The Sempervirens Fund land trust recently launched a new program known as Trails Rx, which provides detailed guides to five trails in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Each trail includes suggested activities to promote health and wellness as you walk. The Trails Rx program features trails such as the Six Bridges Trail in Butano State Park, Atkinson Bluff Trail in Año Nuevo State Park, and trails in Big Basin, Castle Rock, and Henry Cowell Redwoods State Parks farther south.
Sara Barth, the executive director of Sempervirens Fund, emphasized that Trails Rx not only focuses on promoting health but also highlights the connection between the well-being of the forests and that of the communities. The program encourages individuals to fully immerse themselves in the environment as they hike along each trail. Each trail has a dedicated webpage with prompts designed to bring attention to the wellness features of the hike.
For example, the Atkinson Bluff Trail guide suggests taking 5-10 minutes to observe the surroundings in silence, focusing on looking up high, down low, at objects up close, and observing the surroundings in the distance. Additionally, the webpages provide information and links to research about the health benefits of the suggested activities. For instance, the Six Bridges Trail webpage mentions how hiking can help reduce blood pressure and depression while boosting the immune system.
Sempervirens wellness advisor Suzanne Bartlett Hackenmiller, who was involved in developing the program, shared that nature has the ability to heal and rejuvenate both the body and soul. Numerous studies have shown that spending time outdoors improves physical health and mental well-being. The Trails RX webpages also offer maps and detailed information about parking, trail difficulty, and other features of each destination. Curtis Chan, the deputy health officer for San Mateo County, mentioned that providing guidance and encouragement to walk on beautiful nature trails can promote physical and mental health.