[pmoriarty]

"Not saying ticks aren't a health risk. But an inactive lifestyle is also a health risk, and very likely a much bigger one."

You don't have to perform activities that expose yourself to the risk of getting tickborne illness just to be active.

[hannob]

Given that the biggest inhibitor of an active lifestyle for most people is motivation I'd say do whatever you like, even if it carries minor risks. And I doubt ticks from hiking overall is a relevant risk.