I like hiking, I’m not an expert but here are some things I Iearned.
Pack list
I prefer travelling as light as possible, carrying only the bare minimum; mostly applies to summer/spring/autumn hikes in Europe or similar climates:
- Flash light/head lamp
- Small microfiber towel
- Standard cotton sport socks, better than any woolen hiking socks, 2 pairs, can be washed when necessary
- underwear, 2 sets, can be washed when necessary
- Linen shirt, very breathable, dries as quickly as synthetic shirts and natural feel on skin, easy to wash
- Hat (depending on temperature)
- Hiking boots with ankle support (or trail running shoes if you trust your ability to catch yourself from a misstep, loose rock or slip)
- Running shorts (hot weather)
- Long trousers (e.g. Fjallraven Karl, water repellent ideally)
- Shirt for sleeping
- Fleece jacket (I like them with a hood for better sun cover, extra layer against wind/cold)
- Rain/wind jacket
- Light, energy-dense snacks (e.g. nuts)
- toothbrush+toothpaste
- plastic water bottle (3+ liters)
- binoculars (wildlife watching, best past time during breaks)
- map (paper or digital)
- sun glasses
- sun screen
- cash
- phone (for map or emergency)
- backpack
- biodegradable soap (for longer trips)
- gloves on cold days or high altitude
- scarf/loop
For day trips or refuge stays, this is all I like to take with me. No books, flipflops or other nice things to have once you arrived, but which I always regret during most of the day when I have to carry them.
If camping:
- sleeping bag (+inlet )
- camping mat
- tent
- gas cooker + gas
- lighter
- pot
- spork
- quickly boilable food, best if you mix them at home with your own spices, nuts, dried fruits and veg (e.g. couscous, oats)
In addition, you may carry some medication:
- Blister patches
- Ibuprofen
- any other personal meds
Hikes
Some hikes I’d love to do:
Some tours I enjoyed:
- Santa Cruz trail in Peru, wild camping
- Choquequirao (atajo)
- Berliner Höhenweg (Schönbichler Horn)
- Tour de Taillefer (patou)
- GR20 Corse (only the North, punaise)
- Cornwall Coast path, wild camping
- Jurassic Coast (Lizard point)
- Lake District, wild camping
- Hadrian’s Wall, wild camping
- Peak District, wild camping
- Pleisenspitze, Hohe Munde (ran out of water), and other day trips in the Alps
- North York Moors (Cleveland Way)
- Snowdonia
Links
Some other resources I found helpful: