Autumn is one of the ideal seasons for outdoor activities because it’s that time when you can enjoy pleasant and cool weather without missing out on the sunshine (at least in most places).
What’s more, it’s one of the most picturesque times of the year, as you can delight in the transformation of tree leaves, which start out green and end up turning yellow or red.
That’s why, below, I want to recommend 5 of my favorite outdoor activities to do in autumn.
1. Hiking
If you’re an adventurer like me, this activity will be among your favorites. It involves walking along trails where you can discover unimaginable natural surroundings. A crucial point is to carry functional and lightweight objects, as weight is fundamental. If you’re looking for a light and easy-to-use bag for your next hike or short backpacking trip, the 2400 SOUTHWEST model by Hyperlite Mountaingear is the one.
2. Rock Climbing
This is one of the most complete sports you can do outdoors. It’s one of the activities I most enjoy doing on natural rock, especially in autumn, as it’s the optimal climate for this exercise, which stands out for burning calories quickly and making you sweat fast.
Climbing helps you improve your physical condition, exercise every muscle in your body, overcome your fear of heights, and—if you do it outdoors—breathe fresh air. To practice it, you must have specialized and safe safety equipment, mainly a harness, helmet, climbing shoes, and rope.
A good harness that fits you well is essential to feeling secure. Personally, I always use the Petzl brand, as it has a good track record and popularity for its professionalism. The model I use is the Petzl Aquila, one of the newest and lightest on the market.
If you want to learn all the basics of this sport, I recommend you visit my special article on climbing.
3. Bicycling
If there’s one outdoor activity suitable for all ages, it’s bicycling. It’s one of those sports we usually learn from a very young age and that still accompanies us into adulthood.
To do this activity, you only need a good bicycle, a helmet, comfortable clothes, specialized shoes (optional but helpful), and lots of enthusiasm to move your legs quickly.
Nowadays, many cities around the world are very friendly for cycling, as they have hundreds of bike lanes, such as Portland, Oregon, where I reside. If, like me, you live in an area with bike lanes or at least a good park for riding, don’t miss out on cycling.
A bicycle I recommend for its lightness and comfort is the Giant Escape Disc III—trust me, you’ll see the difference compared to a conventional one.
4. Ziplining
If you want to overcome your fear of heights, ziplining is a good starting point. You’ll be suspended by cables from the top of a mountain, gliding from one end to the other, enjoying unique panoramic views along the way that will surely surprise you.
5. Mountaineering
Climbing mountains involves more risk, so it’s important that before attempting it for the first time, you train with an expert to learn about the experience and the necessary equipment.
To wrap up, I recommend avoiding unpleasant experiences by carrying the necessary provisions depending on the situation (I personally always carry RXBAR protein bars in my backpack). Remember, your endurance and challenging paths will need to become friends if you want to start practicing any of these activities.