5 Tips, for Beginner Hikers.br Hiking is not only great exercise, it can br also improve your mood and overall health. .br MyFitnessPal recently spoke with Wesley Trimble, br program outreach and communications manager for br the American Hiking Society, for some beginner tips.br These tips br will help you br hit the trails br this summer:.br 1. Set a smart goal.br Hiking trails fall under 3 levels of difficulty: , easy, intermediate and difficult. .br Start with easier hikes and work br your way up to harder trails. .br 2. Strength training can help.br Navigating steep terrain requires br strong legs and a strong core. .br Squates, deadlifts, br kettlebell drills and br pushups all help build br muscles that are br necessary for more br difficult trails. .br 3. Planning is key.br Either take a photo or print br out a copy of the trail map.br Make note of where you parked, br how long you expect the hike to take br and where you plan on turning around. .br 4. Bring water and snacks.br Even for short hikes, br be sure to bring some br nonperishable snacks br like trail mix, energy br bars or jerky. .br Most importantly, bring water, br at least half a liter for every br hour you plan to hike.br 5. Pack these br other essentials.br The American Hiking Society br recommends carrying:, a compass, flashlight, whistle, first-aid kit, br Swiss army knife, sunscreen and sunglasses. .br It's time to hit those trails.