Winter Hiking Tips
Most people love to go hiking in the spring and summer when the weather is nice, the trees and plants are blooming, and there is little worry of accessibility to trails and tracks. If you like a little more adventure when you go hiking, you might consider taking a winter hiking trip. A family winter hiking trip can be a lot of fun.
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Whether you are hiking with the kids or with other adults, there are a lot of things to consider before you go winter hiking. When carefully planned, you can have a lot of fun on a winter hiking trip. Use these winter hiking tips to help make your next trip a successful adventure!
Clothing / Accessories
Before you leave on any hiking trip you should always make sure you are dressed appropriately and have the necessary accessories. This will change from trip to trip depending on the length of your hike and your overall trip plans. Keep in mind that during the winter forgetting something can be dangerous. Check and double check that you have everything before you leave!
- Extra layers during the winter are a must. You want to be able to keep yourself at a comfortable temperature. If you dress in layers you can easily add and remove layers to avoid being sweaty or too cold.
- Footwear is exceptionally important in the winter; wearing insulated boots and socks are great. Consider adding some spikes for additional traction.
- If there will be snow and ice on the ground you will need additional grip from shoe spikes and possibly even poles to help keep you stable. Consider adding these things to your pack when hiking in the winter months!
Hydration
Even though you want to avoid sweating while hiking in the winter you still need to stay hydrated. Proper hydration aids in your body’s ability to regulate its temperature. You want to make sure that you drink plenty of fluids while hiking.
- Pack a beverage with extra nutrients or electrolytes. This will help keep you hydrated and it will also freeze less quickly!
- Consider packing your beverages in insulated thermos type containers to aid in their staying at a desirable temperature!
- Remember that snacks will freeze. Chop up bars and candy to make the pieces edible when you want them. If they’re a frozen solid mass they won’t be very useful to you when you need some energy!
Safety First
Winter is a terrible time to do some serious hiking if you are not familiar with the territory.
- Make sure you have an accurate map, a GPS, or some good directions. You can easily get lost when everything is white and looking the same. Most trails are maintained but some can get a little overgrown or cluttered with fallen branches, etc. during the winter.
- Be careful and alert. Never hike alone at night in an unfamiliar space; this is especially important during the winter where getting lost at night might also mean freezing to death!
- Take a Buddy. Hiking in the winter can be a little bit overwhelming. Instead of heading out on your own, take a buddy along for company and for safety reasons.
- Make sure your cellphone is charged and stored somewhere insulated and warm to avoid battery drain in case you should become stranded. In the case of accident or injury your partner can get help! It is always better to be safe rather than sorry when it comes to winter hiking!
These 10 winter hiking tips are great for all ages. Even when it’s cold outside, you can get outdoors and have fun with friends and family. For some of our favorite hiking and family fun gear, check out our store on Amazon.
Where do you like to go hiking in the winter? What is your favorite part about winter hiking?
To me the biggest tip is to have good footwear. If you don’t it can turn a beautiful hike into misery. I have gotten out this winter more than ever before. More people need to enjoy the great outdoors in winter. There is such beauty. Thanks for sharing at #LetsGetRealSocial link party.
Super helpful hints you’ve come up with. I especially love the “chop your snacks” idea! 😉 I hiked in Montana a few years ago. We had a lot of fun. We were there in June for a cycling event and a snow storm showed up. Luckily the snow melted before we had to ride in it. But we did hike where there was snow on the ground.
Brilliant post. I love exploring in summer but I become very lazy in winter 😉
What an awesome way to explain this-now I know evirtyheng!
Thanks for sharing these winter hiking tips with us, I was actually looking for same. I am actually planning for hiking in Uttarakhand, India.
Great tips! I’ve always been a warm-weather hiker, but these winter ones sound fun. Like the layer advice—so practical. I once forgot my hat in summer and had a miserable time. In winter, that’d be way worse! How do you decide which extra layer is best for a specific winter hike?