How to Stay Warm on a Winter hike

How to Stay Warm on a Winter Hike

Winter can be a great time of year to hit the trails.

The crowds thin out, the air is crisp, waterfalls tend to be flowing, and on the right day, you can have an entire lookout to yourself. But while winter hiking can be magical, being cold certainly isn't.

A little planning can mean the difference between a comfortable day on the trail and spending the entire hike wishing you'd stayed in bed. Here are a few things we've learnt about staying warm while hiking during winter.

Dress in Layers

One of the biggest mistakes people make is dressing for the car park rather than the hike. It’s honestly an easy mistake to make, and one that we’ve made plenty of times ourselves. 

You might be freezing while you're standing around getting ready, but once you start climbing hills, you'll warm up surprisingly quickly. If you've piled on too many clothes, you'll soon find yourself overheating and sweating — and wet clothing becomes cold clothing the moment you stop moving.

Instead, dress in layers.

A good winter hiking system usually includes:

• A moisture-wicking base layer
• An insulating mid layer such as a fleece or puffer jacket
• A waterproof or windproof outer layer if needed

Layers allow you to adjust throughout the day as conditions change.

Don't Underestimate the Wind

Air temperature is only part of the story.

A sunny winter's day can feel surprisingly warm in a sheltered valley, only for a lookout or exposed ridgeline to leave you scrambling for your jacket.

Wind strips away body heat incredibly quickly, so always carry a windproof or waterproof jacket, even if the forecast looks promising.

Trust us — there's nothing quite like arriving at a spectacular lookout only to discover you can't feel your ears.

Keep Your Extremities Warm

Cold hands and feet can make an otherwise enjoyable hike miserable.

A beanie, gloves and a decent pair of socks don't weigh much, but they can make a huge difference to your comfort on the trail.

Even if you don't wear them for most of the hike, you'll probably be glad you packed them when you stop for lunch or arrive at an exposed lookout.

Pack More Warm Clothing Than You Think You'll Need

This is particularly important if you're hiking in the Blue Mountains, on exposed ridgelines, or heading somewhere remote.

If someone twists an ankle, the weather changes unexpectedly, or you simply decide to stop for longer than planned, extra warm clothing can quickly move from "nice to have" to "very important".

At a minimum, we always carry an extra warm layer in winter, even on shorter walks.

Stay Dry

Staying warm is often less about adding heat and more about avoiding losing it.

Sweat, rain, creek crossings and even sitting on damp ground can all leave you feeling cold surprisingly quickly.

Try to avoid hiking in cotton clothing, as it holds moisture and takes a long time to dry. Instead, choose synthetic or wool layers designed for outdoor activities.

And if you're stopping for lunch, a small sit mat or even an old foam camping mat can make sitting on cold, damp ground much more pleasant.

One of the things we’ve found to be the best at keeping us warm is those cheap plastic rain coats… The ones that ironically do basically nothing to keep you dry when it rains. What they also don’t do, is breathe — meaning that they trap most of your body heat. 

Keep Moving

Stopping for photos, snacks and admiring the view is all part of hiking — but if you're already feeling cold, standing still for long periods probably won't help.

A few minutes of walking is often enough to warm you up again.

On particularly cold mornings, we often start the hike feeling slightly chilly, knowing that the first hill will sort that problem out fairly quickly.

Take a Warm Drink

Few things taste better on a cold morning than a hot drink at a lookout.

A thermos filled with tea, coffee or hot chocolate can provide both warmth and a much-needed morale boost.

Bonus points if there's a view involved.

Of course, visiting a cafe for a warm drink afterwards is a good way to warm up after a cold hike!

Final Thoughts

Winter hiking can be incredibly rewarding. Some of our favourite days on the trail have been crisp winter mornings with clear skies and hardly another person around.

The key is to be prepared.

Dress in layers, carry a few extra warm items, and remember that it's much easier to take clothing off than it is to magically produce another jumper when the temperature drops.

Your future self at the windy lookout will thank you.