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.
The list mostly applies to hikes during European summer, spring or autumn, or similar conditions:
- Small flash light/head lamp (or phone)
- Small microfiber towel
- Underwear, 2 sets, so one set can be washed when necessary
- Standard cotton sport socks, better than any woolen hiking socks, 2 pairs
- 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 on watch/phone)
- 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
- Biodegradable soap (hard, or if liquid in a small screw-top container)
- Dry bag(s) (or zippable plastic bags) to keep the most important things dry; I prefer dry bags over external backpack covers
For day trips or refuge stays, this is all I like to take with me.
No books, flipflops or other nice-to-haves, which I always regret carrying all day.
If camping:
- Sleeping bag (+ inlet)
- Camping mat
- Tent
- Gas cooker + gas
- Lighter/matches
- Pot
- Spork
- Dry, energy-dense, quickly boilable food, e.g. couscous or oats, best if you prepare it at home with your own supplements, spices, nuts, dried fruits & veg
In addition, you may want to bring a first-aid kit:
- Blister patches
- Ibuprofen
- Any other personal meds
Hikes
Some tours I enjoyed:
- Santa Cruz trail in Peru (wild camping, Punta Union pass at 4,750m)
- Choquequirao (atajo, Incan ruins)
- Berliner Höhenweg (Schönbichler Horn)
- Tour de Taillefer (“patou” sheep protection dogs, vultures)
- GR20 on Corsica (only the North, punaise)
- South West Coast Path (Cornwall), wild camping
- Jurassic Coast (Lizard point)
- Lake District (wild camping, The Apple Pie Cafe and Bakery in Ambleside, Grasmere Lake)
- Hadrian’s Wall (wild camping)
- Peak District (Kinder plateau, wild camping)
- Pleisenspitze, Hohe Munde (ran out of water), and other day trips in the Alps
- North York Moors (Cleveland Way)
- Eryri/Snowdonia (Yr Wyddfa/Snowdon)
Some hikes I’d love to do:
- Camí des Cavalls on Menorca
- GR54, Grand Tour des Écrins
- Tour de Mont Blanc
- Pyrenean Haute Route
Links
Some other resources I found helpful: