Hiking is one of the most enjoyable activities because while you are getting exercise, you can enjoy the beauty of nature. Hiking is basically walking, except climbing a few more hills and perhaps carrying a backpack for food and water. The hills can increase the amount of calories you burn because unlike walking on a flat surface, walking uphill creates more gravity that your body has to work against. This gives your hamstring, quadricep and calf muscles a great workout. A 150 lb. person can burn up to 400 calories per hour of hiking.
Caution: It is always important to pack enough water to stay hydrated, particularly if you hike on a hot day. It is also important to pack some snacks (fruits, vegetables, granola bars) if you plan on a long hiking trip. Make sure you know the difficulty of the hiking trail before you take children or older adults with you, as they have a tendency to get tired and dehydrated faster. Older adults with heart or lung conditions, diabetes, arthritis, or back troubles should avoid hiking as it might be too strenuous of an activity.
To find a trail near you in the state of Iowa, visit
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/trailresources/trails-index-iowa.html