How To Plan A Successful Hike: A Complete Guide
Planning a hiking trip can be quite a complicated task because there are a lot of things you need to take care of and plan for in advance. I’ve planned a few hikes before and formed a short list of things I need to take care of before going on a hike, so I don’t forget anything.
In this post, I’ll detail what you need to have in mind and organize before going on a hiking trip, so you feel confident you took care of everything you need on the trail. We’ll consider the specific location and route you go on, the supplies you might need, and any additional preparation for the trip.
1. Choose a location
The first thing you need to do when planning a hike is to choose the location. There are a lot of trails you can go to, so choose a specific one that you really want to visit.
An important factor to consider is what scenery you want to see. Some trails go through mountain areas, others through forests and meadows. You can narrow down the possible trails you can take the trip to depend on what kind of scenery you love, and what you’re in the mood for.
Consider the distance of the trail from your home, and how you’re going to get there. Check how long it’ll take to get there, whether you walk on foot, drive by car, or take public transportation. Some trails take a long time to complete, so you need to know when you’re going to start the trail and when you’re going to have to complete it.
Some trails require fees and permits to visit, so make sure you have everything you need before taking the trip. In some cases, you can pay for entrance online, and in other cases, you’ll need to pay on the spot. Just make sure to check before going on the trip.
Check the weather condition of the trail at the time you’re planning to hike in. Some trails are better to visit in summer, and others are better in winter. Consider weather-related issues, like heat, cold, or snow, and whether you can hike in the conditions of the trail. Check what is the best time of year of the specific trail you’re considering traveling to.
2. Plan your route and timeline
When you already have a specific destination in mind, you’ll need to plan the route and timeline of your trip. Some areas have multiple different trails going through them, with different difficulty levels and lengths, so you’ll need to choose the specific trail you’re going to take. You’ll also need to estimate how long it’ll take to complete the trail.
You can use a map or a GPS device to plan the route. There are outdoor apps you can download to your phone and use – just remember to download all the necessary maps to your phone beforehand because you might not get reception on the trail.
Some trails have organized normal routes that most people take, so you can use these, or you can simply plan what routes you’re going to take based on the markings on the map.
After you finish planning your route, you can start considering the timeline of the trip. There are many different factors to how fast a hiker walks, but with experience, you can learn to estimate how fast you generally walk. You can use what I wrote in a previous post about how much you can hike in a day to improve your estimation.
Besides your fitness level, how fast you can complete a hike also depends on elevation gain. Going uphill and downhill is harder than walking on a plane. Going uphill takes more energy because you have to climb up, and going downhill takes more concentration and is harder on your knees. Consider elevation gain when planning the timeline of the hike.
Make sure to consider the terrain and possible hazards of the trail. If you’re walking in a dangerous area, you’re likely to walk more carefully and slow down. Going on uneven terrain takes much longer than going on a dirt road.
If you’re planning to go back to where you started the hike, because you parked your car there, you’ll need to make sure that the route is circular, or that you have enough time to turn around and go back. Planning a circular trip makes life much easier, but sometimes there’s no option to do that. In that case, plan your top turnaround time, when you have to start heading back to avoid being stuck out at night.
To make better estimations, you can consult with people who complete the hike, on online forums, on Facebook, or on dedicated websites and apps. Learn from other people’s experiences, and get suggestions they might have for you.
3. Gather necessary gear and supplies
Before going on the hike, you’ll need to gather the supplies and equipment you need on the trail. Making a list of everything you need is the best way to keep everything organized, and to make sure you’re not forgetting anything.
In the list, I’ve included all the gear items you might need. Consider personal items, hike-related items, hydration, food, clothing, navigation, tools, accessories, and personal hygiene items. Make sure to list the items in detail, so you have everything on the list.
If you need some inspiration, I already wrote an entire article about what you need in a day hike, where I list the essentials. You can start with the list I created, and add or remove items based on the specific trip you’re taking and on your personal preferences.
For a backpacking trip, where you hike for multiple days, you’ll also need overnight gear and supplies. Things like a tent, a sleeping bag, and a sleeping pad are a must. You’ll also need to bring more supplies for the entire trip.
I also have a similar post where I detail what items you need for a backpacking trip, and you can use it as an inspiration when creating your list as well.
It’s important that you also have all the emergency items you might need on the trail. For example, having a well-packed first-aid kit is essential when enjoying the outdoors, in case of an emergency. These items can save your life in case of a dangerous situation.
4. Choose appropriate clothing
The clothing your wear on a hike has a lot do to with how pleasant the hike can be. Proper hiking clothes are functional, comfortable, and practical. You need to choose the clothes you wear based on the weather and temperature conditions during the hike.
If you want to consider your hiking clothing with more detail, I wrote a complete article about what to wear for a hike, where I detail everything you need to know and offer tips for summer and winter hiking clothing.
You should generally wear comfortable and breathable clothing for your hike, preferably with moisture-wicking fabrics that’ll be more comfortable to wear. These minimize chafing and blisters you might get while on the hike.
If you’re hiking in winter, wear layers. Start with a base layer which should be moisture-wicking, add a mid-layers that should provide warmth, and top with rainwear. Layering is versatile, so if at any point during the hike you feel too cold or too hot, you can add or remove layers as you’d like.
No matter the season, you need to bring a hat and sunscreen with you to your hike. A hat protects your head from the heat, and if it’s wide-brimmed, it can also protect your face and neck from sunburns. Sunscreen is also really important to protect your skin while outdoors.
Your footwear of choice can either make or break a hike. Especially in a technical hiking condition, you really want a pair of supportive shoes, that have good traction and can protect your feet from the elements. Your shoes should feel comfortable, and should already be broken in, so you don’t get blisters.
I especially like having a good pair of hiking boots, especially when backpacking, but for a short day hike you can get away with other types of shoes. Many people also like hiking with trail running shoes, so these can be a great option if you prefer a lightweight alternative to hiking shoes.
5. Bring plenty of water
A hike can be an intensely physical activity, so you have to bring enough water and make sure to hydrate during the trip. Especially on warm summer days, bringing a sufficient amount of water can be a matter of safety.
There are a lot of ways to carry water on a hike. You can bring multiple water bottles, which are easily accessible when stored on the side of your backpack. You can instead carry a hydration bladder, which is really convenient for drinking water on the go.
If you want to learn more about the pro and cons of the different ways you can carry water on a hike, and about how much water you need, you can read more about it in my post about carrying water on a hike.
You should bring enough water so you don’t run out in the middle of the hike. This can be quite challenging to estimate in advance because your water consumption depends on your personal water intake, the weather, and on the difficulty of the hike. As a general rule, it’s recommended to take at least 1-1.5 liters of water per hour hiking.
It’s sometimes possible to plan to fill the water during the hike. On multi-day backpacking trips, that’s typically the only way to get water, so you need to plan your route so you have where to refill your water.
In any case, you should always use water filters and purify your water when taking them from natural sources, to avoid getting sick. If you plan to refill your water from a natural source, carry water treatment equipment with you.
6. Pack some snacks
A hike can require some serious physical activity, so you’re also likely to get hungry during the trip. Packing something to eat on the way will make your hike much more enjoyable. It’s really fun to stop somewhere with a nice view to eat some snacks and rest.
For longer hikes, you can even bring lunch so you can stop and eat on the hike. If the hike is short, you can simply bring some snacks you can eat on the way.
For multi-day trips, you’ll need to plan ahead what you’re going to eat and bring the appropriate amount of food, that’ll keep you going for the entire duration of the trip.
There are some great hiking snacks you can choose from: trail mix, dried fruits, fruits, jerky, and nuts are all great options. Bring calorically dense foods that can last without refrigeration.
If the hike is short, you can also bring other foods that can last the trip without spoiling. Things like energy bars and sandwiches can be filling enough for a longer trip.
Remember that everything you bring with you on a hike should also leave with you. Leaving no trace is really important to preserve nature, so everybody can enjoy it in the future. Don’t leave trash or food scraps on the trail, even if they’re “natural”, because they can mess the ecosystem up.
7. Prepare for emergencies
Before going on a hike, you should make sure someone is familiar with your plans and knows where you’re planning to go. In case of an emergency, this person can alert the authorities of your whereabouts, which can be a matter of life or death.
It’s also important to carry emergency equipment with you. Having a first-aid kit is a must for every hiker. You can also carry a headlamp with you, in case you get stuck out at night and need to navigate back. Consider different scenarios you might find yourself in, and try to minimize risk.
Before going on the hike, make an emergency list, so you know where to call in case you need to.
During the hike, make sure to listen to your body. Don’t push yourself too hard if you feel like you can’t handle it. It’s better to sit down and rest for a while, so you can continue and complete the hike, rather than pushing yourself and risking it. Keep cautious, follow directions, and enjoy a safe trip.
Final Thoughts
In this post, we’ve considered how to plan a successful hiking trip. There are a lot of things to take care of, but by following this simple process, you can feel secure that you didn’t forget anything, and you can enjoy your trip.
