by Lazar Jovic
University Times YourPace Contributor
Stolovi Mountain, Central Serbia – – Many people occasionally become overwhelmed by the constant barrage of emails, calls, and text messages.
It is frequently tempting to enjoy some time alone in the open air, away from the urban noise.
Fortunately, many cities and towns are close to at least one mountain, forest, or isolated area of unspoiled environment. Now, people are taking advantage of this proximity.
Countless numbers of people go hiking each year. Nowadays, mountain hiking is a well-liked pastime among outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. It is no longer exclusive to people with an abundance of spare time, high-end gear, and excellent physical health.
The hiking trails on many mountains indicate the difficulty level, making it easier to choose the one you could complete.
“People always ask me how difficult the trail is,” says Stephen Djordjevic, 25, a tour guide from Serbia. “It’s like they’ve decided they can’t hike up a certain trail before even trying it simply because it looks too steep or too long,” he added.
In early May, Djordjevic led a group of six to the Stolovi Mountain in Central Serbia. None were experienced hikers. Some needed more time to complete the hike.
“Of course, if you need more time, that’s completely fine,” Djordjevic said. He frequently needs to reassure group members not to worry about others who become irritated with them for proceeding slowly.
He knows the hiking trails well and tries to get to know his group so that he can recommend the best trail.
“Some people tell me they just want to walk through the forest,” he noted. “Others want to spend time with the wild horses that roam the mountain. Many just want to get to the top of the mountain to take great photos.”
Joseph Ilic, 22, was one of the people in the group Djordjevic led to a peak of Stolovi Mountain. It was his third hiking trip.
“My friends decided to give it a try so I joined them, but I wasn’t really excited about it,” he admitted. “Still, I enjoyed it.”
Ilic was concerned that he would need to spend a lot of money on hiking gear, but was surprised to learn he could make due with gear he found around the house. He urged budding hikers not to spend money on equipment they don’t need.
“But it is certainly a good investment to buy a good pair of hiking boots, a high-quality jacket, and a large backpack if you plan a couple of hikes,” he added.
Ilic now plans for future hikes, and his schedule is already full for the rest of the year. He has also started leading hikes to earn additional income.
Timid about hiking at first, Ilic’s opinion has changed completely.
“Now, hiking is pure pleasure,” he said.
