Finding a Partner through Hiking

Dating can be awkward, we all know this. Aside from the potentially contentious questions of what subjects to talk about and what opinions to give on a date, even figuring out what to do can be critical. You want to give yourself the chance to get to know a person, but you don't want to put yourself in a potentially controversial setting or one that will be difficult to get out of.

If you are an avid hiker (which, if you're reading this site, you probably are), there is no better way to test your relationship compatibility than to go on a hike. Hiking together will not only give you the opportunity to get out and enjoy your favorite activity together, but it will allow you to feel out each other's characters in ways that many other activities won't. And if you're having trouble getting started, there are some really good dating service sites that can help you.

Why hiking is the best test of compatibility

If you need more convincing, let us lay out exactly why it is that going on a hike with a potential mate is the best way to test how well you work together.

Doing your favorite thing

OK, it might not be your absolute favorite thing, but if you're someone who likes the outdoors and even the occasional hike, doing it with a potential partner can be wonderful. For one thing, it's a way to test whether the other person shares your love for the outdoors. If you consider yourself an “outdoorsy” person, the last thing you're going to want in a long-term partner is a lot of complaining about how you should just get it over with and go inside.

But if you find another nature lover, you've already cleared a major hurdle and have someone with whom you can bask in the glory of nature. And there is nothing like the joy of finding love and being able to do it in the peace and tranquility of the outdoors.

Nonetheless, as much fun as hiking can be, it certainly isn't always easy. One of the reasons we love it is precisely because it can be so challenging. But this is yet another reason why it is such a great way to assess your compatibility with a potential mate.

Pacing yourselves

There are a lot of things that go into hiking that can be a test of patience. One major one is the pace that you walk at and how many breaks you take. When serious hikers go into climbing mode, most of us know exactly how we want to proceed. Everyone has their eye on the goal, but how to get there can be interpreted a thousand different ways.

You can certainly start out small (we wouldn't recommend Half Dome on a first date, although if it works then you've clearly found your soulmate!). Let your first hike together be just a couple hours and see how it goes. If the conversation flows right and you feel like you're more or less in step with one another, you can try for something bigger.

Dealing with potential obstacles

There could be any number of other unexpected things that come up when hiking that you suddenly have to scramble to deal with. Bad weather, bugs, potential falls–any number of things can come up that can complicate your adventure. How gracefully you and your partner handle these things can be a strong indication of how you will handle future obstacles.

If you manage to make it through the day and whatever comes up with smiles on your faces, and perhaps a good joke about that scraped knee you got, that may well be a memory worth looking back at together in 50 years.

Give it a try!

The other great thing about going hiking on a first date is that you don't have to worry about awkward silences or weird dynamics or anything like that. You’ll just be outside doing what you love, and you will have a companion that may be with you for a day or a lifetime. You won’t know ‘till you try it. But if you are a lover of nature, consider it an essential test. And be sure to look at Soulmatcher app for the best dating prospects online. You may just meet the love of your life!