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.
GR20 Corsica in 16 stages: about 200 km, often above 2,000 m, 4-8 hours a day. Official walking times, refuge prices and the best weeks to go in 2026.
Read articleGood To-Go for taste, Peak Refuel on calories (5.7 kcal/g), Mountain House on shelf life. Freeze-dried backpacking meals ranked on weight and cost.
Read articleKyrgyzstan's Tian Shan offers world-class trekking with glacial lakes at 3,500 m and yurt camps from $35 a night. Here's how to plan your 2026 trip.
Read articleMuscle soreness peaks 24-48 hours after a long hike. Use these science-backed strategies — nutrition, sleep and active recovery — to bounce back faster.
Read articleWhat a base layer, mid layer and shell each do, how to choose them and when to add one: a complete hiking layering system in 750–900 g of clothing.
Read articleThe Via Transilvanica is Romania's 1,400 km trail through seven cultural regions — Europe's most exciting new long-distance hiking route of 2026.
Read articleGoing stoveless saves 350–500 g of packweight. The best no-cook backpacking foods for 2026, with calorie density, prep tips and a 3-day meal plan.
Read articleJapan's hiking trails range from the 1,700 km UNESCO Kumano Kodo pilgrimage to the Japan Alps. Here's how to plan your hike in Japan in 2026.
Read articleMobility training can help hikers lower their risk of overuse pain. Here are 10 targeted exercises for hikers that protect knees, hips and ankles on trail.
Read articleThe best camp shoes for backpacking weigh 160–280 g per pair and double as water-crossing footwear. Top picks for 2026 compared by weight, sole and cost.
Read articleThe West Highland Way is a 154 km route from Milngavie to Fort William. Complete 2026 guide with 8 stages, accommodation, essential kit and midge strategy.
Read articleMaking dehydrated backpacking meals at home costs $2–4 per serving vs $10–15 for commercial pouches. Here is how to start with a basic dehydrator and hit 100+ kcal per 100 g.
Read articleThe Laugavegur Trail is a 55 km route from Landmannalaugar to Þórsmörk through Iceland's highland interior. Full 2026 guide with hut booking, river crossings and gear list.
Read articleEffective altitude preparation combines aerobic base training, VO2 max intervals and progressive load work. Here is a complete 10-week plan for mountain trekkers in 2026.
Read articleThe best hiking mid-layer jackets of 2026: Arc'teryx Atom LT, Fjällräven Keb Fleece and Norrøna Trollveggen Thermal Pro compared, with verified weights.
Read articleThe Azores offer volcanic calderas, summit ascents and jungle gorges unlike anywhere else in Europe. Complete hiking guide for São Miguel, Pico and Flores in 2026.
Read articleThe best backpacking foods hit 120–200 kcal per 100 g. This calorie density guide shows which foods to pack for 4,000 kcal days at under 1 kg of food weight.
Read articleNorway's 5 best hikes compared: Trolltunga, Preikestolen, Kjeragbolten, Besseggen and Romsdalseggen — distance, difficulty, permits and best months.
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