While pictures of hikers often depict them almost strolling through some of the world's most beautiful wilderness, unfortunately hiking is a little bit more difficult than a stroll in the park. Natural features such as soft dirt, gravel, hills and creeks make it difficult to maintain a good rhythm when walking and, when you start to carry a backpack over long distances, hiking can quickly become a real challenge.

Getting yourself ready for your first real hike means getting yourself fit and the first step is to build up your leg and back strength and to build endurance with some jogging. Once you've done that, you're ready for the next phase of preparation.

Carrying a backpack takes a bit of practice and a bit of getting used to so, for several days before your first hike, spend some time each day carrying a backpack while your exercise and gradually build up both the weight of the pack and the time for which you carry it.

Take the time to test out different strategies for loading your pack and adjust this to get the best balance and to eliminate any irritation with your backpack rubbing against your body.

Don't be afraid to take your pack with you whenever you can, even if it's just for a walk around town for some shopping and try to take routes that will take you over some rough ground if possible.

As well as experimenting with different ways of loading your backpack, also try out different walking rhythms and find out what works best for you and for your level of fitness. Finally, make sure you practice with the sort of clothing you'll be wearing on your first hike including your hiking boots.

When you do set out on your first hike, do so slowly and avoid the mistake that many novice hikers make of trying to walk too fast and to take too few rest breaks. Take your time and enjoy the scenery. You'll find you're able to last much longer between rest periods, and you'll enjoy the experience much more.

On long hikes, try not to give into the temptation to climb every small hill and cross every stream that you come across. Walking up and down hills takes a lot more energy than walking along a fairly level surface. If you want to make your hikes last all day, then you will need to think more like a marathon runner than a sprinter.

Develop a steady pace and, even if you find that the first mile or two is tough, if you get yourself into a rhythm you will be able to cover many miles without becoming exhausted.

Also, don't forget to take frequent breaks. You'll find that a break of five or ten minutes each hours will keep you hiking for far longer overall than trying to stop just once or twice during the day.

As your experience grows, and you develop greater stamina, your hikes will become longer and longer with less risk of fatigue or injury and you'll be able to enjoy even more of the world's great scenery.