
While the holy month of Ramazan is being observed with religious zeal nowadays, hiking in the federal capital has become a popular physical activity while fasting.
In recent years, many have incorporated hiking into their Ramazan routines, seeing it as a natural opportunity to gain health benefits, like the reset of the digestive system, weight management and others.
Trail-3 in Islamabad remains a popular destination for hikers, even during this sacred month.
Touqeer Ahmed, a regular hiker aiming to lose weight, shared his experience, saying, "I have joined hiking in Ramazan to accelerate my weight loss and it has been more effective than I expected." Similarly, some individuals see hiking as tough during fasting due to the impact of the weather. "I hike regularly and though I feel thirsty it's bearable; I feel both mental and physical relaxation during hiking," said Fakhr Imtiaz.
Many hikers enjoy the natural environment while maintaining their fitness goals. Syed Muhammad Tayyab, another regular hiker, remarked, "I joined hiking again in Ramazan to spend more time in nature because hiking during Ramazan is particularly effective for weight loss, but the serene environment of the trails also gives mental satisfaction."
However, with rising temperatures and the physical demands of fasting, this year's Ramazan has seen a moderate turnout on hiking trails. Umar Shaani, a caretaker at Trail-3, noted, "There hasn't been a significant decline in hikers during Ramazan compared to regular days." He also said that the trail was usually packed on weekends-except during Ramazan.
Health experts also acknowledge the benefits of moderate exercise during fasting but caution against overexertion. Ayesha Noor, a nutritionist and fitness expert, advises that choosing moderate trails or light walks during Ramazan is a good idea to avoid muscle fatigue and dehydration and it's important to pace yourself, especially on more tiring days."
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ