Getting outside can feel intimidating when you’re new. I still remember standing at a trailhead on Vancouver Island during one of those “is it mist or is it rain?” days, wondering if I should turn around and go home. I didn’t have the right gear, and I didn’t feel outdoorsy at all.
If you’ve ever felt that way, you’re not alone. Most people start exactly like this. You don’t need special skills or confidence to begin. One small step is enough.
Here are four reasons why I believe outdoor adventure is for everyone:
1. You can start at any fitness level
You don’t need to be fit or fast to enjoy the outdoors. If the thought of hiking a mountain feels overwhelming, skip the mountain. Start with short neighbourhood walks, an easy loop at Elk/Beaver Lake, or a day trip to the Gulf Islands to seek out a beginner-friendly trail and a local coffee shop. Even small adventures can build comfort, strength, and trust in yourself.
Beginner tips:
- Choose trails marked easy
- Adventure close to home
- Go at your own pace
- Turning around early is completely fine
Read more: Solo Hiking Tips for Beginners
2. You don’t need expensive gear
Most beginners hike in whatever they already have. All you need is comfortable clothing that will keep you warm and dry. For our rainy west coast days, a two-dollar rain poncho will do! Going for a hike on a nice day? Your running shoes will probably be just fine!
Thrift stores often have great fleece layers at reasonable prices, and dollar stores can help you put together a simple essentials kit. You can add better gear later once you know what activities you enjoy.
Read more: What Are the Ten Essentials for Hiking?
3. Being outside helps you notice more
Time outdoors naturally makes you pay attention to things you might have missed before, tides, weather changes, trail conditions, seasonal plants, or signs of local wildlife.
This awareness shows up in small ways: packing out your garbage, staying on marked paths, or thinking ahead about changing conditions. You don’t need to know everything. You just need to be present.
Spending time outdoors connects you with nature, exposes you to unique new places and adventures, and makes you more conscious about your impact on the environment. You become more aware of just how fragile our planet is.
Read more: Leave No Trace Principles to Protect Our Wildlands
4. Your mental health will thank you
You don’t need a long hike or a major adventure to feel the benefits. A short walk after work, a stroll by the ocean, or even a loop around your block can help you reset. There have been many days when ten minutes outside made me feel more grounded than anything else.
Spending time in nature is linked to improvements in mood, mental health and emotional well-being. Feeling stressed? Get outside, go for a walk and unwind. It might be just what you need.
Read more: Best Outdoor Adventure Websites to Fuel Your Wanderlust
Confidence comes later
One of the biggest leaps I ever took was signing up for a five-day kayaking trip with Wild Women Expeditions. I had almost no kayaking experience and was nervous about being out on the water.
But the guides were patient, the group was supportive, and exploring the Broken Group Islands turned into one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
It reminded me that you don’t need to feel confident before you begin. Be scared and do it anyway. Confidence grows with every small step you take.
Key takeaways
The outdoors is for everyone. You don’t need to look a certain way, know the jargon, or push yourself into activities that don’t feel right for you. Curiosity is enough. All you need is the desire to explore.
Start small. Stay open. Learn as you go.
The trails, beaches, and forests of the West Coast will meet you where you are.
