looking for a date that is good for your health, why not hike together? Some people like to be “doing something” on a date like jogging, whilst others prefer talking.  Hiking meets both of those needs as you can be walking and talking at the same time. It’s also great for one of the first dates you have with someone because it’s amazingly easy to talk when you’re out in nature.

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Before your date:

• Research the hiking trails that are near you.  Is the beginning and ending of the trail in the same place or should you park somewhere in between? Is parking available nearby, does parking cost anything? Is it a long distance? What is the difficulty level of this hike? Is there a bathroom nearby, should you or your date need one?
• Plan your course and print out a map, if available.
• Take plenty of water and a couple of apples, energy bars and nuts for hiking snacks in your fannypack. Bring along enough for your date, in case they didn’t.
• Pack your camera and smartphone.
• Bring and use sunscreen and bug spray.
• Bring your sunhat, some areas of hiking trails are not covered by foliage.
• Consider bringing a trekking pole and use it, but kindly offer it to your date occasionally if he/she does not have one.

On your date:

• Stay on the path.
• If you get on a path that’s too difficult for one of you to navigate, be willing to turn around.
• On narrow paths, take turns leading.
• It can be fun to use a walking app, like the Walkmeter app. It shows everything you need to take your walk: maps, graphs, statistics, terrain, and speed. It will also help you find your way back on the path, if you didn’t listen to my advice to stay on the path!

3 Great Hiking Dates In Hertfordshire

Heartwood Forest

Heartwood Forest has over half a million trees! With all that woodland, meadow areas, and wildlife, there’s more than enough nature to talk about on your date! You can decide your level of difficulty here this historical forest offers three gentle walks that are recommended by the Woodland Trust. If you are looking for something medium sized for this date, why not try “The Wildlife Wander”, which is a two and a half mile journey that takes you through wildflower meadows, past ancient oak trees, and through a newly sprouting forest, offering an excellent visual variety. Parking, public toilets and more than one place to get a fizzy drink, when finished with the hike, nearby if you decide you would like to spend more time with this person!