FEET WERE MADE FOR WALKING . . .
…That’s just what they do!
And if they’re not used to walking on certain textures and surfaces, they will soon adapt with just a bit if practice.
“And forget not that the Earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.”
—Kahlil Gibran
But Barefoot Hiking?! . . . Sure!
Nothing feels more natural than hiking through nature barefoot.
The toes and soles of our feet have the same sensory capacity as our hands and are meant to sense the surfaces they tread. The many textures and sensations offered by the earth, grass, moss, gravel, mud and other natural surfaces provide a sensory delight for bare feet. Many could not see hiking any other way!
HIKING BAREFOOT causes virtually no trail erosion as a bare foot makes much less of an imprint than a booted foot–offering an environmentally sound choice for hiking.
Videos of barefoot hikers and climbers in action:
- We tried to hike the Welsh 3000s barefoot – Two barefoot hikers climb
- Matt Cardell – Climbing barefoot to the top of Mount Elbert (+14,000 feet), Colorado’s highest mountain (2016)
- “Extreme” Barefoot Hiking – A blissful barefoot hiker hiking Camelback mountain in Arizona while juggling sticks (2014)
- Happy Barefoot Family – Hiking in Brisbane National Park in Australia (2011)
- Barefoot Ted McDonald and Barefoot Larry – Climbing Mt. Whitney (2007)
- Tom Perry – Climbing in rugged mountain terrain (2007)
Above: Video of a barefoot walk and hike at Godolphin House in West Cornwall, England with Dr. Steven Bloor, the barefoot podiatrist (2013)
Blogs and Articles on Barefoot Hiking
How to Start Barefoot Hiking – by multiple authors in WikiHow, (June, 2022)
Barefoot Hiking is fun and a good workout for the feet – by Kriss Sands, in his “Born to Live Barefoot“ blog series (September, 2020)
How To Start Barefoot Hiking, a brief introduction, WikiHow – (Article and video) Provides helpful step by step advice for one’s first barefoot hike (updated, April 2020).
Barefoot in the park: the joy of walking over rocks and roots, by Ailsa Ross, article in The Guardian. Ross, from Canada, describes her transition to barefoot hiking to better experience her outdoor environment, helping her recognize and appreciate the smaller details underfoot, along with the larger vistas surrounding her (April, 2020)
Barefoot Hiker takes on Wedge – by Joel Barde, in Pique Newsmagazine – The story of Tommy Gaudet, a barefoot hiker from Whistler, BC, who finds that he can hike quicker and better without footwear (Sept., 2019)
Barefoot Hiking Tips & Benefits – All You Need To Know! – by Luna Anderson, in Hiker Track. A comprehensive article on what you need to know (2018)
Barefooting the Great North Walk, One Man’s Journey from Sydney to Newcastle – (Blog account) the personal account of Australian barefoot hiker Jeff Pages (2016)
Barefoot Hiking – by Darren Richardson, article in the Appalachian Voice, (August, 2006)
“The Art and Sole of Barefoot Hiking,” John Harder’s inspiring article (originally written for Healing Options newspaper, Vermont) in which he relates his transition to barefoot hiking and the benefits he gained (April, 1997)
Barefoot Hiking related websites periodically updated
Barefoot Hiking – by John Harder. An introduction to barefoot hiking, including a list of benefits and considerations for those new to the idea (original date unknown. Periodically updated).
“General Hiking Considerations,” HikeWNC – An example of a general hiking website that endorses hiking barefoot as a reasonable choice in various environmental circumstances.
Barefoot Parks – Describing environments (currently mostly in Europe) specifically designed for going barefoot (periodically updated).
The Best Barefoot Trails in United Kingdom – Wikiloc website on Barefoot Trails in the UK, periodically updated.
Barefoot Hikers Chapters:
• Connecticut, (Thomaston) — Richard K. Frazine
• Minnesota — Jim Guttmann
• Missouri (Greater Kansas City) — Tom Kutscher
• North Carolina — Asheville Barefooters — Troy Brengle
• North Carolina — Raleigh, Barefoot Hikers of the Triangle — Omar Wiggan
• Pennsylvania (NJ, DE, MD) — Christopher Roat
If you hike barefoot, or would like to, and would like to head-up your own Barefoot Hikers chapter, please contact us for information and about adding a link to your site on this page.
Interested in trying a barefoot hike? Here’s a Beginner’s Guide.
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The Barefoot HikerA Book About Bare Feet It’s a “how-to” book on barefoot hiking, but also on bare feet in general including thoughts, perceptions, and a historical and cultural viewpoint. |