10 Tips to Enhance Your Hiking Skills

The more you tackle uphill trails, the more proficient you'll become at climbing them. But what if hitting the trails daily isn't an option? Focus on improving your cardiovascular fitness in the gym or at home. Running, cycling, and brisk walking are excellent choices, or try any of these often-overlooked cardio activities. A stronger heart makes those hills much more manageable.

You need energy for a full day on the trails, and extra food is crucial in case you end up staying out longer than expected. Pack a range of snacks, including carbohydrates (raisins, candy, crackers), as well as fats and proteins to keep you satisfied (nuts, protein bars, or take a cue from our clever food writer Claire Lower and bring along a cheese board).

As we mentioned in our trail running guide, selecting the right shoes is crucial. While sneakers are fine for many trails, if you're facing rocky terrain all day, you might want something with a more rigid sole. Also, think about whether you need waterproof options or insulation (for cold, wet conditions), or something that dries quickly in case you need to cross a creek (a better choice in warmer weather).

You’ve been working on your cardio? Awesome. Now let’s turn our attention to your muscles. The stronger your legs are, the easier those uphill climbs will feel—and even more so on the downhills. (Ever experienced sore quads after a steep hike? Blame those descents.) Our advice on strength training for runners is also a great foundation for hikers, for all the same reasons.

Hills are as much about mental toughness as they are about physical endurance, and this is another area where we can borrow from advice for runners. Train on hills, embrace the fact that your pace may drop, and remind yourself that each hill you conquer makes you stronger—soon, you’ll start believing that your extra effort turns those hills into your superpower.

You definitely don’t want to be caught on a trail after dark without a flashlight, or atop a sunlit peak without sunscreen. REI’s 'ten essentials' provide a great checklist for planning your survival and safety gear. You can learn more here, but in short, the essentials are: a backup map or navigation tool; a headlamp; sun protection; a first aid kit; a knife; fire-starting tools; shelter, even if it’s just a space-blanket-style emergency bivvy; extra food; extra water; and extra clothing. (You can also check out our camping and hiking gear guide here.)

It's always wise to inform someone about your whereabouts and your expected return time. Additionally, in today's digital age, you can easily share your real-time location through apps like Strava beacon or by using the location-sharing feature in Google Maps.

If the thought of cramming all your survival gear into your old, worn-out daypack sounds like a hassle, it’s time to invest in a more suitable option. While short hikes may not require much gear, longer expeditions call for a high-quality backpack that can handle all your essentials with ease.

Simply setting off with a vague intention to 'follow the path' isn't always sufficient. Some trails, crafted by humans, may intersect with deer tracks or rockslides, making it difficult to distinguish them. There are also trails that might follow roads or power lines, which don't always appear as typical paths. This makes it vital to master the art of interpreting trail blazes in your area. While trail maps, signage, and park offices can guide you, the primary markers are often rectangular patches of paint on trees or sometimes rocks. A pair of blazes signifies a turn, so keep a sharp eye when approaching junctions.

Wearing the right clothing is crucial, which means layering your outfit and packing an extra rain jacket or poncho just in case, even if you think you won't need it. But if you're looking to truly indulge in comfort, consider packing an extra pair of dry socks. After getting sweaty or walking through a stream, that fresh pair of socks will feel absolutely divine on the return journey.