How to Plan a Hiking Holiday

How to Plan a Hiking Holiday

There's something exciting about loading up the car, pointing it towards a new destination and knowing the next week is going to be spent exploring somewhere different every day. But after enough hiking holidays, we've learnt that the best trips aren't always the ones where you squeeze in the most kilometres. They're the ones that leave enough room to actually enjoy the places you've travelled so far to see.

Whether you're heading away for a long weekend or spending a couple of weeks on the road, here are a few things we've found make a hiking holiday a whole lot more enjoyable.

Have a Rough Plan Before You Leave

You don't need to schedule every minute of every day, but it's worth knowing which hikes you want to do and when they're likely to be at their best.

A mountain with sweeping western views might be perfect for sunset. A waterfall is often at its best after rain. Some walks are far more enjoyable before the afternoon heat sets in.

A little planning beforehand means you're spending your holiday exploring rather than sitting in the car wondering what else is nearby that might be worth visiting.

Stay Flexible

Of course, even the best-laid plans can fall apart. You can’t possibly schedule things like inclement weather or accidental injury weeks or even months in advance. (Although if you can, give us a call, we’d love some tips).

If heavy rain rolls in, it might be the perfect opportunity to visit that waterfall you originally planned for tomorrow. If low cloud hides the views from a summit, swap it for a rainforest walk and come back when the weather improves.

Some of our favourite hiking days have happened because we abandoned the original plan and adapted to whatever conditions we found. Which is why tip one is so important. Having a plan, and knowing what else is nearby, makes it much easier to adapt when conditions change. 

Don't Forget to Schedule Rest Days

It's easy to get caught up trying to fit in "just one more hike." After all, you came all this way and you don’t want to waste a minute… But, after several days of walking, driving and setting up camp, your body appreciates a chance to slow down.

A rest day doesn't have to mean doing nothing. Explore a country town, visit a local café, wander through a botanic garden, or simply enjoy sleeping in before an easy afternoon.

By the following morning, you'll be surprised how much more energy you have.

Fuel Yourself Properly

When you're hiking day after day, your body needs more than a muesli bar and good intentions.

Pack plenty of snacks, eat proper meals and don't forget to stay hydrated throughout the day. A week of hiking burns far more energy than a normal week at home, and you'll enjoy every trail a lot more if you're properly fuelled.

Make Camp Comfortable

If you're camping every night, remember that your campsite becomes your home for the duration of your holiday.

A few small comforts can make a surprisingly big difference. A comfortable mat over the tent floor, a string of fairy lights, your favourite camp chair, or even watching a movie from your sleeping bag after dinner can turn an ordinary campsite into somewhere you genuinely look forward to returning to each evening.

And if your budget allows, consider booking a motel or hotel halfway through the trip.

After several nights in a tent, a hot shower, air conditioning and a proper bed can feel like absolute luxury. Sometimes that's everything you need to hit that reset button before hitting the trails again. 

Pack More Socks Than You Think You'll Need

Trust us on this one.

If your boots get soaked during a storm, dry socks can completely change how comfortable the rest of your day feels — even if the boots themselves are still damp.

And after spending hours on the trail, changing into a fresh pair of socks is one of those small things that somehow feels far more satisfying than it should.

Take an extra pair or two on the trails, keep more back at your tent or accommodation. 

Also bring along a spare pair of hiking boots or trail runners. If one pair gets wet, it's much better to let them dry properly than spend the next few days walking around in damp footwear.  

Remember, on a hiking holiday it’s your feet that’s doing most of the work. So they deserve a little extra love, a clean pair of socks, and dry boots. 

Develop a Packing System

Packing the car is easy on day one.

By day three, after you've unpacked and repacked everything multiple times, it somehow feels like you've accumulated twice as much gear — even if you’re not camping.

Give everything a home and try to pack it the same way every time. Not only will you spend less time searching for things, but you'll also avoid the mental stress of everything spilling out the moment you open a door, or still being able to see out of your rear vision mirror.

Accept That You Won't See Everything

Every hiking destination has more trails than you'll have time to explore.

Rather than rushing from one trailhead to the next trying to tick every box, leave yourself time to enjoy the places you're already visiting. Sit beside the waterfall for a while. Stay on the summit a little longer. Stop at that lookout you weren't planning on.

There's always another trail to come back for.

Sometimes leaving a few walks unexplored is the best excuse to plan your next hiking holiday.