Hiking barefoot is a truly great way to experience nature. Adding the sense of touch to the experience is like opening your eyes for the first time on a trail. You suddenly find yourself flooded by stimuli you never new existed. You will see the ground beneath you like you have never seen it before. Hiking barefoot is healthy and fun!

Getting Started

Whether you are an experienced barefoot hiker or would like to try it for the first time, you are welcome to join us on an outing. If this is your first time and you wish to carry shoes with you, then do so. However, we encourage you to at least try hiking barefoot.

Warning: Barefoot hiking can be highly addictive! Don't ever say we didn't warn you.

You will need to bring the following items:

• Plenty of water! IMPORTANT! Amount depends on the hike length, difficulty, and time of year.
• Rain gear or jacket depending on the weather.
• First aid kit.
• Food depending on hike length.
• Insect repellent depending on the season.
• Means of carrying the above.

You may also wish to bring a walking stick, camera, binoculars, etc.

The Barefoot Hiker by Richard Frazine (1993, Ten Speed Press) is available from Amazon.com. This book provides a great introduction to barefoot hiking, how to do it safely, and enjoy it. We highly recommended reading this book. The text of the book has also been made available online by the author.

There is more information about Barefoot Hiking, the parent Barefoot Hikers organization, and how to safely start hiking barefoot in this Beginers Guide.

We recommend that anyone who hikes barefoot keep their tetanus immunization current.

Hiking with Us

We have a list of places we hike barefoot. We are always looking for new and interesting trails. We prefer natural trails as opposed to asphalt or gravel. If you have a suggestion of a good trail in Ohio, please let us know.

We hike on the first Saturday and third Sunday of each month. This schedule sets aside a date only. Time and location will be determined as each date approaches. Suggestions and requests are always welcome. Hikes will generally be scheduled for afternoons but will start in the morning if they are day long hikes or due to predicted weather. Additional hikes will also be scheduled as hike leaders desire. Hikes will be canceled at the last minute due to weather or other reasons as needed. Our hike schedule is listed at our Yahoo! Groups calendar. We contact members via our Yahoo! Groups mailing list as far in advance as is practical. This is a private list available to our members only.

Membership is FREE. Please read our Membership Policy and join us. Have questions? See the FAQ.

Don't live in or can't visit Ohio? Check out the Barefoot Hikers home for a listing of Barefoot Hikers chapters near you or for information on starting a Barefoot Hikers group in your area.

Ohio Barefoot Hikers
Formerly Barefoot Hikers of Central Ohio
Established 1997

Contents of this site © 1997- 2008 by Greg Morgan. All rights reserved.
The Barefoot Hikers logo © by Richard Frazine used with permission.
26-JAN-08