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"This spring, several celebrities have been spotted hiking: [Rachel Bilson](/about/rachel-bilson) in L.A., [Amanda Seyfried](/about/amanda-seyfried) in California's Topanga Canyon Park, and Nicole Kidman and her mini-me Sunday Rose in Hawaii. Then, of course, there's [Jessica Biel](/search/query?queryType=nonparsed&amp;sort=score+desc&amp;query=jessica+biel&amp;submit=) who makes everyone else look like a wimp by scaling Kilimanjaro (and setting her sights on Everest!).\\n\\n\\n\\n[Bonus: How to hike for hot legs!  \\n](/fitness/2010/03/top-leg-toning-moves)\\n\\nThis weekend, you can jump on the bandwagon for free--[National Parks](http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm) nationwide are waiving admission fees in honor of National Hiking Day (Click [here](http://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm) to find a park near you). Here are some tips for making the most of a weekend in the great outdoors.\\n\\n1. Take small steps--giant strides will fatigue you faster\\n\\n2. On downhills, to protect you knees, stay light on your feet rather than planting each foot firmly on in the dirt. For added joint protection (and a [bonus arm workout](/fitness/workouts/2008/11/sculpt-a-list-arms-fast#slide=1)!) hike with poles. Our faves are from [Leki](http://www.leki.com/)--super light weight and cute.*3*. If you wear a backpack, cinch the hip belt snugly and adjust shoulder straps so the bulk of the bag's weight rests on your hips. [Core](/fitness/workouts/2010/01/pilates-abs-slideshow#slide=1) and [leg muscles](/fitness/workouts/2007/12/leg-toners-slideshow#slide=1) should do the lifting, not your shoulders. TIP: For sturdier footing, pack heavy items close to the bottom of the pack.\\n\\n4. As you walk, keep your line of vision straight ahead to avoid neck pain. And try to stay as upright as possible--you'll stress your spine and tire more quickly if you lean forward on inclines.\\n\\n\\n\\n[Eliminate pain with SELF's 2010 Health Handbook](/health/2010/02/health-handbook)\\n\\n\\n\\nAnyone hitting the trail this weekend?"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.self.com/story/self-weekend-to-do-list-take-a>