How To Hike For Beginners On A Budget?

Hiking is a wonderful activity. It’s really fun to walk around in nature, feel the thrill of seeing the view from a mountain top, or even have a relaxing cup of coffee in a relaxing spot and rest. But hiking costs can get quite expensive and inaccessible, and many beginners wonder whether it’s possible to get into hiking on a budget.

In this post, we’re going to deep dive into the topic of hiking on a budget, consider the top costs, and detail different ways you might be able to lower the costs so you can go out hiking even on a tight budget. Hiking is fun and everyone should be able to do it, so here’s how.

Planning for a budget hike

Planning ahead is really important with hiking in general, and it’s even more important when you’re hiking on a budget. You need to know where you’re going to hike, what gear and consumables to bring with you, and how to get there. These are all important things to consider for the hike itself, but also to minimize your costs.

If you’re wondering how expensive hiking actually is, I broke down the different costs of hiking in a previous post and detailed how much each cost should total on average.

By planning ahead, you’ll have the information you need to lower the costs of hiking because you’ll know exactly what you need for the trip.

When planning for a budget hike, try to plan your trip to a local trail that is easily accessible and low-cost. Transportation to your hiking destination can get quite expensive, especially if it’s far away. I’ve met a few people who even traveled abroad for some really unique hikes – these trips can get quite expensive. If you check your local area you’ll probably find at least a few options for where to hike.

Choosing your hiking destination, try to choose one that is either free or low-cost. A lot of hiking trails have a high entrance fee, so checking in advance how much the trail you’re planning to go to costs and avoiding the expensive ones can save you some money.

Getting essential gear for a budget hike

Hiking gear is usually the expensive part, and where most people might feel intimidated. But there are some ways you can minimize your gear costs so that you can enjoy good hikes even on a budget.

First, you should really only focus on a few essential items you need for hiking when you’re just starting out, and avoid spending money on other items. The main items you really need for day hikes are comfortable hiking shoes, clothes, water, a hat, and a hiking backpack. Most of the other items are nice to have but non-essential.

Additionally, you don’t have to invest a lot of money into all of the items right from the start. When I wasn’t hiking regularly, I bought a pair of cheap sandals just so I have them for water crossing. They weren’t great, but they got the job done when I needed them for water crossing and letting my feet breathe. I later replaced them with a pair of really good sandals that cost way more, when I was more regularly hiking and had the budget.

When starting out, for example, you don’t need an expensive water reservoir – you can simply grab a few water bottles and fill them up. It’s cheap and efficient.

Not sure what essential hiking equipment you need? I created an entire checklist you can use on your next hiking trip.

I think you need to invest a bit in the essential items to start hiking, to get good equipment that will make the hiking experience much better, and last you a long time. I had the experience of skimping on equipment when going on a trek after a long time not trekking. It wasn’t a fun experience, and you don’t want to go on a trip and end up not enjoying it just because of your equipment. Make sure you have everything you need and that the equipment feels good, even if you’re on a budget.

With that in mind, there are ways to get the equipment cheaper. For example, you can try to find good deals on the gear when you buy it. Some brands do sales where they mark off some percentage of the price, so you can try to wait for those.

Alternatively, you can try to borrow some of the gear before going on the hike. Ask friends and family if they have the things you need, and you can borrow them for the trip. Many people do outdoor activities for a while, but then stop, so you’re likely to find at least some of the things you need if you just ask.

The hiking community is very active and friendly, and many people sell and buy second-hand equipment online. If you’re looking for quality gear on the cheap, you can log in to a hiking group on your favorite social media platform, and I’m sure you’ll be able to easily find what you need.

Hiking food and water on a budget

If you’re trying to save some money while hiking, cooking your own food is the first and most important step. Of course, it’s more convenient to take a detour and find somewhere to eat out or have some packaged meal, but it typically comes with a higher price tag.

If you’re taking a short trip, you can pack a homemade meal and some snacks. If the trip is longer and takes a few days, you can bring ingredients with you and enjoy some outdoor cooking.

For water, if you’re trying to save money, you can simply refill reusable water bottles, and bring them on the trip with you. Expensive hydration systems are more convenient, but they’re not necessary.

You should make healthy meals that don’t require refrigeration. Snacks like nuts, seeds, and energy bars are a great way to get some nutrients on the trail. I especially like bringing nuts, dates, and all kinds of fruits when going on a hike.

If you need some ideas for cheap hiking food, you can get some good options and general inspiration from my complete guide to hiking food and meal planning.

Tips for hiking on a budget

Here are a few small things that can make a big difference, to save money while going on your next hiking adventure:

• Choose local trails: you probably have a lot of different hiking trails you can enjoy without going far. A nearby trail will require less fuel and time to get to, so the trip will become cheaper.
• Travel in the off-season: fees and lodging are often more expensive during the hiking season when the crowds storm the trails. If possible, try hiking in the off-season or on weekdays.
• Join or start a hiking group: a group has many advantages that an individual doesn’t, regarding hiking conditions and costs. A group can share a ride to the destination, split equipment, and sometimes even get discounts on fees and equipment. Joining or starting a group is a great way to make hiking more pleasurable, while also making it more affordable.
• Camp for free: if you’re hiking for multiple days, there are often a lot of options for where to camp. You can save money by looking for free campsites in the area, for example in national forests.

Conclusions

Anyone can enjoy hiking, and it can be quite affordable if you apply some simple rules. Try to minimize the highest expenses of hiking gear, transportation, and food, and you’ll be set for a great time while keeping the costs low.

I hope this post was helpful, and enjoy your next adventure!