Emporia, Kansas Chapter

When did you last feel a cool carpet of grass beneath your feet, soft dirt between your toes or the refreshing sensation of a woodland stream underfoot? Walking barefoot adds a rewarding tactile dimension to any outdoor activity. Feel the variety of textures and temperatures underfoot, experience a new freedom and avoid blisters and cramped, hot, sweaty feet.

Experience hiking as nature intended!

We usually plan one hike per month, April to October, Saturday or Sunday, generally on trails within an hour's drive or less of Emporia. Hikes vary from beginner to intermediate with most one to two hours in length (plus transportation if outside Emporia).

The Emporia, KS Barefoot Hikers operates as an open, informal group with no dues or membership fees. We welcome anyone, from beginner to experienced barefoot hiker, including children and well-behaved dogs, but we offer a strictly barefoot group. Those wishing may bring light footwear but we ask everyone to begin each hike barefoot.

We also place interested hikers on a phone and/or mailing list so they may receive notification of upcoming hikes. Because weather or other circumstances may force cancellations, hikers should notify the coordinator at least one day before any hike they plan to join.

Depending on time, location and length of a hike, hikers may wish to bring water, rain gear and/or a snack.

Tallgrass Prairie Preserve trail near Strong City, KS

Come join us and discover a whole new world right under your feet! We look forward to seeing you on the trail!

Current Hiking Schedule

Other Barefoot Hiking groups in the U.S. and Canada!


Why we hike barefoot...

The soles of our feet function as wonderful sensory organs and the myriad of sensations from earth, grass, moss, pine-needles and other ground textures can both fascinate and delight. A growing number of people enjoy hiking barefoot as a pleasurable outdoor activity. Barefoot Hikers appreciate their "vistas" of ground textures as much as others hikers enjoy their vistas of hills, mountains, forests and plains. Walking barefoot adds a rewarding tactile dimension to any outdoor hike.
 
 
 

Beginning Barefoot hiking...

If possible, spend some time in your front or back yard barefoot. Try a variety of textures and surfaces. Take your time and enjoy it. If you have parks, nature centers or hiking trails in your neighborhood you might extend your pre-conditioning to these areas also.
 
 

Try to interpret new sensations as just that, new sensations. At first, the unfamiliar and varied textures underfoot may overwhelm your tactile senses. The first ten minutes or so for a beginning barefoot hiker can often present a special challenge due to the strong sensations encountered. Don't worry! You have simply entered the process of adjustment.

Have you ever had the experience of getting water in your ears while swimming and then, after getting it out, finding that the sounds around you seemed very LOUD? Similarly, when you first take off your shoes, the ground can also seem "loud." It can feel like listening to a lot of uncomfortable noise. But after a while the body adjusts and you will begin to "hear the music." In time, as your feet strengthen and thicken, and your confidence increases, the tension and alarm you felt earlier will dissipate.
 
 

For your first barefoot hike, select a short trail with a variety of surfaces, but avoid any rough-grade gravel. Later, short to medium sections of gravel will not feel unpleasant and may even create the effect of a massage.
 
  It helps to take along a friend who has experience with barefoot hiking--or at least has a willingness to try along with you. If you cannot find such a person then go on your own but until you have developed confidence in your bare feet we recommend that you delay accompanying otherwise shod groups as a lone barefoot hiker.
 
  When you finish your first barefoot hike your feet may feel somewhat sore. However, in the days to follow, barefoot hiking will provide yet another pleasure and benefit: the vibrant, tough and resilient feeling in your feet as this soreness dissipates. Make a conscious effort to interpret as pleasant any sensation that does not actually indicate a danger.
 
  On future hikes (assuming you have good health) you will find that you can tackle increasingly longer and rougher trails than before. "Mileage" will vary, but typically, by following the above steps, with short hikes two or three times a week and going barefoot in general as much as possible, you should manage four to five miles on easy to medium trails within a month or so. If you can find a small-grade gravel path (perhaps in a local park) and walk on it, you will significantly accelerate the toughening process.
 
 
 
Three Basic Rules...

[1] Always step STRAIGHT DOWN.

Kicking, shuffling, dragging you feet or similar slovenly striding habits lead to the greatest risk of injury due to cuts from sharp objects.

[2] Stay alert and watch the path ahead.

Stop if you want to observe something off the path. Always remain conscious of the fact that you have chosen to walk in bare feet. Move softly and lightly and keep your focus on the section of path about two or three paces in front of you. This will allow you to quickly shift your weight should you step on something sharp or otherwise harmful.

[3] Keep your weight on the balls of your feet.

This does not mean walking on tiptoe. Keep your weight on the forward part of your foot instead of the heel. The front of the foot can absorb shock much better then the heel. In fact, the ball of the foot has much tougher and more resilient qualities than many might think. Nature designed the ball of the foot to take most of the weight of the body.








Much of the above material adopted from: "The Barefoot Hiker" by Richard Frazine, (ISBN: 0-89815-525-8), a "how-to" book on barefoot hiking and about bare feet in general, including thoughts, perceptions and a historical and cultural viewpoint. A great little book at $7.95.

Address of publisher: Ten Speed Press, Box 7123, Berkeley, CA, 94707. For Visa/Mastercard orders, call: 1-800-841-BOOK.
 
 

If you have comments or suggestions, contact me via e-mail

Last updated: March, 2004