American Hiking Society's fact sheets offer hikers and trail advocates information on a variety of hiking topics. Download these PDF files and use them in your publication, at your next meeting, or simply for your own knowledge.

TRAIL FACTS

• Active Community Environments
  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hopes to bring walking back into your neighborhood by sponsoring this dynamic program.
• The Economic Benefits of Trails and Hiking
  Learn how trails and recreation impact commerce, jobs, property value and health-care.
• The Health Benefits of Hiking
  Find out how walking can increase overall fitness and health levels and prevent disease and illness. 
• CDC's Brochure, Trails for Health: Promoting Healthy Lifestyles & Environments
  Trails for Health is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initiative to help Americans of all ages achieve the health benefits of physical activity by increasing opportunities for physical activity and helping to make it an integral part of community life.
  • English version for a general audience (PDF 1.3MB)
  • Spanish version for a general audience (PDF 513KB)

BEFORE YOU HIT THE TRAIL

• Eight Steps To Campfire Safety
  Find out when it's OK to build a fire and how to stay safe and cook great meals on a properly built fire.
• Snake Awareness and Safety on the Trail
  A vast majority of hikers will never encounter a snake on the trail, but should the rare occurrence happen make sure you know what to do.
• Stay Safe in the Sun
  Don't be one of the 1 million cases of skin cancer diagnosed in the United States this year.
• Safety: Playing it Safe on the Trail
  Plan ahead, be prepared, and be sure to take the essentials using this checklist.
• Family Hiking
  Tips for taking your kids on the trail from a parent, who is also a hiker.
• Hank's Hiking Handout
  A fun activity and fact sheet for young hikers.
• Step To It: A Beginner's Guide to Hiking and Walking
• Battling Bugs on the Trail
  Common insects, their bites, and the best remedies
• Leave No Trace
  Protect the environment and preserve the hiking experience by following these seven guidelines.

TRAIL POLICY

• Transportation Funding and Trails
  Learn more about transportation programs — including Transportation Enhancements and the Recreational Trails Program — in the federal surface transportation law that benefit trails.
• Mountain Bike Policy
  American Hiking Society’s stance on mountain bicycling.

AHS PROGRAMS

• Volunteer Vacation Facts
• Southern Appalachian Initiative Facts
• Policy & Advocacy
• National Trails Day^® 2007 Facts
• AHS General Information
• 2007 National Trails Fund Facts

These fact sheets are in PDF format. You will need Adobe Reader to read or print them.

Download Adobe Reader for free.

Hiker's Info Center || Trail Conservation & Policy || Events & Volunteer Opportunities
Alliance of Hiking Organizations || News & Resources || Hiker's Store
Join American Hiking || Inside American Hiking || Guest Book

Home || Site Map || Privacy

If you have questions about this site, please contact ahs.webmaster@c-t-g.com
Copyright © 1999-2004 by American Hiking Society, all rights reserved.