Long Distance?
Long-distance is a relative term. For some, it means a 150 KMs, 2-week hike on a local trail. Others who define it as an around-the-world trek. For some, long-distance hikes consisted of 2,200 KMs (6 months) or 500 KMs (5 weeks). It doesn't matter how long your long-distance hikes are, the planning and preparation required are the same.
That's not to assume that people all approach the planning the same. Some (especially the young and foolish) wing it and do very little planning. They throw together some gear, arrange transportation to the trailhead and off they go, leaving the trail periodically to re-supply food. It works for them, but not always. Planning allows hikers to reduce the weight they have to carry, thus enjoying the hike to the max. Once you do the needed planning, once on the trail I go with the flow of nature.
Where to go?
The choices of the places that you want to hike in varies between:
- Enjoying tough and hard trails, thus challenging your capabilities, regardless of the beauty of the place.
- Enjoying the beauty of the place that you are hiking in, thus preferring easy or moderate trails.
- Having a combination of beauty of the place and the challenge...
Is my body ready for this?
Once you've decided on which trip to go, you should read well the details of the trip to know all the conditions and requirements in order not to be surprised...
What can I eat?
The secret to trail food is to find the lightest weight food that packs the greatest energy boost and is easy to prepare. Dried foods, dates, or chocolate bars can be good energy providers.
What else do I need?
Check our "How to Prepare" page