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 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.
Read articleThe 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.
Read articleThe best hiking navigation apps compared — offline maps, GPX support, accuracy and battery use, with free and paid picks for every type of hiker.
Read articleMost 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.
Read articleThe best backpacking breakfasts deliver 400–600 calories at under 150 g dry weight. Compare overnight oats, freeze-dried meals and no-cook options.
Read articleBhutan charges $100/day SDF for foreign trekkers in 2026. Plan the Druk Path, Snowman Trek or Jhomolhari with this complete permit and logistics guide.
Read articleCore strength training reduces lower-back pain on multi-day hikes. An 8-week, 8-exercise programme builds trail-ready stability under a loaded pack.
Read articleThe 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.
Read articleTenerife'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.
Read articleA 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.
Read articleA 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.
Read articleAltitude 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.
Read articleVegan 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.
Read articleThe 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.
Read articleEccentric 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.
Read articleThe 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.
Read articleThe 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.
Read articleA 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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