Why do people head for the trails?

I'm sure there's a slew of scientific, medical and psychological reasons why we head for the trails. For one, according to a study from The University of Stanford, going on a hike can lower your risk of depression and anxiety. As a matter of fact, a more specific study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, found that people who walked for 90 minutes in a natural area vs an urban setting, showed decreased activity in a region of the brains associated with a key factor to depression (Stanford News).

Now, real talk. What do hikers say? Well...from what I've read, heard from hikers I've met on the trail, documentaries I've watched about hiking The Appalachian Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail to watching several hiking movies like, "WILD" starring Reese Witherspoon, and why I head to the trails every chance I get? There is one word that correlates all the reasons, searching. We are all searching for something, whether it be to find peace and solitude, feel some relief or escape from the stresses of our daily lives, searching for identity, healing, clarification, searching for something bigger than ourselves, searching to feel more of God or just searching hoping to find. For me, the first time I hit the trail, I was in a really dark season and major transition in my life. It first began from becoming an empty nester and not feeling needed anymore, resigning from my teaching career, almost losing my marriage and feeling spiritually dead. So, I ran. I ran to the woods. Not intentionally at first, but in desperations to get away from all the noise, the heartache, in search of some relief. It is there where I found that the overwhelming feeling and heaviness I was carrying around, was lightened. It was on the trail where I remembered the Lord. It was on the trail where I was still enough to hear His voice again. It was on the trail where I cried out to God in my silent prayer to help me...He did. Why do you head for the trails? What are you searching for?