Hiking is an activity of moderate difficulty, which involves walking across long distances

generally on trails or paths. The duration of the activity varies between short half-day
programs and longer itineraries of over 20 days. It is usually an activity that allows
groups of different sizes.
Hiking and trekking are two terms sometimes used indistinctly. The difference between
each of them is usually the duration of the specific activity. Hiking is associated with
shorter programs, while trekking is used to describe longer programs of a week or more.
Hiking is also a great way to immerse yourself in the culture and history of a country or
area. Longer programs will take you to experience local communities and taste unique
local food. Hiking is where the trail meets the people, and mountain sports meet
cultural adventure.
Are there different types of hiking? 
There are different types of hiking depending on the difficulty and the duration of each
program.
Short hikes
Hikes can be as short as half a day or 1 day, as a great complement to a short trip, for
example, and always a great way to connect with your more natural self. Hikes can also
involve a series of days.
Long hikes – or treks
Some hiking (or trekking) programs involve over 12 days, covering dozens of
kilometres. These programs generally include spending the night in tents, camps or
mountain huts.
These tend to be opportunities to visit more remote local areas, and create a more
cultural experience as well as natural.

The view from

Mount Fuji after a successful hiking program. Photo: Chikako Hayashi.
What is the best time of the year to practice
hiking?
Hiking is an activity available most of the year, depending on the area. Winter is not a
preferred season for hiking programs, as it can be harsher and more dangerous. Most
mountain areas where ski sports are practiced during the winter are suitable for hiking
programs on the warmer months.
Some areas are suitable for hiking programs all year round. This is strictly specific to
each location and its particular geographic and weather conditions.
4-day Nahuel Huapi Traverse, Bariloche, Argentina. Photo: Camila Chamizo.
What equipment do you need?
This will depend on the duration of the program, and especially if it is an over-night
program or not. Generally you will need:
 Two different pairs of shoes: a pair of strong and waterproof hiking shoes, and a
lighter pair (sneakers or sandals)
 Rain and windproof jacket and pants
 Sun cream
 Sunglasses
 Hat or cap
 35 or 40 litre backpack (you usually need to carry your own equipment, unless it
is a longer hike in which case there are sometimes porters)
 Water bottle
 Walking poles
 Head lamp
Why do you need a mountain guide to go
hiking?
Hiking is not just walking around. This is why the role of mountain guides is essential
to a safe and interesting hiking experience. They will know the state of the different
trails and paths, set up the best itineraries, and determine how safe each of them is.
This includes knowledge about the flora and fauna in the area, how to engage with it
and respect it.
Guides are in charge of planning a balanced program according to your needs and
fitness level. Good hiking itineraries will contemplate strategic pauses in between hiking
phases, so you can experience the program to the maximum and reach your goals,
according to your experience and physical possibilities.
The professional knowledge of mountain guides includes logistic contacts to make a
program smoother, more efficient and safer. Also, should there be any kind of
emergency, they are prepared to assist you.

HOW TO: STAY SAFE WHILE HIKING

It seems lately there’s always a story on the news about someone disappearing in the wilderness while
camping or hiking. Since these are our favorite activities, we want to share a few tips that will help you
enjoy your adventuring and leave this kind of concern at home on the nightly news channel.

Preparation is Key

If you’re heading out for a hike, long or short:

– Let someone else know where you’ll be going, and agree on a time to check-in.
– Pack for a number of different scenarios such as rain, heat, injury, or hunger.
– Be sure your first aid kit has been replenished with any used/missing items.
– Consider using a water filtration kit to help keep the weight of your pack down and your water levels
up. Dehydration is dangerous on almost any hike longer than a couple hours.

Facing Rain

Even when forecasts call for sunshine, you can find yourself all wet out on the trail. Luckily, rain gear is
pretty light.
– Pack a poncho, plastic storage zipper bags, dry bags, and a tarp to make a shelter.
– Take extra caution when hiking in the rain since trails can be slick and easily turn into wash ways for
flash floods.
– Pack a change of clothes. Staying dry is very important while hiking in cooler climates to avoid
hypothermia.
– Have your gear treated for rain.

Cut Your Gear

– Leave any unnecessary bits behind. After a couple hours on the trail, you can really start to feel each
pound. For example, pour up a small container full of your favorite bug spray instead of taking the whole
big bottle.

Hike in a Group

– You should always have at least one buddy along for the hike if you plan on hiking a low-traffic trail.
They can help with any unpleasant circumstances like an injury.
– A group can also distribute gear between them and make the trip lighter for smaller hikers or children
who may be along.

No Cotton Clothing

Long distance hikers will know that cotton clothes will get wet easily and stay that way for a long time. If
you’re in an arid climate, that can be helpful to keep you cool, but in most cases, cotton is great for your
bandana, not your shirt.

Your Gear Should Fit You

If your pack is too tight or your shoes too big (or vice-a-versa), you’ll be miserable in no time. Wear well
broken-in shoes and a backpack that has been adjusted to your frame. Packs with padded waist belts
and adjustable torso supports will allow you to shift the weight to different positions while hiking so you
don’t wear one muscle group out too quickly. See our post on picking hiking shoes for more tips (posts
about backpack choice and fit coming soon).

Stay Organized Throughout the Hike

Our final tip is this: If you get it out, put it back in the same place. Sometimes on a hike you need to be
able to respond quickly with water or a compress. It’s important to have these kinds of items handy and
know just which pocket it is in.

As always, there’s more fun to be had when everyone is safely enjoying the adventure.
Day Hiking Checklist

Heading out for a day hike is a delightful way to explore nature with friends and family,
or even by yourself. Whether you want to go deep into the mountains or stay closer to
home, the places to go are numerous; many state and national parks offer broad
networks for trails, as does national forest land. To find a hike in your area, head on
over to Hiking Project.
To determine what you need to bring on a day hike, think about how far you plan to
hike, how remote the location is and what the weather forecast has in store. In general,
the longer and/or more remote the hike is and the more inclement the weather, the
more clothing, gear, food and water you’re going to want. If you’re just getting into day
hiking, be sure to read our Hiking for Beginners article before you head out.
 

What to Bring Day Hiking

These items should be on your hiking checklist:

 Hiking backpack
 Weather-appropriate clothing (think moisture-wicking and layers)
 Hiking boots or shoes
 Plenty of food
 Plenty of water
 Navigation tools such as a map and compass
 First-aid kit
 Knife or multi-tool
 The rest of the Ten Essentials as appropriate for your hike

How to Use This Day Hiking

Checklist
While you’re packing, use this handy day hiking checklist to make sure you don’t forget
anything important. Here are some notes on how to best use this list:
  The Ten Essentials: Items that are part of the Ten Essentials are marked by an
asterisk (*). The exact items you take can be tailored to your trip based on
considerations such as weather, difficulty, duration and distance from help. To learn
more, see our article on the Ten Essentials.
 This checklist is deliberately comprehensive and intended for day hikes in the
backcountry where being self-sufficient is important to your well-being. It includes
many more items than you’re likely to need for short treks in or near developed areas,
like city parks, though you can adapt it to your needs for these trips.
 Printer-friendly PDF: Print out the PDF version for easy use at home.

 
 
 

Hiking Gear
A backpack is the primary piece of gear for day hiking. One that holds 11–20 liters of
gear is about right for short, simple hikes, while something bigger is good for treks
where more food, water, clothing and gear is required. Learn more about choosing a
daypack.
 

 Daypack

Optional:

 Trekking poles

 
 

Clothing & Footwear

Check the forecast and make sure to dress for the conditions. To be prepared for
changing weather or an unplanned night out, pack extra clothes beyond those required
for the trip. It’s also important to consider how much protection your clothing provides
against the sun’s ultraviolet rays. For footwear, determine what to wear based on the
terrain. On gentle hikes on smooth trails, hiking shoes or trail runners are sufficient. For
treks on rocky, rugged trails, boots will provide more support. Learn more about
choosing hiking clothing and footwear.
  

 Moisture-wicking underwear

 Moisture-wicking T-shirt

 Quick-drying pants/shorts

 Long-sleeve shirt (for sun, bugs)

 Lightweight fleece or jacket

 Boots or shoes suited to terrain

 Socks (synthetic or wool)

 Extra clothes * (beyond the minimum expectation)

Additional items for rainy and/or cold weather:

 Rainwear (jacket and pants)

 Long underwear

 Warm, insulated jacket or vest

 Fleece pants

 Gloves or mittens

 Warm hat

Optional:

 Bandana or Buff

 Gaiters (for rainy, snowy or muddy conditions)

 
  

Food & Water

Pack snacks like energy bars, jerky and nuts that you can eat easily on the trail. Some
people like to bring a sandwich for lunch, too. For water, you can usually start with
about two liters per person for the day, but adjust the amount depending on length and
intensity of the hike, weather conditions, your age, sweat rate and body type. Learn
more about choosing energy food and how much to drink.
 

 Water bottles and/or reservoir *

 Water filter/purifier or chemical treatment *

 Trail snacks

 Lunch

 Extra day's supply of food *

 
 

Navigation
Navigation is one of the Ten Essentials. The type of trip you’re taking and your personal
preferences will determine exactly which items you’ll bring.
 

 Map *

 Compass *

Optional:

 Route description or guidebook

 Altimeter watch *

 GPS *

 Satellite messenger/personal locator beacon *

 
 

Emergency & First Aid

 First-aid kit or first-aid supplies *(see First-Aid Checklist)

 Lighter/matches and firestarter *

 Emergency shelter *

 Whistle

 Two itineraries: 1 left with friend + 1 under car seat

 
 

Health & Hygiene

 Hand sanitizer

 Menstrual products

 Prescription medications
 Sun protection:

 Sunscreen *

 Sunglasses * (+ retainer leash)

 Sun hat *

 SPF-rated lip balm *

Optional:

 Insect repellent *

 Toilet paper

 Urinary products

 Sanitation trowel (if no toilets)

 Baby wipes

 Alcohol or antiseptic wipes

 Blister treatments

 
 

Tools & Repair Items

 Knife or multi-tool *

 Small gear-repair kit * (duct tape, zip ties, etc)

 
 
 Day Hiking Extras

 Headlamp or flashlight * (with extra batteries)

 Camera

 Interpretive field guide(s)

 Outdoor journal with pen/pencil

 Binoculars

 Two-way radios

 
 

Personal Items

 Credit card and/or cash

 ID

 Cellphone