It's good for you, too. Hiking is a powerful cardio workout that can:

Hiking outdoors has plenty of perks: nice views, fresh air, and the sounds and smells of nature.

Step Up Your Hiking Workout

You can get more out of your hiking with these fitness-boosting strategies.

Start slow. A short, local hike is best for beginners. Gradually work up to trails with hills or uneven terrain.

Use poles. Digging into the ground and propelling yourself forward pushes your upper body muscles to work harder and gives you a stronger cardio workout.

Head for the hills. Even a small hill will intensify your heart rate and burn extra calories. Miller says a 5% to 10% incline equals a 30% to 40% increase in calorie burn.

Bump it up. Uneven terrain can work muscles while improving balance and stability.

Weigh yourself down. Stock your day pack with extra weight. (Water’s a good option.) According to Miller, a 10- to 15-pound day pack will boost your calorie burn by 10% to 15% while strengthening your lower back muscles.

Get into a groove. On the days you can’t make it to the trails, power-walk on a hilly terrain while carrying various degrees of weight in a backpack -- it will keep your hiking skills and fitness level on track.