14th May 2025

What Is Soft Hiking? A Beginner’s Guide to Walking Mindfully Through Nature

In a world that moves fast, scrolls endlessly, and rarely lets us exhale, soft hiking is emerging as a slower, gentler way to move your body and clear your mind across some of the best Perth hiking trails.
It’s hiking — but without the hustle.
It’s movement — without the pressure.
It’s nature — used not as a challenge, but as a reset.
For anyone curious about what soft hiking actually is, how it works, and why more people are choosing it over summit-chasing adventures, this guide has you covered — grounded in research and real-world experience across Perth hiking experiences.

What Is Soft Hiking?

Soft hiking is a low-impact, intentionally slow form of walking in nature. It focuses on mindfulness, restoration, and sensory experience over speed, distance, or physical achievement.
It’s not just about where you walk — it’s how you walk.

Soft hiking often involves:

• Shorter, flatter trails often found in Perth Hills hiking trails
• Frequent pauses to rest, reflect or observe
• No competitive or performance-based goals
• Opportunities for silence, journaling, or guided reflection
• Small groups or solo settings where the nervous system can breathe 

It’s the antithesis of “crushing it” culture — a gentle rebellion against doing everything fast and hard.

Where Does the Idea Come From?

While “soft hiking” is a relatively new term, it draws inspiration from long-established practices like:

1. Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku)

Originating in Japan in the 1980s, forest bathing is the act of immersing oneself in a forest atmosphere without goal or direction.
A 2010 study found it significantly lowered cortisol, reduced blood pressure, and boosted parasympathetic nervous system activity.

2. Green Exercise

Physical activity in natural environments — often compared to walking holidays or hiking holidays — shown to improve mood and self-esteem in just five minutes.

3. Eco-therapy

Nature-based healing methods shown to reduce anxiety and depression through immersive time in natural settings.

Soft hiking combines the movement of green exercise with the mindfulness of forest bathing — creating a gentle practice that supports mental and physical wellbeing across accessible Perth walking tours.

Why Is Soft Hiking Gaining Popularity?

There’s a cultural shift happening. As burnout, anxiety, and digital overwhelm become daily realities, people are searching for slower, softer ways to reconnect.

Soft hiking speaks to a collective craving for:

• Nature without noise — less hustle, more healing
• Movement without metrics — no fitness trackers, just feelings
• Community without competition — a space to be seen, not judged 

From John Forrest National Park hiking to Lesmurdie Falls hikes, WA trails are ideal places to explore this new pace.

Who Is Soft Hiking For?

Soft hiking is for:

• Beginner hikers
• People experiencing stress or burnout
• Those recovering from illness or injury
• Anyone seeking mindfulness in motion
• People feeling disconnected from themselves or nature 

You don’t need prior experience. Just curiosity and a willingness to go slow — perfect for those exploring hiking for beginners in WA.

What Makes It Different to a Regular Hike?

Think of soft hiking as the relaxed cousin of more demanding Perth hiking tours.

The Mental Health Benefits (Backed by Research)

Nature is one of the most effective tools for improving wellbeing — and soft hiking delivers.

Benefits include:

• Lower cortisol (stress hormone)
• Boosted mood and energy
• Improved mental clarity and focus
• Lower blood pressure and heart rate 

Soft hiking isn’t just scenic — it’s hiking for your head, grounded in research and restoration.

What Do You Need to Get Started?

Your Soft Hiking Starter Kit:

• Comfortable shoes or joggers (great for Perth walks)
• A reusable water bottle
• Hat, sunscreen, layers
• Optional: tea thermos, snack, journal 

No hiking poles, no pressure. Just bring your full self to scenic Perth hikes.

How to Try Soft Hiking

1. Pick a suitable trail
   Look for under 6km with little elevation — try Bibra Lake, Kings Park, or Swan Valley trails. 
2. Set an intention
   Ask: How do I want to feel when I finish this? 
3. Walk slowly
   Notice your surroundings. Stop. Breathe. 
4. Reflect afterwards
   Did it bring calm, clarity, or comfort? That’s the win. 

Can I Join a Guided Soft Hike?

Yes — and we highly recommend it.

At The Hike Collective, our guided soft hiking experiences across Western Australia are designed for people seeking slow, meaningful time in nature.

Expect:

• Small, welcoming groups
• Flexible, calming pace
• No performance pressure
• Nature immersion on your terms 

Whether you’re exploring walking tours in Perth or reconnecting through a guided hiking holiday, soft hiking welcomes you exactly as you are.

Final Word: Go Slower, Feel More

Soft hiking is more than a trend. It’s a response to modern life. A way to stop performing and start listening.

Whether you’re walking through a peppermint grove in the Perth Hills or along the cliffs of Yanchep, soft hiking is your invitation to reset.

Ready to explore softly?
Join us for a guided hike through Perth’s most mindful trails — and discover what happens when you walk slowly, breathe deeply, and let the bush do the talking.