Why the Long Way Can Lead to Greater Satisfaction? Hiking in Alicante

The Healing Effect of Moving Our Bodies

Whenever I can't untangle my thoughts, go through a breakup, move to a new place, or feel so angry I can't sit still, I go for a walk.

If I’ve been wronged, misunderstood, or something has hit a nerve, I go for a run.

We all have different ways of managing our emotions; what did you do after your last argument?

These walks don't always have to be on a well-known route like the Camino de Santiago or by the sea. Wherever I am, wherever I can go, that's where I head. The important thing is just to clear the cloud of thoughts I can't escape from and rejoin the flow of life. Of course, a well-known route or a seaside location on Earth is always my priority; but the real issue is the opportunities I have. Because the things I don't have are endless.

I don't even need to see someone else walking or running around me. I don't wait for an invitation from anyone but myself to use my legs, the most primitive means of transport.

I don't think there's anyone who doesn't feel good after returning from a nature walk. In fact, even during the walk, with every step, we move away from problems and closer to ourselves. Running is like this too. Whether you run for an uninterrupted minute or are running a marathon, after a run, even if we struggled, we only remember how good we felt. When we get home and look in the mirror, that lively pink glow on our faces makes us all happy; there are real, and most importantly, heartfelt tones there.

If that song playing in the cafe where you ended a toxic relationship is in your headphones, or if the song that reminds you of "them" comes up on your playlist, you'll even run faster. Isn't quickly putting on your sports clothes and headphones a better way to de-stress than sending hurtful messages? At least for me, it is, and choosing what we do is solely in our hands. Whenever I experience a disappointment, can't handle things, or face a breakup, I find myself putting on my running shoes.

I don't even remember when I first went for a run. Exercising, especially going on long nature walks, has been a routine I've loved and maintained for a long time. Especially if there's a planned hiking event on a new route for the first time on any Sunday morning, I couldn't be happier. It's a great opportunity to meet new people, start the day fresh, and get away from aesthetically unappealing concrete jungles.

Moreover, if I'm in Spain with my jamon bocadillo, or in Italy with a simple meal of mozzarella and tomatoes between a piece of baget, I can even feel at home. I never say no, to a bottle of water after the walk either.

A Hiking Experience in Alicante

My hike with a newly met digital nomad friend in Alicante, just before entering 2025, started by preparing such a meal in the stone house kitchen we were staying in among the orange groves. It was an unforgettable Christmas morning for me; the only thing that made it special was doing what I loved.

While everyone else was trying to digest the heavy dinner from the night before, we had set off early in the morning on our bicycles. It was a new, different route for both of us, and honestly, I had no idea what we would encounter or how long it would take. I was just eager to hit the road and spend time in nature. We left our bicycles under an olive tree and started walking. I had no idea about the route; the responsibility for finding the route was his, and preparing the delicious sandwiches was mine.

When you set out on a path, when you decide to go somewhere, you have many options. Things change if you're hiking with a tour, but the path you take on your own brings many decisions with it. Beginnings can be anywhere, at any time. It's the same in life: Whatever you want to start, you should base it on where you are, not where someone else started. Others might be closer to the goal, have opportunities that make things easier. What's important is different: It's about knowing yourself and what you want, dedication, belief, and most importantly, being aware of the path and the journey. We must realize that with every step we take, we leave different possibilities behind.

So, we set out with all these unknowns. Nature walks are indispensable for seeing how someone you don't know approaches problems, discovering their adventurous spirit, and listening to their life story. At the beginning, with my guidance, we set off in a different direction from the usual starting point. So, we extended the path a bit even at the very beginning. I had my valid reasons, of course, like the Earth being a geoid and at worst, we'd return to where we started. I don't think anyone still believes we live on a tray carried by an ox's horns, do they?

Sometimes I do this; I act very sure of the things I believe in. I know it will give me confidence. First, I believe in and trust myself. I focus on enjoying the journey, and in life, sometimes I extend the path. Let it remain a small secret between us, though I don't like to hear it, sometimes I need to be told "no."

We took the long way, but we saw incredible views worth it, and I realized how much wider the route actually was today while preparing the map of this journey for you. Being in nature is always very special, and nature is beautiful everywhere. We had to walk through a stone aqueduct, perhaps hundreds of years old, which was worth extending the path, and it remained an unforgettable, pleasant memory.

Reflections about the Route

In fact, this journey, even months later, taught me not that I sometimes need to hear the word no, but that there are many ways to reach our desired destination. We grew up with problems calculating the arrival time of a car going from city A to city B at 90 km/h. I can clearly say that I was good at solving these problems as a child. At that age, I wanted to reach the result directly and be the class leader; now I focus on extending the path a bit and enjoying life and the scenery.

This nature walk, reminding me of life's difficulties and tough struggles, was quite rugged at times. In every hiking adventure, I like to reflect on how much these walks resemble life itself and to look at the difficulties I'm currently facing as part of a whole. In life, too, sometimes we stumble, the path seems endless, or there are times when everything goes well, and we feel good. These journeys always keep me in the moment, make me aware of what I have, and make living enjoyable.

If you encounter a cave during your nature walks, it becomes easier to get to know the person next to you. You can understand their beliefs by how they approach the cave. Generally, if a cave is encountered on nature walks, we divide into two types of nature lovers: those who enter with certain rituals or those who watch this situation in amazement. It shouldn't be hard to guess which one I am. For some reason, supernatural beings are thought to live in caves even though we can't see them. You can stay in the same room as me; I don't see you anyway.

On nature walks, some want to give up halfway or turn back when things get a little tougher. We encounter such people on journeys too. I guess that's why there's a saying that you'll get to know a person when shopping, eating, or traveling. I never turn back without reaching my goal or exhausting all paths. I don't do this in my personal life either; I'd say it's one of my principles. I'm not boasting about it. I don't believe every life journey is linear. Some of us might have zigzagging lives, while others might have lives that seem to remain a point, never changing. I guess the important thing lies in knowing what we want, accepting our circumstances, and being happy with them.

As you approach the summit, the goal, there's always significant fatigue, but you also feel a sudden surge of determination. Giving up and continuing are now separated by a fine line. Sitting on the edge of the summit and choosing to turn back is also an option, but the actual goal is to reach the summit. I think everyone loves competition. At least, we should all love competing with ourselves. This is what will lead us to the summit.

Being in a better place than we were last year, achieving the goals we set for ourselves, makes us all happy. This is more than our survival instinct. This is hiking Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

In Alicante, just before the new year, reaching the summit and looking down on a place I had only been in for a few days made me feel good, and that was the whole goal: To feel good. Being in nature means feeling good, after all.

Staying at the summit is great for enjoying the journey and the simple but delicious sandwiches prepared. We know being at the summit is temporary, but it's important for feeling satisfied and digesting success. If we've stayed at the summit long enough and devoured one of the quick and incredibly delicious sandwich recipes provided by Maggy, the Gastronomy & Food Culture section writer, it's time to head back. Returning is always the easiest. It's familiar, feels safe, and going downhill is easier than going uphill. You just need to be prepared for the risk of falling and appreciate the view you left behind while ascending to the summit.

When we focus on a goal, it's hard to see what's happening around us, but once we've reached it, the view is clearer. When climbing to the summit, we only see what's in front of us, the immediate opportunities to overcome obstacles, but after reaching the goal, enjoying the view with experience and confidence is a separate pleasure. Nature teaches these things to people; nature educates people.

Information About the Alicante Route

For those curious about this route in Alicante, I'd like to share its name and how you can get there. I can't say you absolutely must travel to Alicante for this route, but if you're already in Alicante, have stopped in Ibiza by boat, and are tired of spending time on the beach, I'd definitely say take a look. This route isn't the kind you absolutely must travel and experience like the Camino de Santiago; it's the kind you can experience if you're already traveling there. If you want to combine it with other routes in the vicinity for a hiking trip, then of course, things change.

For VAGMAG’s Nature Section, I want to give these route types a name or a symbol. Not something classic like Michelin's star or Camino's yellow arrow, but something that reflects us, something unique to us.

Don't forget to share any suggestions you have in the comments with me.

Route Details

Here's more information about the route:

• Location: Spain, Comunidad Valenciana, Alicante / El Verger

• Maximum Altitude: 471 m

• Technical Difficulty: Medium

Map:

What was the last route you hiked?

This hiking trail in Alicante wasn't my most recent hiking adventure, but it was definitely one of the routes I found worth sharing.

I'm curious about different routes you'd recommend and what you think and feel when you hike.

You can share with me in the comments; maybe we can hike the next route together with V4G CLUB. I'm not just saying that or joking. My last name means "companion"; you can be sure I'm trying my best to carry this legacy left by my ancestors.

I'll be waiting for your route suggestions and thoughts.

with care,

Idalia

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