Hiking Checklist (Day Trip)

Table of Contents

Introduction

With this article, I’m starting a new series where I publish checklists for various activities and situations. This will be anything from hiking, camping, travel, bikepacking, new city checklist and more. These checklists have been in use for years - I’ve written, used and refined them personally and with help of others. They are designed to be plug-and-play, so you can just copy and paste them into your own notes or documents, with minimal changes.

This one is for a day hike, which means that you will be out for a day, but not overnight. For this reason, the checklist skips the overnight gear; also the stove and cooking gear, as typically you don’t cook on a day hike, but rather take food that is ready to eat - or eat after the hike.

I’ve used this checklist on many hikes across the world, from Swiss Alps, to the mountains of Georgia and Norway, to Spain, Finland and many more. It has been tested in various weather conditions, from sunny to rainy, snowy and windy. It is designed to be flexible and adaptable to different terrains and weather conditions.

Checklist

1. Hiking boots or shoes (terrain-appropriate)
2. Backpack (15-30 L is sufficient for a day hike)
3. Cash, ID, keys, documentation (if needed)
4. Navigation means (map, compass, GPS, or phone) - route stored offline
5. First aid kit, hand sanitizer, wipes
6. Power bank (fully charged) and charger cables
7. Rain poncho or jacket
8. Extra clothes (depending on the weather, e.g. a light jacket, fleece, or an extra layer) - especially for the mountains
9. Bright piece of cloth (for signaling or marking) - some backpacks have a built-in one
10. Water, at least 1 L per person
11. Snacks of choice (nuts, energy bars, fruit, etc.)
12. Food (lunch, sandwiches, etc.)
13. Knife (should be fit for chopping wood in case of emergency fire preparation)
14. Lighter, matches and some form of kindling (for emergencies, should be waterproofed)

Extras (Summer)

1. Sunscreen (also take it if there is snow in the mountains)
2. Sunglasses
3. Hat or cap
4. Insect repellent
5. Swimwear (if applicable)

Extras (Winter)

1. Warm hat
2. Gloves
3. Winter jacket
4. Headlamp or flashlight
5. Crampons or microspikes (if applicable)
6. Hand warmers
7. Additional warm clothes (thermal layers, etc.)

Conclusion

This checklist is a starting point for your day hikes - use it as a base and modify it to your needs.

If you have any suggestions or additions, please let me know in the comments below. I will be happy to update the checklist with your input.

Best of luck on your hikes, and stay safe!