It is true that a good motivation for hiking is the contribution to health and enjoying nature. It is true that photos inspire us to visit various places and proudly say, “I’ve been there.” But the most accurate statement is that on the mountain, we return to ourselves. During walking, ascents, and gazing into the vastness, we have time for those solitary conversations with ourselves. All that suffocates us in the city, everything we value in life, everything we don’t want to lose, and everything we want to have passes through our minds.

I don’t know how to explain it. Does oxygen influence the clarity of thoughts? Do we sweat out all the negativity? Do views of beautiful landscapes bring positive energy? I only know with certainty that on the mountain, I find everything I’m looking for. I find people with a “vibe” that suits me, I find stories that inspire me to go further and hope, I find strength I didn’t even know I possessed. I find a reason to love life and to rejoice. To rejoice in the weekend and the next ascent, but also to rejoice in the workdays, everyday responsibilities, for which I’ll “earn” those wonderful hours during the weekend.

You learn to live in the rhythm of nature, forget about stress, and realize that the best roads are unpaved, and the most beautiful places are those your own feet can take you. You feel like you’re coming home after a long absence. In the mountains, every moment is the real one. Reaching high altitudes raises adrenaline, but you need to pause even at the foot of the mountain, absorb every detail with your gaze, and breathe in deeply. The mountain offers a lot and takes nothing back. It resonates with music for those who know how to listen. That’s why – the mountains.