Thriving in Recovery: 3 Great Hikes in Los Angeles

Why Hiking is Great for Addiction Recovery 

Addiction is a serious disease that takes over seemingly every part of your life. When you’re spiraling in the midst of an addiction, you may find it impossible to focus on anything else other than your addiction. Your mind and your body will begin to crave the substance shortly after the effects of it wear off which puts you in a position to revolve around the call of addiction. Addiction could negatively impact your life in a multitude of ways. From jeopardizing your job to possibly jeopardizing your life, addiction is a debilitating disease. However, once you come to the realization that you need addiction treatment and you are ready to surrender to that treatment, you put yourself in a position where countless doors will open to you so that you can begin to move in the right direction. 

Throughout the course of your recovery journey, you will be exposed to new experiences and new ways of thinking. Something that you will be encouraged to try during treatment is outdoor activities. Hiking is a fun and physically demanding activity that can help to change your frame of mind when it comes to different aspects of your life. One of the things that hiking reinforces is the fact that you need to slow down and enjoy the environment around you. During life, and particularly when you’re suffering from an addiction, you may come to find that you feel as though you can’t take a deep breath in and out that you truly need. 

Keep in mind that while hiking can help to get you into a healthier mentality, there are also several other steps that you should take to ensure that you stay on the right path. For instance, attending Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous are crucial in your long-term recovery because these groups will put you in touch with other people that are working through their own recovery and provide you with the support and understanding that you may need. Also, continuing to remain active when it comes to different forms of therapy can help you to address the root causes of your addiction so that they do not jeopardize your sobriety in the future. 

Physical Benefits of Hiking 

One of the great things about hiking is the fact that there are several physical benefits associated with participating in this type of activity. Some of the examples of the physical benefits of hiking include 

Great weight loss tool 

During the course of your addiction, it’s possible that you may have gained an excessive amount of weight or lost weight as a result of this disease. Weight gain or weight loss can cause serious health concerns for any person. When you get up and get moving during a hike or even during general exercise, you will likely notice that you can maintain a healthy weight. This positive change in your weight can help you to feel better both physically and psychologically which is always an added benefit during the time that you’re in treatment and long after. 

Vitamin D 

Vitamin D is an example of a vitamin that tends to suffer when you’re in active addiction. It’s likely that you will not spend much time outside which can also negatively impact your Vitamin D consumption. The sun is actually a natural source of Vitamin D which means that just by going out on a hike, you will naturally absorb your daily recommended dose of this vitamin. 

A new challenge 

Every hike that you go on brings with it a new set of challenges. For instance, there are several hiking locations that offer a variety of different trails that you can explore along your journey. Also, you can take the time to go to hiking trails that you may not have experienced before. Regardless of the time that you go on your hike or where you go, you are likely to experience something new each time you venture out. 

Mental Benefits of Hiking 

You should never overlook the fantastic psychological benefits that are associated with going for a hike. Some examples include: 

Stress relief 

A leading psychological benefit of going on a hike is the stress relief that comes along with it. Before your hike, you may feel as though you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. However, once you get outside and start moving around, you may notice a steady decline in any other additional anxiety that you may be carrying. A short hike or a long hike can provide you with the distraction that you need during a difficult time. Therefore, instead of going to purchase your drug or drink of choice, you can get the stress relief that you need in a way that is healthy both physically and psychologically. 

A great way to reconnect with family

One of the nice things about going on a hike is that it’s something that you can do either on your own or with friends or family members. If you find that you’ve been struggling to put your family relationships back together after your struggle with addiction, hiking adventures may be the perfect way to accomplish this goal. There are plenty of easy hiking trails in and around the Los Angeles area that novice hikers can enjoy. This relaxed type of environment also gives you a fantastic opportunity to have a conversation with your loved one. That conversation doesn’t necessarily have to be about putting your relationship back together but it can open the door to continued work on it. 

Improved self-confidence and self-esteem 

As time goes by, you will start to notice a physical improvement in your body which is something that has a direct impact on your self-confidence and self-esteem. You may start to notice that you hold your head a bit higher when you walk into a room or that you feel more comfortable speaking to other people. This is just an added bonus that can help you to remain focused on your goal of continued sobriety. 

Great Hikes in Los Angeles for People in Recovery 

Although Los Angeles is primarily known for its notable celebrity residents, one of the reasons why so many Los Angeles natives love the area is because there are numerous hiking trails that are within close proximity to the center of the city. If you’re ready to test out your hiking skills, then you should definitely take the time to explore these hiking trails: 

The Hollywood Reservoir

The Hollywood Reservoir provides you with a unique way to see the Hollywood landscape. As you’re hiking along this trail, you will notice that you can see the city of Los Angeles on the horizon, however, you can also enjoy the environmental beauty that surrounds this legendary city. One of the nice features of the Hollywood Reservoir is the fact that it’s a paved hiking trail. This means that if you want to go for a run or a bike ride through the area, you can do so without feeling as though the terrain is too challenging. 

6381-6399 Weidlake Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90068

Trail Canyon Falls Trail

Trail Canyon Falls Trail has a more rugged terrain in comparison to other hiking trails that are in the area. Although this is still categorized as an “easier” trail, you will still want to ensure that you have all of your hiking necessities in order. You should always wear hiking boots on this trail and bring along some water and snacks for your journey. One of the best aspects of this hiking trail is that, as the name indicates, there is a waterfall at the end of the trail which gives you the perfect opportunity to cool off or just relax before you take the hike back.

19600 N Trail Canyon Rd, Tujunga, CA 91042

Charlie Turner Trailhead

Charlie Turner Trailhead is a more strenuous hiking trail, however, it’s one that will allow you to see some of the great sites associated with the area. For instance, at the end of this hiking trail, you will be able to take a walk through the Griffith Observatory which is designated as a planetarium with telescopes and fantastic views of the city. Overall, it should take you a little over three hours to navigate which presents you with a wonderful distraction for those hours. 

2840 W Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

The Resurgence Behavioral Health recovery team is available right now to help you put the pieces of your treatment program together. We understand that every client has their own unique needs when it comes to addiction treatment programs which is why we focus on providing our clients with the individualized level of care that you need so that you can make the most out of your time in treatment. For more information about how our team can help you through this process, please get in touch with us today at (855) 458-0050.

Find some wonderful hiking trails in Los Angeles to get outdoors during your recovery! #losangeles #resurgencehttps://t.co/Kwv6Kw8XRn

— Resurgence Behavioral Health (@RBHRecovery) January 12, 2022

David Rofofsky
After growing up in New York, David chose to get help with substance abuse in California because of the state's reputation for top-tier treatment. There, he found the treatment he needed to achieve more than nine years of recovery. He's been in the drug and alcohol addiction rehab industry for eight years and now serves as the Director of Admissions for Resurgence Behavioral Health. David remains passionate about the field because he understands how hard it is to pick up the phone and ask for help. However, once the call is made, someone's life can be saved.

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