The great outdoors provides the perfect setting for retirees who are adventure seekers, nature lovers, and avid hikers. Baby Boomers who like to hike or want to pursue this type of outdoor recreational activity should consider moving into retirement communities that have easy access to hiking trails.
Across the country, there are age-restricted and age-targeted communities that are surrounded by wildlife preserves, parks, open spaces, and hiking trails that offer an alternative form of exercise for active adults. Hiking is a great outdoor activity that allows retirees to take in the area’s natural beauty and surroundings while improving their health with a challenging type of physical activity. It’s also a great activity that you can do alone or with a group of friends. So if you love hiking and are ready to hit the trails, check out some the following retirement communities:
SunRiver St. George, UT
St. George, Utah has attracted many retirees over the years because of its beautiful scenery and jaw-dropping mountain views. The city is full of state parks, camping areas, and miles of hiking trails. Baby Boomers can take advantage of all of these outdoor recreational opportunities as well as enjoy life in a gorgeous 55+ community that’s just a short distance from incredible trails. This age-restricted mountain view community provides luxurious resort-style amenities as well as a dozen social clubs and interest groups like the hiking club, dedicated to exploring the community’s pathways as well as the city’s best hiking trails.
Victory at Verrado – Buckeye, AZ
This new 55+ community in Buckeye, AZ, offers a vibrant and active lifestyle for all residents to enjoy. Victory at Verrado has a series of paths that weave throughout the community called Avid Trails. This trail network is perfect for casual walkers, competitive runners, and seasoned hikers. The trails connect to the backcountry of White Tank Mountain Regional Park as well as the additional 25 miles of walking and biking trails in the master-planned community of Verrado. Residents can connect with other people in the community to organize hikes through the Avid Trails interactive features that they can access online.
Pelican Preserve – Fort Myers, FL
With a 70,000 square-foot clubhouse and plenty of indoor and outdoor amenities, residents won’t have a problem staying active in this beautiful 55+ community. Pelican Preserve has a 38-acre nature preserve with green spaces, a butterfly garden, and a wooden boardwalk area that’s perfect for daily hikes or leisurely strolls. The preserve also has benches strategically placed throughout the trails so retirees can stop and enjoy the diverse flora and fauna.
Carillon at The Ponds – Summerville, SC
Carillon at The Ponds is a scenic 55+ neighborhood situated within the master-planned community of The Ponds in Summerville, SC. Retirees will love living in this serene development because of its 1,100-acre preserve that enhances the community’s natural beauty. Carillon at The Ponds features 21 miles of picturesque nature trails, parks, and open green spaces that connect throughout the neighborhood, making it easy for hikers to get outdoors whenever they want. The community also has a 20-acre lake, on-site ponds, garden plots, and a 4,000-square-foot clubhouse for the ideal setting in active adult living.
Sun City Palm Desert – Palm Springs, CA
Getting your daily dose of outdoor exercise is easy when you’re living in Sun City Palm Desert. This attractive active adult community features world-class amenities, multiple clubhouses, and two 18-hole championship golf courses. Located in Southern California’s Coachella Valley, hikers have plenty of trails that offer the ultimate in outdoor physical activity as well as beautiful scenery, breathtaking mountain views, and towering palm trees scattered throughout. The hiking club in Sun City Palm Desert is a popular social group that allows residents to boost their motivation to exercise while bonding with other outdoor enthusiasts.
Sun City Lincoln Hills – Lincoln, CA
This Del Webb active adult community is spread across 2,992 acres of lush landscape in Lincoln, CA. Retirees who love to spend time outside will enjoy the various parks and open spaces for outdoor recreation. With 19 hiking and biking trails that meander over acres of rolling hills, wetlands, and creeks, it’s no surprise to see so many residents participate in the hiking and walking club in this vibrant 55+ community. Baby Boomers can also enjoy the 18,000-acre Folsom Lake that’s nearby for additional hiking and biking trails as well as water and boating activities.
Regency at Palisades – Charlotte, NC
Located along the gorgeous shores of Lake Wylie in Charlotte, North Carolina, Regency at Palisades is an outdoor lover’s paradise. Retirees who are avid hikers can take advantage of the 4.17 miles of trails as well as explore its nature preserve and access Lake Wylie for boating activities. In addition to the community’s hiking trails, residents can also hike through McDowell Nature Preserve that features a nature center, nature trails, and a wildlife habitat.
