Hiking trail guides, gear reviews, packing tips and route planning advice. Everything you need to plan your next multi-day hike — from the HikeLoad team.
The Pacific Crest Trail runs 4,279 km from the Mexican border to Canada, crossing the Mojave Desert, Sierra Nevada and Cascades. This complete 2026 guide covers permits, gear, resupply, timing and everything you need to plan a successful thru-hike.
Read articleThe best offline hiking navigation apps — download maps and follow your GPX with no signal, compared on accuracy, battery use and price, with free picks.
Read articleGoPro Hero 13, Insta360 X5 and DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro each lead in a different hiking scenario in 2026. Here is how they compare on trail.
Read articleHikers over 50 need 1.2–1.6 g protein per kg daily, more frequent fuelling, and strategic calcium and vitamin D intake on multi-day trails.
Read articleTaking 2–3 g of EPA+DHA daily reduces exercise-induced inflammation and may cut delayed onset muscle soreness by up to 33% on back-to-back hiking days.
Read articleEthiopia's Simien Mountains: UNESCO World Heritage plateaus at 3,000–4,550 m, endemic gelada baboons and fewer than 15,000 trekkers per year worldwide.
Read articleAn 8-week hiking fitness plan builds trail-ready cardio, leg strength and pack tolerance with 3–4 sessions per week, peaking with a 25+ km hike in week 7.
Read articleSlovenia's Pohorje-Kozjak Trail opens June 2026: 174 km through northeastern forests and wine country near Maribor, taking most walkers 12–15 days.
Read articleGermany's E8 Long Distance Path crosses NRW and Rheinland-Pfalz through the Eifel, Rhine Valley and Europe's largest contiguous forest, the Pfälzerwald.
Read articleThe best softshell jackets for hiking in 2026 balance wind resistance and breathability. Here are 6 options compared by weight, price and use case.
Read articleSeven Yosemite trails ranked by distance and climb, from the 3-mile Mist Trail to Half Dome, plus which hikes need a permit in 2026 and which don't.
Read articleOlympic National Park has rainforest, alpine and Pacific coast trails in one park. No wilderness permit in 2026 — but campsites fill fast in summer.
Read articleVia ferrata requires three items: a ferrata set with energy absorber, a climbing harness and a certified helmet. This 2026 guide explains what to buy.
Read articleNight hiking opens up cooler temperatures and star-lit trails. This 2026 guide covers headlamp specs, beam modes and how to plan a safe hike after dark.
Read articleCarb loading for hikers, explained simply: how much, when, and what to eat before a big day or multi-day hike to keep your energy from crashing.
Read articleOmega-3 may help reduce inflammation and support joint recovery in active hikers. This 2026 guide covers EPA vs DHA, daily dosage and how to get omega-3 from backpacking food.
Read articleJordan Trail: 650 km through Wadi Rum and Petra. In 2026, the 5–7-day Wadi Rum to Petra section is the best starting point for first-time trekkers.
Read articleSleep loss reduces endurance and makes the same trail feel harder. This 2026 guide covers sleep systems, backcountry routines and recovery strategies for multi-day hikers.
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