Looking to get into hiking more but I've got dodgy knees from my college football days. Want to find some decent trails that aren't super technical or steep. We've got some good state parks nearby but I don't want to overdo it and be crippled on Monday. Are there any tricks for protecting your knees on trails or should I just stick to flat walks?
Low impact trails are out there, just gotta do the research. Take it slow and build up gradually, your knees will thank you. Getting the kids outdoors is worth finding the right spots.
The knees thing is real. Look for flat or gently rolling trails and don't push it on your first few times out. There's plenty of good hiking that doesn't require climbing like crazy.
Low impact trails are your friend. I've been doing more hiking since moving to Boulder and honestly, the key is finding routes that don't have too much elevation change. Have you tried looking into trails near you with good reviews specifically for knee issues? Might save you some pain.
Bad knees here too but from a totally different reason. Trekking poles really helped me a ton. They take a lot of pressure off your knees on the way down especially. Might be worth investing in a good pair before you go out.
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Check out some of the local hiking groups in your area. A lot of them actually have designated easy/moderate trails and people are usually pretty understanding about pace. Plus it's good to have company out there in case something happens.