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Hiking Guides, Trail Tips & Gear Reviews

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.

Trail Guides

Hiking the Picos de Europa Spain 2026: Best Trails, Routes and Complete Planning Guide

The Picos de Europa in northern Spain offers trails from the 12 km Ruta del Cares gorge walk to demanding summit routes in Spain's oldest national park.

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schedule 7 min read calendar_today 19 May 2026
Gear Tips

Best Hiking Pants of 2026: Lightweight, Stretch and Softshell Options Tested

The best hiking pants of 2026 weigh 150–290 g with 4-way stretch and DWR treatment. Compare Outdoor Research, Patagonia, Arc'teryx and Haglöfs options.

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schedule 7 min read calendar_today 19 May 2026
Gear Tips

Best Navigation Apps for Hiking 2026: AllTrails, Gaia GPS and Komoot Compared

The best hiking navigation apps compared — offline maps, GPX support, accuracy and battery use, with free and paid picks for every type of hiker.

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schedule 7 min read calendar_today 19 May 2026
Nutrition

How Much Water Should You Drink Hiking: The Complete Hydration Guide 2026

Most hikers need 0.5–1.5 litres of water per hour on trail. This complete 2026 hydration guide covers intake targets, water sources and filtration options.

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schedule 7 min read calendar_today 19 May 2026
Nutrition

Best Backpacking Breakfast Ideas 2026: High-Energy Morning Meals for Trail Days

The best backpacking breakfasts deliver 400–600 calories at under 150 g dry weight. Compare overnight oats, freeze-dried meals and no-cook options.

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schedule 7 min read calendar_today 19 May 2026
Travel Stories

Hiking in Bhutan 2026: Complete Guide to the Snowman Trek and Best Trails

Bhutan charges $100/day SDF for foreign trekkers in 2026. Plan the Druk Path, Snowman Trek or Jhomolhari with this complete permit and logistics guide.

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schedule 7 min read calendar_today 19 May 2026
Training & Fitness

Core Strength Training for Hikers 2026: 8 Exercises That Prevent Back Pain on Trail

Core strength training reduces lower-back pain on multi-day hikes. An 8-week, 8-exercise programme builds trail-ready stability under a loaded pack.

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schedule 7 min read calendar_today 19 May 2026
Trail Guides

Hiking the Rota Vicentina 2026: Complete Guide to Portugal's Wild Atlantic Coast Trail

The Rota Vicentina's 226 km Fishermen's Trail follows Portugal's wild Atlantic clifftops from Porto Covo to Sagres. Plan 11–14 days, hike March–May.

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schedule 8 min read calendar_today 19 May 2026
Trail Guides

Hiking in the Canary Islands 2026: Best Trails on Tenerife, La Palma and La Gomera

Tenerife's 3,715 m Mount Teide, La Palma's volcanic caldera and La Gomera's UNESCO laurel forests make the Canaries Europe's best year-round hiking destination.

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schedule 8 min read calendar_today 19 May 2026
Gear Tips

Backpacking Quilt vs Sleeping Bag 2026: How to Choose the Right Sleep System

A backpacking quilt saves 200–400 g over a comparable mummy bag. Find out which sleep system is right for your hiking style, conditions and sleep temperature.

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schedule 7 min read calendar_today 19 May 2026
Gear Tips

Ultralight Tarp vs Tent for Backpacking 2026: Which Shelter System Should You Choose?

A tarp weighs 100–300 g; an ultralight tent weighs 700–1,100 g. We break down exactly when each shelter makes sense for three-season and alpine backpacking in 2026.

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schedule 7 min read calendar_today 19 May 2026
Nutrition

How to Eat at Altitude: Managing Appetite Loss on Mountain Hikes 2026

Altitude suppresses appetite in 71% of hikers above 3,500 m. Here's what to eat, how to schedule meals, and which stoves work best for cooking above 3,000 m.

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schedule 7 min read calendar_today 19 May 2026
Nutrition

Vegan Backpacking Food 2026: High-Calorie Plant-Based Meals for Multi-Day Hikes

Vegan hikers can hit 2,500–3,500 kcal per day on trail using plant-based foods. Our complete 2026 guide to protein sources, calorie density and three-day meal plans.

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schedule 7 min read calendar_today 19 May 2026
Travel Stories

Hiking in the Scottish Highlands 2026: Ben Nevis, Glencoe and the Best Wild Routes

The Scottish Highlands offer legal wild camping, 282 Munros and permit-free access to Britain's most dramatic mountain terrain. Complete 2026 guide to Ben Nevis, Glencoe and Torridon.

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schedule 8 min read calendar_today 19 May 2026
Training & Fitness

Eccentric Leg Training for Hikers 2026: How to Bulletproof Your Knees for Descents

Eccentric leg training builds the downhill knee resilience that standard gym workouts miss. Our 4-week programme prepares quads, hamstrings and tendons for long alpine descents.

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schedule 7 min read calendar_today 19 May 2026
Trail Guides

Overland Track Tasmania 2026: Complete Hiking Guide to Australia's Greatest Walk

The Overland Track is a 65 km, six-day alpine walk in Tasmania. Permits cost AUD $295 and the daily quota of 60 walkers sells out fast.

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schedule 7 min read calendar_today 18 May 2026
Trail Guides

Via Dinarica 2026: How to Hike the Balkans' Greatest Long-Distance Trail

The Via Dinarica White Trail spans 1,200 km across six Balkan countries. Europe's most underrated long-distance route and one of 2026's top rising trails.

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schedule 7 min read calendar_today 18 May 2026
Gear Tips

How to Fit a Backpacking Pack in 2026: Step-by-Step Guide to Zero Back Pain

A properly fitted backpack transfers 80% of the load to your hips. Most hikers get this wrong and end up with shoulder pain. This guide fixes it.

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schedule 6 min read calendar_today 18 May 2026
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