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.
Seven long-distance trails you can hike without a tent in 2026: Ireland's Kerry Way, the Camino Francés, Everest Base Camp and more, with nightly costs.
Read articleThe Durston X-Mid 2 weighs 819 g in standard polyester and 544 g as the Pro. Full weight breakdown, real packed numbers and how it compares in 2026.
Read articleHalf Dome permits for 2026: how the March preseason lottery and two-day daily lottery work, real odds by month, costs ($10 + $10pp) and smart backup plans.
Read articleHow hard is Half Dome? Yosemite's big 23 km round trip climbs 1,460 m and ends on 120 m of steel cables at 45 degrees — a 10–14 hour day, rated honestly.
Read articleHalf Dome packing list for Yosemite's 23 km, 1,460 m day hike: 3–4 L of water, ~3,000 kcal, grippy shoes, gloves for the cables and real storm layers.
Read articleBest time to hike Half Dome in Yosemite, USA: cables are up late May–mid October; June and September are the sweet spots. Permits, storms and start times.
Read articleThe best hikes in Yosemite National Park, USA for 2026: Half Dome, Clouds Rest, the Mist Trail and more, ranked with distances, gain and permit notes.
Read articleThe best backpack for the Wicklow Way in Ireland: 20–50L picks from a 290 g running vest to a load-hauling Osprey, matched to the 129 km inn-to-inn walk.
Read articleWicklow Way itinerary for Ireland's 129 km trail: full 5, 6 and 7-day stage plans with distances, ascent, B&B stops and where to shorten the long days.
Read articleHow difficult is the Wicklow Way? Ireland's 129 km trail is moderate — 3,200 m of ascent and three genuinely tough moments if you rush it into five days.
Read articleWicklow Way packing list for Ireland's 129 km trail: a complete 6–8 kg B&B kit with rain shell, 35L pack and footwear that handles Wicklow bog and granite.
Read articleBest time to walk the Wicklow Way in Ireland: April–June and September beat midsummer. Rainfall, daylight and trail-condition data for the full 129 km.
Read articleKerry Way vs Wicklow Way: Ireland's two classic long walks compared on distance (214 vs 129 km), scenery, cost and logistics — and which to walk first.
Read articleHow difficult is the Kerry Way? Ireland's 214 km loop climbs ~4,600 m total yet stays below 400 m altitude — a stage-by-stage rating plus training plan.
Read articleKerry Way packing list for Ireland's 214 km loop: rain layers, footwear for bog, a 35–50L pack and a B&B-friendly kit under 8 kg base weight, item by item.
Read articleBest time to hike the Kerry Way in Ireland: late May to mid-June and September win — rainfall, daylight and crowd data for every stage of the 214 km loop.
Read articleThe best multi-day hikes in the UK and Ireland for 2026: Kerry Way (214 km), Wicklow Way, Hadrian's Wall and more, compared on distance and difficulty.
Read articleBest gear for the Enchantments Traverse 2026: tested packs, traction and layers for the 18-mile Washington route over 7,800-ft Aasgard, day or overnight.
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