A writer on digital trends and the outdoors recently explored the concept of cemetery hiking, a practice that involves hiking in cemeteries and other urban greenspaces. The writer visited the Lone Fir Cemetery in Portland, Oregon, and spoke with fellow hikers and leaders of cemetery nature walks to learn more about this trend.
The idea of cemetery hiking may seem like a new and unusual activity, but it has a long history. In the Victorian era, people would often visit cemeteries as a form of leisure and to connect with nature. The Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts, was consecrated in 1831 and was designed as a garden cemetery, predating the first official National Park, Yellowstone, which was established in 1872.
The History of Cemetery Hiking
Changing attitudes around death and dying have led to a decline in the practice of visiting cemeteries for leisure, but it is not a new trend. A group of Norwegian social scientists published a paper in 2017 on the psychological and restorative benefits of spending time in cemeteries, finding that visitors experienced similar benefits to those who spent time in other types of greenspaces, such as forests.
One of the benefits of cemetery hiking is the opportunity to connect with nature and find peace in a busy urban environment. The writer notes that spending time in cemeteries can be a way to find mental peace and to reflect on the fleeting nature of life. The garden cemetery movement, which began in the 19th century, emphasized the importance of creating beautiful and peaceful spaces for the dead, which could also serve as public parks and greenspaces.
As the writer embarked on a cemetery hike in Black Diamond, Washington, they spoke with fellow hikers about what drew them to the activity. One hiker, an 11-year-old girl named Maricela, was searching for ghosts and had heard strange noises coming from a small hole in the ground. Others found the experience peaceful and contemplative, and appreciated the public greenspace that the cemetery provided.
The writer also reflected on their own connections to the dead, having grown up in a small former-mining community in West Virginia. As they sat among the quiet brambles of the Franklin Ghost Town cemetery, they considered the symbolism of the blackberry thicket that covered much of the cemetery, and the phrase “Here lies one whose name was writ in water,” which was inscribed on the tombstone of the poet John Keats.
The Ecological Benefits of Cemetery Hiking
In addition to the psychological benefits, cemetery hiking can also have ecological benefits. The writer spoke with Efemmera Gendera, a leader of the Drag Me Outside nature walk group, who noted that urban greenspace cemeteries can provide refuge for migratory birds, urban predators, and other non-human beings. A 2019 meta-analysis published in the journal Global Ecology and Conservation found that garden cemeteries can confer a range of ecological benefits, including providing habitat for wildlife and mitigating the urban heat island effect.
As the writer continued on their hike, they came across a stunning view of the Mt. Rainier area, and considered the ways in which cemetery hiking can provide a unique perspective on the natural world. The experience of hiking in a cemetery, surrounded by the remnants of human life and the beauty of nature, can be a powerful way to reflect on the interconnectedness of all living things. The writer’s journey took them over the Green River Gorge Bridge and up a winding, blackberry-laden track to the old mining town, its 1,300-foot Mine Shaft #2, and its cemetery, a total distance of 2.5 miles round-trip.
Reflections on the Experience
The writer’s hike to the Franklin Ghost Town and Cemetery was a poignant reminder of the importance of considering the dead and the role they play in our lives.
