I signed up for the 52 Hike Challenge in January 2024 as my New Year’s Resolution.
The idea is simple but not easy: complete 52 hikes in one calendar year (hypothetically one hike per week).
I was so NOT convinced I could finish that I didn’t tell ANYONE I signed up.
In January I did two hikes. I doubted myself and wondered why I had bothered to sign up.
Then, I took life by the horns (or the hiking shoes) and did 8 hikes in February and a whopping 15 hikes in March.
On June 29th, I completed hike #52. That means I did 52 hikes in only 6 months.
As of December 4th, I’ve done 76 hikes with 254 miles and 52,951 feet in elevation gain.
I surprised myself in SO many ways. I learned a lot, gained invaluable experience, and lost a few things. Turns out 52k in elevation gain takes you to some incredible heights.
Remember, it doesn’t have to be a New Year’s Resolution. You can start the challenge any time of year, and it will continue for 52 weeks after your start date.
“Things” I Gained
The best things in life are free (although some money for hiking gear sure does help).
And in this challenge, all the things I gained aren’t things at all. They’re new perspectives, states of mind, and bucket list items that got crossed off.
1) A New Sense of Adventure
Adventure is our specialty and it’s easy to get caught up in finding the best hikes in the most epic places.
But this challenge reminded me that not every adventure has to be some epic experience. Sometimes the best way to explore is by hiking local trails that are easily accessible.
Sometimes it’s more rewarding to drive only 15 minutes to a hike rather than spending an entire day driving 2.5 hours each way (been there, done that).
There’s a time and place for spending your entire weekend chasing mountains, but it’s not always about that.
It’s time to redefine your definition of “adventure.”
2) Bucket List Hike Complete
One of my dream hikes was Grinnell Glacier in Glacier National Park. It’s an 11-ish-mile hike in the northeast corner of the park.
And she is a BEAUTY. Few hikes have ever been able to compete with the stunning mountain views, bright blue lakes (pictured below), abundant wildlife, and three beautiful glaciers in one hike.
This park area was closed in 2020 due to COVID-19, so I didn’t get to hike it on our first visit.
Fast forward four years, and I finally got the chance to cross it off my to-do list.
Maybe waiting four years made the views even more magical. But damn it was a magical place.
I hope your 52 Hike Challenge can inspire you to visit places as insanely cool as Grinnell Glacier.
3) An Appreciation For Cold Plunges
One of my sub-goals for hiking this challenge was to swim in as many cold lakes as possible.
After living in plenty of places where the water wasn’t clean enough for regular swimming, I wanted to take full advantage of Montana’s pristine waters.
The crystal-clear water is soooo cold and refreshing. It makes me feel ALIVE.
It’s scary at first. But I’ve never regretted getting in.
And now I can say I’ve been swimming in some of the most beautiful lakes in the country.
Plus, the cold water feels AMAZING after a long, sweaty day on the trail.
4) Trail Wisdom
Trail knowledge is more than just common sense, it’s a culmination of lessons learned through a willingness to embrace challenges head-on.
It’s lessons learned through experience and trial/error.
And I learned A LOT throughout my 76 hikes.
I used to consider myself an intermediate hiker. Now I’m advanced after completing the challenge.
From knowing what to pack and how much water to bring, to learning how to pace myself and what to expect on trail.
My #1 hiking lesson this season was knowing how to fuel properly to sustain long day hikes. Believe me when I say eating and drinking the right things can turn a hiking frown totally upside down.
All That Was Lost
“Losing” something is a negative thing most of the time.
You lost your keys. You lost the game. You lost your mind.
But there are things that are good to lose.
1) Weight
Few workouts can compared to the calories burned while hiking.
I’m not science-y enough to explain why, but hiking for a few hours can burn upwards of a THOUSAND calories.
Hiker hunger is a real thing. And boy did I get a taste of it.
Over the summer months, all my hiking led to a 20-pound weight loss.
And if you’ve carried a 20-pound backpack before, you know that cutting that weight makes hiking faster and easier.
2) Self Doubt
I had A LOT of self-doubt about this challenge. So much so that I didn’t even tell anyone that I signed up.
I doubted I would have the time. I doubted I would be physically able to squeeze it into a year.
But I MADE the time. And I did way more than squeeze 52 hikes into one year.
We are capable of so much more than we can imagine. And our bodies can go much further than we push it in our day-to-day lives.
One of my favorite movies is Project Ice Man and Anders Hoffman says:
“Today, we often put boundaries on ourselves or other people, making up limitations of what is achievable. But I want to show that limitations are only perceptions of what we can achieve. That even the ordinary can achieve the extraordinary through passion, extreme dedication, and an immense belief in yourself.”
3) Unnecessary Materialism
One of the biggest lessons learned in the 52 Hike Challenge is that you don’t need much to live a rich and fulfilling life.
And when you can carry a finite amount of stuff while hiking, you redefine what you “need.”
I always say: “You can go almost anywhere with clean underwear and a sense of adventure.“
I’ve never felt more full of life and love than after completing an epic hike.
Because on the trail, it’s the moments that matter. It’s about the journey and the people you share it with.
I have a new level of appreciation for experiences over possessions, and I hope to carry that philosophy on all my future adventures.
Tips for Completing the Challenge
How did I manage to complete 52 hikes in only 6 months? Believe me that it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.
So here are some tips to help you stay committed to your goal:
1) Remember Your Why
Why did I sign up in the first place? I wanted to push myself to get outdoors as much as possible.
I know I’m the best version of myself when I spend time outside. Everything else clicks into place.
Plus, it was a GREAT excuse to explore my new home state and hike my butt off.
Every time you feel like you can’t keep going, remember why you signed up in the first place.
2) Don’t Only Weekend Warrior
I’m very fortunate to live where I can walk out my front door and go hiking. I can also drive to some pretty epic destinations.
But if you only go hiking on your weekend, it’s WAY too easy to get behind.
Utilize those long summer days to hit local trails before or after work. Then use your weekend to drive somewhere for longer hikes.
3) Don’t Obsess About the Numbers
The whole point of this challenge is to get outside – and to enjoy doing it.
Don’t get caught up in the numbers – just go hiking.
If you feel weighed down by the daunting number of 52, take a step back and just do one hike at a time.
4) Hiking Isn’t A Question..It’s The Answer
If you’re wondering if you should go hiking or not, 9 times out of 10 the answer is YES.
Even if you “don’t really want to.”
Even if you’re tired from work.
Even if you don’t have anyone to go with.
Because I ALWAYS felt better after I went.
5) Know When to Say No
On the other hand, sometimes you have to listen to your body. And sometimes your body says no.
And that’s OKAY.
Take the day off (or a few days) and get back to it when you’re feeling more like it.
Final Thoughts
Completing the 52 Hike Challenge didn’t just take me to new heights—it reshaped how I see the world and myself.
I gained adventure and clarity while leaving behind self-doubt and fear.
Turns out the real trail magic isn’t just in the views, it’s in the transformation. It’s about the journey.
As Miley Cyrus would say, “It’s all about the climb“.
76 hikes later, I’m living proof that the lighter your pack, the fuller your heart.
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