52 Hike Challenge: Hiking Highlights

Guys, guys, guys – I’m a little happy over here. Not only have I finished the 52 Hike Challenge this year, but in October! Phew. And without feeling rushed about it. Ah-mazing. Time to kick back and rejoice a little.

The Hikes

Here’s a lovely list of the glorious 52 hikes completed this year for the 52 hike challenge if you’re looking for inspiration! I’ve written about most of them if you’d like to know more details like directions, trail conditions, elevations, accessibility, and yay or nay for pups. Some I have yet to write about, but I will, and I’ll add the links here as well.

1. Sugarbush Trail, Parc Gatineau, Chelsea, PQ
2. Manitou Mountain, Calabogie Peaks Resort, Calabogie, ON
3. Lime Kiln Trail, Stony Swamp, Ottawa, ON
4. Chapman Mills, Rideau River, Ottawa, ON
5. Perth Wildlife Reserve Conservation Area, Perth, ON
6. Point Trail, Murphys Point Provincial Park, Perth, ON
7. Luskville Falls Trail, Parc Gatineau, Luskville, PQ
8. Shirley’s Bay Loop, Shirleys Bay, Ottawa, ON
9. Manitou Mountain, Calabogie Peaks Resort, Calabogie, ON
10. Blue Circle Trail, Foley Mountain, Westport, ON
11. Coulonge Falls, Coulonge, PQ
12. Dedication Trail, Frontenac Provincial Park, ON
13. Doe Lake Loop Trail, Frontenac Provincial Park, ON
14. Summit Trail, Mont Gosford, PQ
15. Mer Bleu Conservation, Ottawa, ON
16. Wilson Carbide Mill, Gatineau Park, PQ
17. Chutes de Denholm, Denholm, PQ
18. Sentier l’acropole des draveurs, Malbaie, PQ
19. Sentier les rapids, Malbaie, PQ
20. Sentier l’erabliere, Malbaie, PQ
21. Sentier le riverain, Malbaie, PQ
22. Perth Wildlife Reserve Conservation Area, Perth, ON
23. Eagles Nest via Little Pines Trail, Calabogie, ON
24. Chapman Mills, Rideau River, Ottawa, ON
25. Wolfe Trail, Gatineau Park, PQ
26. Chapman Mills, Rideau River, Ottawa, ON
27. Unknown Trail, Maniwaki, PQ
28. Blue Circle Trail, Foley Mountain, Westport, ON
29. Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO
30. Lucille Lake, Squamish-Lillooet, BC
31. Lynn Canyon Park, Vancouver, BC
32. Whistler Via Ferrata, Whistler, BC
33. Nairn Falls Provincial Park, Pemberton, BC
34. Nahahi Ridge, Kananaskis, AB
35. Ha Ling Peak, Canmore, AB
36. Hoodoo Trail, Fairmont Hot Springs, BC
37. Tent Ridge Horseshoe, Kananaskis, AB
38. Luskville Falls Trail, Parc Gatineau, Luskville, PQ
39. Chutes de Denholm, Denholm, PQ
40. Cliff Top Trail, Bon Echo Provincial Park, ON
41. High Pines Trail, Bon Echo Provincial Park, ON
42. Oiseau Rock Trail, Sheenboro, PQ
43. Unknown Trail, Maniwaki, PQ
44. Eagles Nest via Little Pines Trail, Calabogie, ON
45. King Mountain Trail, Gatineau Park, PQ
46. Rock Dunder Trail, Seeley’s Bay, ON
47. Blueberry Mountain, cliffLAND, Lanark, ON
48. Bow River, Bow Valley, AB
49. Bow River, Bow Valley, AB
50. Marble Canyon Trail, East Kootenay, BC
51. Ink Pots Trail, East Kootenay, BC
52. Rock Dunder Trail, Seeley’s Bay, ON

The Highlights

Every hike was different either with the the weather, the company, or what I got out of it. Each one though, I’d say was a sanity saver.  Some people paint, some go the church, others play sports, but for me it’s hiking and getting outdoors.

Throughout the 52 Hike Challenge, there were four hikes that really stood out and to be honest I think a large part of it was the company I had on each of those hikes. The highlight reel includes Mont Gosford, L’acropole des draveurs, Nahahi Ridge, and Blueberry Mountain.

The Joys

One thing I’ve discovered is that like most lovely humans, I tend to get a lot of joy from being outdoors. It feels right. Doesn’t matter if I’m out on my own or with others, whether is sunny or stormy, there’s always a positive benefit in connecting with mother nature.

• Fresh air
• Vitamin D
• Local discoveries
• Self-reflection
• Deeper connections
• Movement
• Fauna
• Flora

The Ripple Effect

The beauty about this challenging and increasing my hikes is the surprising ripple effect that it’s had among friends and girl gone good followers alike.

Friends that I’ve brought hiking are now hiking independently and bringing their friends out on our local trails. It’s been a joy to see more people taking to mother nature to shake off stress!

The 52 Hike Challenge

Pretty sure I found them on Instagram initially, then decided to sign up myself to see if I could actually make hiking enough of a priority to reach 52 in the year.

52 Hike Challenge states that it “is a global movement empowering you to take a personal journey to discover the physical, mental, and spiritual benefits gained through hiking once a week for an entire year.”

I think that’s been done. Tenfold. You can tell by the smiles.

Ok, now to plan the next hike…