Hiking & Trails
9 guides
How to Start Hiking: A Complete Beginner's Guide
Ready to hit the trail? This beginner hiking guide covers footwear, gear, pacing, trail etiquette, and how to build distance safely from your very first hike.
July 2, 2026
How to Hike With Kids and Keep It Fun
Practical family hiking tips for picking the right trail, packing smart, keeping kids engaged, and staying safe on the trail with toddlers and young children.
July 1, 2026
Your First Overnight Backpacking Trip: How to Prepare
Planning your first backpacking trip? This beginner guide covers route selection, gear, food, water, permits, and what to expect on your first night out.
June 30, 2026
How to Pick a Beginner-Friendly Hiking Trail
Learn how to choose a hiking trail as a beginner: distance, elevation, difficulty ratings, useful apps, and how to match a trail to your fitness.
June 24, 2026
How to Pace Yourself and Build Hiking Endurance
Learn how to pace yourself on trail and build hiking endurance as a beginner with practical tips on effort, training, and smart trail choices.
June 20, 2026
Do You Need Trekking Poles? A Beginner's Guide
Trekking poles reduce knee strain, improve balance, and help with stream crossings. Here's when they're worth it and how to choose your first pair.
June 18, 2026
How to Read a Trail: Difficulty, Distance, and Elevation
Learn how to read a trail map, understand difficulty ratings, and estimate hiking time so you can pick the right trail for your fitness level.
June 15, 2026
How to Choose Hiking Boots and Shoes
A beginner's plain-English guide to picking the right hiking footwear: boots vs trail runners, waterproofing tradeoffs, fit tips, and break-in basics.
June 11, 2026
What to Bring on a Day Hike: The Ten Essentials
A practical day hike packing list built around the Ten Essentials. Know what to carry, why each item matters, and how to scale your kit by trip length.
June 7, 2026