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.
HIIT produces larger VO2max gains than moderate continuous training in pooled research — 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.
Read articleThe Lycian Way is a 540 km coastal trail in southwest Turkey rated one of the world's ten best walks. Here's how to plan your 2026 trip.
Read articleThe best fleece jackets for hiking, compared on warmth and weight — top picks for every budget, who each one suits, and lighter alternatives.
Read articleYes — legacy DWR used PFAS, banned in EU outdoor textiles since 2026. Which brands avoid harmful chemicals, and how the PFAS-free kit performs.
Read articleRhodiola rosea can cut perceived exertion during endurance exercise. Here's what the science says about adaptogens for hiking performance in 2026.
Read articleHydrolysed collagen with vitamin C, taken about 60 minutes before activity, doubled a collagen synthesis marker in a 2017 randomised crossover trial. Here is how to use it correctly.
Read articleTaiwan has 268 peaks above 3,000 m and one of Asia's best trail networks. This 2026 guide covers Yushan, Taroko Gorge, permits and when to plan your trip.
Read articlePolarized training — 80% easy, 20% hard — outperforms all other endurance models per a 2014 Frontiers in Physiology study. Here's how hikers apply it.
Read articleMatch your backpack volume to trip length: 20–30L for overnights, 35–50L for 3–5 day trips, 55–65L for week-long expeditions. Full breakdown inside.
Read articleCreatine monohydrate improves steep-uphill power, reduces muscle damage on multi-day hikes and costs around $5 per month. Here's what the evidence shows.
Read articleDark chocolate, tart cherries, walnuts and turmeric-with-pepper are the best trail-friendly anti-inflammatory foods to reduce DOMS and speed recovery.
Read articleFinland has 40 national parks, all free to enter. The Karhunkierros Bear Trail (80 km, 5–7 days) is the flagship route, with midnight sun June–July.
Read articleWeak hip flexors cause uphill fatigue, anterior pelvic tilt and IT band pain. Six targeted exercises fix the deficit in 8–12 weeks of 2x/week training.
Read articleThe Great Glen Way is a 127 km waymarked trail from Fort William to Inverness. Complete in 5–8 days, no permit needed, best walked May–September.
Read articleDurmitor's 5 best hikes: Bobotov Kuk (2,523 m), 48 glacial lakes and Tara Canyon from Žabljak. Entry €3/day, best June–September.
Read articleThe best new backpacking gear releases of 2026 include packs built with Aluula fabric under 550 g and sleeping pads with R-6.5 at a lighter weight.
Read articleThe South West Coast Path is England's longest National Trail at 630 miles. This 2026 guide covers stages, best sections, kit and costs.
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