Trail Mix - Custom Spotify Hiking Playlist

- for those who love nature, hiking, and listening to music while outdoors + tips on how to play music respectfully on the trails -

“Tunes assembled perfectly for a hiking and camping adventure. They first get you ready to go, then slow down for a chill bonfire.”

— Trail Mix, Playlist Description

Now that spring has finally arrived, it's time to get out and hike! In this blog, I'll provide a custom Spotify playlist and tips on how to best listen to music while outdoors.

Trail Mix: 

Sure, there's debate about whether you should listen to music on the trails or not, but I believe a healthy balance of silence and music can be great, if done respectfully. If you do plan on playing music, here are the guidelines: be immersed, be aware, and be respectful.

When I go hiking, I love starting with music that gets me excited, pumped up, and ready for the adventure. It helps fuel me, especially on days I know I'll be hiking 15+ miles. Nonetheless, we go outdoors to escape. We want to hear the natural sounds around us. Being immersed in the environment is a necessary part of any hike. How do you listen to some great songs and the sounds of nature? I utilize two different methods:

1. When playing music, use a speaker instead of headphones:

   • Bluetooth speakers are definitely the way to go and take away the hassle of cords

   • Speakers allow you to hear what's around you, ensuring you're aware of nearby animals and conscious of any people who want to pass or just want a friendly conversation

   • Be respectful: generally, you don't want to hear someone else's music, so don't blast yours; keeping it quiet allows you to maintain that immersion, awareness, and respect

2. Turn it on and off:

   • As I said, I love starting with tunes, but at some point, it's good to hike in silence

   • Simply play the music when you're feeling it, and turn it off when you want to hear the ambient noise around you

   • Balance is key in life, and this second method allows for a healthy one

My final note would be to make sure you're abiding by the rules of the trail and the park. These are suggestions for trails that allow speakers, but not all locations do. Be aware of that ahead of time, or if you see a sign along the way about no speakers, just turn it off.

Enjoy the playlist and happy hiking!

If above embed doesn't work, click link or follow steps below:
- https://open.spotify.com/user/22qir2kj26zj7dfbcz5i5wfbi/playlist/45i8iwMIF4ieF1otwVB1Mq
- Or: search "Cullan McNamara" on Spotify - click "Profile" - click "Public Playlists" tab - select "Trail Mix"

- Cullan