Update:
The Vancouver guided hikes are currently full. There’s still space in the Victoria hike, but please register in advance. You can join along from any trail by sharing your #FirstDayHike photos on social media. Read below for all the details
Start off the new year on the right foot, then the left foot, then the right again, by joining us for a First Day Hike on January 1, 2020.
The idea is simple: round up your kids, friends, family, coworkers, neighbours - whoever! - then head to a local park and hit the trails.
If you love meeting new people and hiking in groups, or if you’re not 100% sure the best trail for this time of year, look for a guided hike near you.
Join Us
UPDATE: Both Vancouver guided hikes are currently full. If you’re in the Vancouver area, join us for a one-hour guided hike in Pacific Spirit Regional Park. You’ll be led by BC Parks Foundation’s Director of Parks Prescriptions, Dr. Melissa Lem; and Metro Vancouver Regional Parks’ Special Events Assistant, Celina Starnes.
JUST ADDED: Guided First Day Hike in Victoria
Dr. Jan Ray will lead an all-ages hike around the beautiful marshlands of Swan Lake in Victoria, starting at 1pm. Please note that dogs are not permitted on the trails. Please sign up in advance, here.
Hike to Win
If you take part in a First Day Hike, either with us or on your own, you can enter for a chance to win one of three (3) prize packs from the new BC Parks Foundation Shop!
To enter, post a photo on social media of you taking a First Day Hike on January 1. Make sure to add #FirstDayHike and tag @healthybynaturecanada on Instagram and @HBNCanada on Twitter. On Facebook, you can post your photo on our page, either on our wall or on the First Day Hike post’s comments. See below for full contest details.
About First Day Hikes
First Day Hikes began in the United States over 25 years ago. The first ever First Day Hike happened in 1992 in the DCR Blue Hills Reservation, a park just south of Boston, MA. They now welcome about 700-800 happy hikers to the trails every New Year’s Day. Parks across all 50 states now offer First Day Hikes.
The BC Parks Foundation’s Healthy by Nature initiative is excited to be one of the first international participants in First Day Hikes. Hikes are also being led in Ontario Parks, and we are proud to be working together to bring the #firstdayhike tradition to Canada!
The Many Health Benefits of Hiking
Hiking is a fun activity people of all ages and fitness levels can enjoy. Memories made on the trails will stay with you forever. First Day Hikes make a great holiday tradition!
Beyond the good times on the trail, hiking:
Is good for cardiovascular health
Can help reduce your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and stroke
Tones muscles especially in your quads, glutes and hamstrings. Add some hills or uneven terrain for an even better cardio workout and to burn more calories
Is good for your mind: research shows that spending time outdoors may increase your attention span and creative problem-solving skills by as much as 50% and nature sounds have been shown to lower stress levels.
First Day Hikes are even endorsed by doctors themselves, including our very own Director of Parks Prescriptions, Dr. Melissa Lem, who is a family physician from the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment.
Ready to hit the trails?
Suit up, grab at least one buddy (if you want!) and kick off the new year with a literal breath of fresh air.
Don’t forget to tag us in your #FirstDayHike snapshots on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to be entered to win.
See you out there!
Contest Rules & Regulations
First Day Hike giveaway contest is hosted by Healthy By Nature, an initiative of the BC Parks Foundation. Contest is open to residents of Canada, excluding Quebec, who are ages sixteen (16) or older. Three (3) prizes available to win. Each prize is valued at approximately $30.00 CAD. Entries can be made via Instagram or Twitter by posting a photo, tagging #firstdayhike and @healthybynaturecanada. Entries can be made on Facebook by posting a photo on Healthy By Nature Canada’s wall or in the comment section of their First Day Hike posts. By submitting photos, participants give Healthy By Nature and the BC Parks Foundation permission to re-post these images on their social media, blog and newsletter. Participants must own the copyright to all materials included in their submissions. Photo entries must be posted before 11:59 pm PST on Thursday, January 2, 2020. Each photo constitutes one entry. There is no limit to entries per person, but any one person may only win one of the prizes. Prizes will be drawn at random by 5:00 pm PST on Friday, January 3, 2020. Winners will answer a skill-testing question. Contest is not sponsored or endorsed by FACEBOOK or Twitter. By submitting photos following the guidelines, participants agree to the above rules & regulations.