What Is Soft Hiking? The 2025 Wellness Trend Taking Over Trails in Washington and Oregon
- Thomas Tangen
- May 14
- 4 min read
Updated: May 27
A new kind of hiking is taking root in the Pacific Northwest—and it’s not about tracking mileage or chasing summits. In 2025, more people are turning to soft hiking, a slower, more mindful way to experience the outdoors. This trend blends light physical activity with mental wellness, encouraging hikers to prioritize presence over performance.
Whether you're strolling through mossy forests, pausing at every overlook, or simply walking without a destination in mind, soft hiking is less about reaching the top and more about enjoying the moment. It’s a response to burnout, hustle culture, and the growing desire to unplug in nature.
What Exactly Is Soft Hiking?
Soft hiking emphasizes:
Easy to moderate trails
Resting often and moving intuitively
Enjoying nature without pressure
Incorporating elements like journaling, meditation, or photography
It’s become especially popular among Gen Z and millennials, who are seeking stress relief and connection through slower-paced adventures. Social platforms like TikTok have helped push the term into the spotlight, often showcasing dreamy forest walks, colorful fits, and mental health check-ins.
Why Soft Hiking Is Trending in 2025
Several factors are fueling the rise of soft hiking this year:
Wellness Meets Outdoors: People are blending fitness, therapy, and self-care by choosing nature-based activities that feel restorative rather than exhausting.
Post-Burnout Culture: After years of productivity pressure and screen time overload, many are seeking quieter, analog experiences.
Accessibility: Soft hiking lowers the barrier to entry for outdoor activity. You don’t need fancy gear or peak-level fitness—just a willingness to explore.
Top Soft Hiking Spots in the PNW
If you're ready to slow down and soak up the calm, here are a few trails in Washington and Oregon that are perfect for soft hiking:
1. Discovery Park Loop (Seattle, WA)
Wide-open bluff views, forest paths, and a gentle loop around 2.8 miles. You can pause at the beach or sit in the meadows for quiet reflection.
2. Silver Falls State Park (Sublimity, OR)
The Trail of Ten Falls offers lush forest, waterfalls, and multiple options for shorter loops. Take your time—this park is built for awe.
3. Cape Disappointment Trails (Ilwaco, WA)
Despite the name, these oceanview hikes are a peaceful mix of headland trails and lighthouse stops, ideal for soft hiking by the sea.
4. Hoyt Arboretum Trails (Portland, OR)
Close to the city but feels a world away. These forested paths are great for a solo wander with journal in hand.
5. Mount Tabor Park (Portland, OR)
An urban volcano park with paved trails, views of Mount Hood, and tree-filled paths that invite you to slow down.
6. Tryon Creek State Natural Area (Portland, OR)
A mossy wonderland just outside the city—gentle trails, wooden bridges, and lots of places to stop and listen to birdsong.
How to Plan Your First Soft Hike
You don’t need much to get started. Here are a few tips:
Wear comfortable shoes and clothing that makes you feel good (yes, style is part of the vibe).
Bring a journal, disposable camera, or snack you love.
Skip the stopwatch or fitness tracker—this isn’t a workout.
Set a loose intention like “notice 5 things I’ve never seen before” or “breathe deeply for 30 seconds every time I stop.”
The idea is to move gently, engage your senses, and let nature be the backdrop for slowing your thoughts.
Soft Hiking as Part of the Slow Living Movement
This trend isn’t just about hiking—it’s part of a broader cultural shift toward slow living. People are making more intentional choices in how they spend their time, opting for experiences that feed emotional clarity, mental rest, and genuine connection. Like slow travel, soft hiking invites us to be in a place, not just pass through it.
For many in the Pacific Northwest, soft hiking has become a weekly ritual—a time to reset, breathe, and remember what matters most.
If you’ve already been soft hiking without realizing it, you’re not alone. The beauty of this trend is that it’s less about doing it “right” and more about showing up. So if you find yourself needing a break from the noise, pick a trail, leave your to-do list behind, and hike soft.
If you use hiking as your escape from daily stress, you’re on the right track—but if you're looking to feel more grounded off the trail too, check out the rest of the Tide and Timber blog. There's more to explore, reflect on, and grow from.
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