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.
Living on flat terrain is no barrier to mountain fitness. These stair, incline and loaded-carry workouts build trail-ready legs and lungs for 2026.
Read articleIsle of Skye delivers Scotland's most dramatic hiking — Cuillin scrambles, Quiraing plateaus and fairy-tale waterfalls — all within one compact island.
Read articleAustria's alpine network links Grossglockner (3,798 m), the Stubai circuit and hut-to-hut routes — one of Europe's most rewarding hiking destinations.
Read articleThe best hiking sandals compared on weight, grip and comfort — top picks for trails, water crossings and camp, plus who each pair suits.
Read articleAn emergency bivvy can save your life when weather turns fast on a remote trail. Six models compared by weight, warmth and breathability for 2026.
Read articleFat adaptation benefits ultra-distance hikers on moderate terrain, but research shows clear trade-offs on steep climbs. What the 2026 science says.
Read articleThe best hiking energy bars hit 400+ kcal per 100 g, require no refrigeration and hold together in heat. Ten bars tested and ranked for 2026.
Read articleThe Manaslu Circuit covers 177 km around Nepal's eighth-highest peak, crossing the 5,106 m Larkya La — with far fewer trekkers than Annapurna.
Read articleSwimming builds aerobic base and VO2 max without joint stress — making it ideal cross-training for hikers preparing for long mountain days.
Read articleThe GR-226 is Mallorca's newest long-distance trail: 4 coastal stages totalling ~97 km through the Llevant region, completed in January 2026.
Read articleThe Cape Wrath Trail is ~400 km of wild, unwaymarked walking from Fort William to Cape Wrath lighthouse — Britain's most remote long-distance route.
Read articleThe best sleeping bag liners add 2–7°C of warmth for as little as 75 g — far less weight than buying a warmer sleeping bag.
Read articleRegular care for hiking gear — boots, tents, rain jackets, sleeping bags — prevents early failure and saves hundreds of pounds in replacement costs.
Read articleWomen hikers need 18 mg of iron daily — more than double the male requirement — and face a higher risk of RED-S and hyponatremia on long trails.
Read articleFirst-time multi-day hikers should target 400–600 g of food per day at minimum 4 kcal/g — here's exactly what to pack and why.
Read articleJebel Shams at 3,009 m is Oman's highest peak and home to the Balcony Walk, an 8 km trail above the Grand Canyon of Arabia.
Read articleHIIT improves VO2max 9% more than steady-state training in equal time — making it one of the most efficient tools in a hiker's training plan.
Read articleHadrian's Wall Path is a 135 km national trail from Wallsend to Bowness-on-Solway. This 2026 guide covers stages, costs and what to pack.
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