The American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day® is an annual trail awareness event that promotes healthy living, protects green spaces, educates adults and youth on the importance of trails and generates excitement for spending time in the outdoors. National Trails Day is an opportunity for you and your family to head outside, help the National Trails System celebrate 40 years of progress connecting history, cultures and landscapes and become more active together by enjoying America's spectacular trails.

Did you know that our country's National Trails System, supported by the National Park Service, extends more than 60,000 miles, touches all 50 states and is longer the Interstate Highway System? Traveling a National Trail with your family brings you into contact with adventure,history, heritage, community and nature.

So breathe the fresh air, get your hearts pumping and escape from daily stresses by celebrating National Trails Day with your family. More than 1,200 events are taking place around the country-visit www.AmericanHiking.org to find an event near you. Activities include trail maintenance, hikes, health fairs, educational workshops, fun runs and walks, wildlife viewing, biking and more.

Walking trails offers Americans boundless opportunities to enjoy nature in all its variety, to renew themselves and to establish healthy habits. If hiking is new to you and your children, here are a few tips for fun and safe family hiking:

• Start with a short trip - no more than an hour.
• It is always good to have a destination - reaching a waterfall or a beautiful vista can make your goals exciting.
• Be sure to bring plenty of water - 2 bottles per person.
• Bring lots of healthy snacks. Stay away from quick fixes like candy that have little or no nutrients to fuel your hike. Go for nuts, whole grains and dried fruit. Try mixing it all together for your own version of "trail mix."
• Dress in extra layers and bring rain gear to prepare for all types of weather.
• Remember to pick up after yourself. Teach kids about the power of picking up your trash and keeping the environment as clean, if not cleaner, than you found it.
• Develop a list of wildlife you may see; try to find all the animals on your list during your family's hike. Collect pictures of leaves, identify birds or create a map. ▼

Visit www.nps.gov to find a National Park or Trail in your area.