Let me guess, you’re getting ready to go hiking, you’ve picked all the stuff that you need for today. But you never asked yourself, is your body ready for today’s hike? What nutrients are needed for hiking ? And what supplements do hikers use ? When we talk about supplement, many people have different opinions about them. For example, there are many nutritional experts who state that there’s a pill to pop for every issue our body has, and there are also others who claim that they are a waste of money, and will do harm to our body.

But if you would to ask me, i would say that i’m somewhere between those 2 groups of people. And yes food is much more important and safer than taking some supplements, but when we talk about hiking, us hikers would lie if we told you that we don’t need supplements. Because of that, i decided to create a list where i sorted out the best supplements for hiking. These are the supplements that i personally use, and i have to be honest with you, they do really help me to succeed in my hiking goals, they make it easier. I’ve listed out various types of supplements that will be a game changer for you.

Electrolytes

When we hike, we start to sweat a lot, and that can lead to electrolyte imbalance. Electrolytes are crucial to help to balance the amount of water in our bodies. The main electrolytes in our bodies are sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium, and they play very important roles in bodily functions that involve your heart, nerves and muscles.When your electrolyte levels go down, you will feel fatigued, which is going to make it harder for you to continue the hike. One of the best ways to supplement with electrolytes is to buy it powdered and add it to your water before your hike.

Fish Oils

Hills can over time really make you tired, and they cause a lot of stress on our muscles and joints. It is obviously bad, because it will cause pain and inflammation, and most people try to counter this by using medications like ibuprofen. This can’t help you long-term, but avoiding it is the best thing you can do. Fish oils have omega 3 acids, which contain anti-inflammatory effects that can help you to subside pain and discomfort. Fish oils are supplemented in simple once a day soft gel pills.

Peptides

There are some peptides like CJC-1295 and Ipamorelin which can improve your stamina and energy levels by stimulating growth hormone production, potentially allowing you to make progress in your hiking goals. You can buy peptides from various online stores, and peptide shop offers high quality peptides. There are also peptides like BPC-157 which will strengthen your tendons and ligaments, and we all know how important that is to us hikers.

Protein Powder

Even though protein powders are mostly mentioned in bodybuilding world, and not in hiking world, however even for us hikers, there are benefits from using this supplement. Protein is needed for muscle recovery after a demanding day in the mountains. So try it for yourself, before going hiking quickly drink a simple serving of whey protein. This will give you all the essential amino acids that are needed for muscle growth and repair, and whey protein is the most popular choice. 

Conclusion

Preparing your body for hiking with the right supplements can make a real difference in your endurance, recovery, and overall hiking experience. While food should always be the primary source of nutrients, supplements like electrolytes, fish oils, peptides, and protein powder can give you that extra support, helping you handle the physical demands of hiking with less fatigue and pain.

Few months ago when i moved to Nashville,one of our neighbors, who was a really kind man, told us about the waterfalls near Nashville. Ever since I moved in, I have had a big desire to go and visit them. So that’s what i did. I have to say that it was a really beautiful hike and would definitely do it again. I will share a few tips how to make this hike really interesting.

Machine Falls Loop

It’s a part of Short Springs Natural Area. Depending on where you’re coming from, it’s about an hour drive from outside Nashville. It’s a pretty quick drive and i think you’ll enjoy it.

Where Do We Park ?

When you arrive, you’ll see a parking lot on the right side. It might be full when you arrive, but when i went there i was lucky, because it was empty. But if you come into the situation that the parking lot is full, then you should return at some different time, rather than parking in non-designated areas. 

What Should We Bring ?

Me and my family quickly made some sandwiches at home, and ate them before heading here. The choice is yours, but we like to eat before going, so we can focus on our adventure. You can carry some water bottles with you, if you want, but it’s not a really long hike. But just in case, I brought some with us. I would also advise you to bring some hiking shoes that are okay to get wet. You’ll definitely find yourself tromping through a few gurgling veins of creek water. I also advise you to bring a lunch in a backpack and have a picnic near waterfall. It’s really a great family experience. We also did this. 

How Long Is The Hike ?

We decided to do the part of Machine Falls loop that takes you down to the base of waterfall and back. I’d say it’s about 1.6 miles round trip, but it was really quick. I think it took us somewhere between 15-20 minutes to get to the falls. The pathway is covered by woods and trees and pretty narrowish. And in my opinion it makes it even more interesting.

Is It A Difficult Hike ?

Don’t worry, most of it is pretty easy. But be careful as you approach the falls, you’ll need to go this steep section. It’s a combination of steps and natural tree roots. Just be a little careful as you’re walking, and you’re good. Also be prepared for a bit of an adventure as you’re trying to get down to the falls.

Was It Crowded ?

Like i said the parking lot was empty, so we didn’t see anyone. We approached this bridge, but we decided to not continue the hike. We stayed at the base of falls, and after resting for a while, we decided to head back (the same way we come). We don’t usually take hikes, but this one was special and everyone was having a great time. Even my kids, who are constantly on their phones and distracted, enjoyed this hike and enjoyed nature.There are some really cool spots over here. For example we climbed up the rocks and stand by the water. I recommend you to take some pictures of this wonderful waterfall, and enjoy this beautiful view. Overall it was such an interesting experience.