There’s nothing quite like a hiking trip. You get to spend some time with nature, learn more about yourself, and improve your fitness – all while traveling the world and experiencing something new every single day. With COVID-19 restrictions beginning to lift, you may already have started packing your bags to get started on your next adventure as soon as possible.

However, it’s also important that you remember that a hiking trip requires much more organisation than a traditional holiday, as there are many things you need to consider aside from which hotel you’d like to lounge around in. 

With that in mind, here are some top tips that you can use to ensure that your next hiking trip is a success. 

• Carefully plan your route so you know how far you need to travel each day. Be realistic about how long this trip will take you – as you shouldn’t try to push yourself too far out of your comfort zone in regards to how many miles you can travel each day. This is an essential step towards your safety, as you can plan your journey around your limitations and always know where you will be each night. It also means that you can take advantage of the travel trends for 2021 by ticking certain destinations off your bucket list. 

• Ensure that your friends or family have a copy of your travel itinerary – so that they could get in contact with you throughout your travels. This can help you remain safe, as somebody will be able to raise the alarm should something go awry and they don’t hear from you. 

• Renew your interest in fitness ahead of time so that you are in the best physical condition you can be when you start your hike. This is important as you will be spending a lot of time on your feet and need to ensure that your stamina is up to scratch. After all, if you have to stop and rest every 5 minutes, you will feel as though you are wasting valuable time.

• Purchase high-quality shoes. Though hiking boots can be expensive, they should be treated as a necessary investment into your hiking experience. After all, cheaper shoes may not be suitable for rough terrain or may lead to discomfort and even injury. 

• Ensure that you have everything you need in your backpack while also ensuring that it is not too heavy. Ideally, your backpack should contain Water and snacks, a first aid kit, sunscreen, dry clothes, a portable phone charger, and safety gear, alongside any GPS tools you may need. You can find out more about the best equipment for your trip by checking out the GPS buying guide from Outdoor Command.

Think carefully about where you will be spending your downtime when not hiking – as you will need somewhere to rest and recover, especially if you have walked a long distance that day. Some hikers prefer to stay in hotels or hostels along their route, whereas others may decide to stick to camping, as this is more cost-efficient.