From running to hiking, there are endless possibilities across the state.
Fox CT met up with a barefoot hiking group at River Highlands State Park in Cromwell who really brings out the idea of being “one with nature” to a whole new level.
It’s the sun peeking through the trees, the slight breeze on a cool day and the crackling of the leaves beneath your feet that bring people closer to the world around them.
“You feel surfaces people have never experienced,” said Kevin McDermott who’s been barefoot hiking for seven years. “It’s like living in a different world.”
The bareness of barefoot hiking brought this group together for many different reasons.
“I just love the feeling, it adds another dimension to hiking,” said McDermott.
“I just started because my knees started to hurt doing some hiking,” said Dave Ellis who’s been barefoot hiking since 1999.
I did research and it said your knees are hurting probably because your feet are weak.”
Ellis took off his shoes on his next hike and from then on he’s been hiking shoeless.
He says it’s relieved him of his pain and built strong muscles.
“I have strong muscles in my feet, thick skin not callous skin,” said Ellis. “People who have kept their feet in shoes their entire life practically, they have muscle atrophy so as you go barefooting your muscles build up.”
Their hikes lead them through muddy waters, soiled ground and old wooden bridges. They all agree, one step at a time has led to a path of pure enjoyment.
“It really feels good. Like now I can feel the earth warming beneath my feet and after this winter to feet that, it feels good,” said JoAnne Simmones.
As part of Barefoot Hikers of Connecticut the group meets once a month sometimes it’s a few of them other times it’s 10-20 people. While most hikes are just a couple miles, many of the barefoot hikers are fully capable of full-on excursions.
Dave Ellis said one day he did 14 miles, barefooted!
“They thought I was a barefoot God coming off the mountain. People were like ‘Can we touch our feet? What are your feet like? I can’t believe you’re doing that!’”
They say cuts and bruises are rare and so often so are shoes in their everyday life.
“I’ll get to a Walmart parking lot and say ‘oh for crying out loud I didn't bring shoes with me’ and I'll have to go and get a pair of shoes.”
While everywhere they hike they leave an imprint on the ground beneath them it’s really mother nature that has left an imprint on their life that keeps them coming back for more.
If you’re interested in heading out with the group, click here for their meetup page.