People who truly want to learn how to enhance marijuana seek out adventure. Smoking weed and hiking is one of the best options for this. You can explore different parts of this crazy, beautiful rock we live on called earth. You can also learn to quiet your mind and focus on the experience of being immersed in nature.

“Cannabis, in my experience, is one of the best available conduits between the mind and nature,” gushes Leafly’s Bailey Rahn. “It allows connection, appreciation, and access to peace during intense physical and mental exertion.”

Just make sure to be smart about it! Stoner hiking can be incredibly dangerous to someone who gets in way over their head. The last thing you want is to end up lost, baked out of your mind, and without a real plan to find your way back to the trail.

To help you enjoy your next jaunt with a joint, follow these five tips that make smoking weed and hiking an incredible combination.

Know Your Park Laws and Be Considerate While Stoner Hiking

Cannabis users are no strangers to skirting around the law. In a time when people with real chronic conditions couldn’t get the medicinal marijuana they needed to treat their symptoms, breaking the law was understandable.

But when a rule is meant to protect forests, wildlife, and other people’s enjoyment of them, ignoring it is completely not cool.

Make sure to do a little research since you may not even be aware of the laws. For instance, smoking is banned in all parks in Metro Vancouver. That includes the Burnaby Mountain Conservation Area, which is a popular place for day hikes.

In the U.S., where cannabis is legal for recreational use in states like Washington, federal law still considers marijuana illegal. Since National Parks are federal (not state) land, you could go from being totally cool with an ounce in your car on the outskirts of Olympic National Park to breaking the law as soon as you pass the parking attendant.

So, just be aware that you may be subject to some pretty hefty fines if you get caught sparking up in a place that bans smoking and e-cigarettes.

You should also never smoke something like a joint or a bowl around others in the park since it’s pretty inconsiderate. If you want to avoid making other people smell your herb, altogether,  as they walk the trail, rely on edibles or a portable vape/oil pen.

Pack Out All of Your Trash and Don’t Create Fire Hazards

A single ember or discarded roach is enough to send acres of natural lands up in flames, so be mindful of the fire you make while on the trail.

Be extremely cautious when cashing out your bowls. Disposing of your roaches shouldn’t be a problem, though, since you will need to bring any trash out with you that you brought in. Carry along an extra Ziploc bag to keep them from stinking up your pack.

Also, remember that accidental fires can happen easily during periods of drought. Take a look to see if the park you intend to visit has any burn bans during the season or if the fire alert system is on high. If either of these are the case, stick to edibles or vapes.

Know Your Comfort Level With Both Smoking Weed and Hiking

Getting lost in a park is no joke! Even if you are just a mile or so away from civilization, you can be difficult to track down should you go missing.

One group of English hikers even reportedly got so baked on a mountain that they couldn’t even hike anymore. Mountain Rescue and air support had to go rescue them!

The thing to remember is that getting lost can be easy in certain parks. Know how to read trails and carry a map with you if you intend to go on a hike into more remote areas.

Ideally, you will only be enjoying cannabis in parks you have visited before or trail types you are comfortable with. Having at least one person in the group who is familiar with the trail system or specific park is highly advisable.

If you are a newcomer to hiking, consider going to a park with shorter, well-maintained trails and more obvious facilities. You can always work your way up to the true wilderness later.

Regardless of your level of hiking experience, always be prepared. Have enough layers in case things get cold and pack in a first aid kit in the event that someone gets injured.

Also, take it easy on the weed! Stoner hiking doesn’t have to involve ripping huge dabs. You’re not going to be sitting on the couch playing Call of Duty, after all. Combining vigorous physical activity with cannabis can make you overwhelmed quickly.

That goes doubly for mountain hikes, cautions Westword’s David Dean. “If hiking high altitudes, take baby steps with smoking cannabis. Diving right in can cause things to start spinning real quick.”

Be Aware of Cannabis Dehydration Since Stoner Hiking Can Lead to Major Cotton Mouth

Hiking is incredibly physically demanding. This demand increases if you happen to be carrying a heavy pack or going over steep terrain. All of this means that you are going to get thirsty fast.

That’s why hiking pros like the people at Greenbelly recommend carrying at least one liter of water per hour you intend to be on the trail. They also suggest drinking at least a liter of water before you set off. Don’t chug; sip slowly, since this will help you keep the water in you longer rather than just passing it through.

Everyone knows that cannabis leads to cotton mouth, so consider bringing extra water above that recommendation. Swirl the water around your mouth each time you drink, too, so that you can refresh your gums and other soft tissues.

Pack the Best Cannabis Strains for Stoner Hiking

Since indica can make you sleepy, try to seek out uplifting and energizing sativa strains before your journey.

The best cannabis strains for stoner hiking also tend to give mental clarity, allowing you to fully appreciate nature and make good decisions while on the trail. Durban poison, harlequin, and green crack are all great options for this.

Citrus-tasting marijuana strains like super lemon haze and sour diesel similarly provide an energizing boost, although their high THC content means they should be toked with discretion.

If you can be safe, considerate, and prepare adequately, smoking weed and hiking can be one of the most incredible experiences of your life.

The world around us is breathtaking, fascinating, and incredibly diverse. Get out there and explore the planet to become a stoner hiking extraordinaire!