Barefoot walking & running on the Turrach

Orthopaedists agree: walking barefoot has many positive effects on our bodies. Not only on the foot muscles, but also on other important aspects. We present five of them:

• Better footing: With shoes, many of us tread incorrectly. This means that we put our heel on first and then roll forwards. This has a lot to do with habit - over the course of our lives, we literally tip over into this wrong footing. When walking or running barefoot, however, we often instinctively get it right. We put our front and midfoot on first and then roll backwards. So if you regularly leave your shoes behind and walk barefoot through the world, you will improve your own demeanour. And by placing your feet on the ground and rolling off correctly, not only is every step better cushioned, but there is also less strain on the knees and hip joints.
  
• Stronger muscles: Another advantage of walking barefoot is that it strengthens the muscles in the foot and lower leg. It also improves blood circulation and stretches the tendons. Foot deformities such as fallen arches or splay feet are therefore far less common. Regular barefoot walking even counteracts unpleasant ailments such as hallux valgus or heel spurs.
  
• More upright posture : Regardless of whether it's grass, sand, stones or earth - the motto when walking barefoot is: the more different the surfaces, the better. Especially when we walk over uneven surfaces, our body has to constantly maintain balance. And it has far more to do than in shoes. The result: muscles and ligaments are exercised more. This also has a positive effect on our coordination skills. Overall, we can move better, are more stable, have a more pronounced sense of balance and improved body awareness.
  
• Greater self-confidence: The benefits of walking or running barefoot described in the last point are accompanied by another positive aspect: people who feel their own body better, walk more upright and have better posture overall are often more self-confident and self-assured.
  
• More resistant immune system: Walking on warm surfaces in summer sounds promising to many. But who can imagine taking their shoes off on colder days? That's where the wheat is usually separated from the chaff. But whether it's dewy meadows, a damp forest floor or cold stones - our immune system is happy about it. This is because it has a similar effect to contrast showers. However, the most important prerequisite for this is that we keep moving so that we don't cool down. It is also essential to dry off well and warm up again afterwards. For example, wrapped in a blanket and with a cup of tea.

Getting your feet used to the new freedom

Do you now feel like slipping out of your shoes and setting off? Very good! But don't overdo it at first, because walking and running barefoot is unfamiliar for most of us. It is therefore a good idea to slowly acclimatise your feet and muscles to the new freedom, but also to the strain, and to start with small units. This will help you avoid strains. The surface also plays an important role at the beginning: favour soft ground over harder surfaces.

Discover the Turracher Höhe barefoot

We at the Jägerwirt hiking hotel on the Turrach also believe in barefoot walking - and can practise it in a unique natural setting. Between fragrant stone pine forests, crystal-clear lakes and plenty of lush green meadows. As if that wasn't enough, we also offer regular barefoot hikes in summer. Our guests, both young and old, can experience nature up close, hiking barefoot over the high moor and across magnificent alpine meadows. The programme is rounded off with a lake picnic and a visit to the "Mythos Edelstein" museum. Perhaps one of the reasons to drop anchor at our hiking hotel by the lake in the Nockberge mountains in the future.