[One Day Ten Thousand Steps, One Day One Thousand Characters] There Is a Way for Seniors to Enjoy Hiking... Oreulak Naerilak

Hiking up mountains is a sport and hobby enjoyed by the entire nation. For an adult weighing 60kg, hiking can burn 500 kcal per hour. Hiking offers benefits such as ▲anti-aging ▲improved cardiopulmonary function and muscular endurance ▲reduction of chronic fatigue. Although the hiking population is increasing annually, participation among younger generations is declining.

According to a survey by the Korea Forest Service (2022 National Survey on Hiking and Forest Trail Experiences), about 32.29 million adults, or 78% of the total adult population, engage in hiking or forest trail experiences at least once a month (including once or twice every two months). This is a 1% increase from 77% the previous year. The hiking population rose to 74.1%, up 11.8% from 62.3% in 2021, while forest trail experiences decreased by 8.3% from 89.5% in 2021 to 81.2%. Among men, 80% participated in hiking or forest trail experiences, a 1% increase from 79% in 2021, and among women, 77%, a 2% increase from 75% in 2021. By age group, participation rates were 91% for those aged 60 and above, 85% for their 50s, 71% for their 40s, 70% for their 30s, and 59% for their 20s.

While the hiking and forest trail experience rates increased among those in their 40s and 50s, the 20s age group continues to decline. The top reason for hiking was health, cited by 75%, followed by simply enjoying walking in the mountains at 49%, and liking the scenery and atmosphere at 48%. The tendency to hike for health reasons increased with age. Among hikers, 91% primarily climb nearby hills under 500 meters at least once every two months. Mountains near urban areas are climbed by 83% at least once every two months, while larger mountains such as Seoraksan, Jirisan, and Taebaeksan are climbed by 13% of hikers at least once every two months. The most common hiking duration was 3 to 4 hours (41%), followed by under 2 hours (38%), 5 to 6 hours (15%), 7 to 8 hours (3%), and over 8 hours (3%).

The Korea Alpine Federation, in partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation, is conducting the educational project ‘Oreulak (樂) Naerilak (樂)’ to popularize a healthy mountain culture. The goal is to create conditions where all citizens, from youth to seniors, can form a healthy hiking culture through systematic hiking education and enjoy hiking and mountain sports as safe and beneficial leisure activities.

The 14th Gomiyeong Cup National Youth Sport Climbing Competition held in June 2023 (2023 Sport Climbing Youth National Team Selection) [Photo provided by Korea Alpine Federation]

The ‘Fun Hiking Class’ for teenagers includes stamp play using smartphones to make hiking more enjoyable, along with education on sport climbing and rope play. For young adults in their 20s and 30s, the ‘Challenge! Mountain Sports’ program offers stress relief through mountain sports such as sport climbing, trail running, and natural rock climbing. For mountain club members nationwide (aged 40s and 50s), the ‘Leading by Example Mountain Club’ provides safety hiking and LNT (Leave No Trace) education to promote a healthy hiking culture among enthusiasts. These three programs will be conducted 68 times with 1,360 participants (20 per session) by the end of November.

The ‘Active Middle-aged Hiking Class: Alssul Sanjap’ for healthy and active seniors (60 and older) educates on Nordic walking and cultural and historical hiking for today’s active and healthy ‘active seniors.’ It will be held 51 times with 1,020 participants by the end of November. Interested individuals can apply through the mountain federation offices in each city and province. Since the program is government-supported, there is no participation fee. Participants will also receive souvenirs provided by Kolon Sports, a sponsor of the project.

The organizers are running a hiking safety awareness campaign with the catchphrase, “Safety on the mountain is your own responsibility.” The five safety rules are △Avoid excessive hiking to prevent accidents △Choose hiking destinations suitable for your physical condition △Always stretch before and after hiking △Use designated hiking trails △Learn both knowledge and hiking skills.