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(Photo: Zoe Gates)
By many accounts, hiking season ends when Daylight Savings Time does. Even for adventurers who embrace cold temps and snowy excursions, it’s just plain harder to hit the trail in winter, when after-work hikes require a headlamp and an extra dose of motivation. But long nights don’t have to take all the joy out of being a hiker.
Need a little inspiration to keep getting out there, or at least dreaming of the trail during the dark days of winter? We created a bingo card with our favorite activities to get through (and even enjoy) the Big Dark. Think of it like your winter bucket list; go for five in a row, or try them all. Summer hiking season will be back before you know it—but with a to-do list like this, there’s no need to rush it.
Long nights may feel like a drag for enjoying nature, but they’re great for one thing: appreciating celestial beauty above. Certain astronomical sights reach their peaks in winter, and long, cold nights make for exceptionally clear viewing. Add a night of stargazing at one of our favorite dark sky destinations to your winter to-do list, but first, brush up on these tips for a successful night sky safari.
If the warmth and comfort of the indoors call to you in winter more than the trail, you can still keep the hiking spirit alive with some trail-themed crafts. Personalize your backpacking kit with a DIY project or two, like a hand-sewn stuff sack or customized ultralight sandals. Looking for an even bigger project? Hone your sewing skills and design your own ultralight backpack.
To get the most out of days on the trail and protect your body against injuries, it’s a good idea to hit the gym all year long. Not sure where to start? In our online course 6 Weeks to Trail Fit, coach and guide Jason Antin walks hikers through a progression focused on strength and endurance, no matter what fitness level you’re starting from. Keep it up all winter long, and you’ll be feeling better than ever on long hikes next summer.
This wouldn’t be a winter bucket list if it didn’t include a winter hike. If you’re ready to take it to the next level, sleep outside.
Books have the power to transport you to the top of the world’s greatest summits from the comfort of your living room. Our list of the 50 best hiking books of all time will get you through the longest, darkest of winters. Hitting these pages is the next best thing to hitting the trails.
In addition to getting stronger, increasing your range of motion can help injury-proof your body. Build a stretching and exercise routine now, and feel at your best for hikes to come. Here are five of our favorite mobility exercises for hikers.
It’s never too early to start getting ready for the next camping season, especially when it comes to meal planning. With a little forethought, you’ll never make a last-minute run to the freeze-dried aisle of your local outfitter on the way to the trailhead. Spend the off-season cooking and dehydrating your own backpacking meals with our how-to guide. Experiment with your favorite meals, tweak your recipes, and get ready to eat better than you ever have on the trail next summer.
What’s the off-season for if not dreaming about all of the adventures that await you in the future? Turn those dreams into reality by breaking out the map, scouting routes and campsites, and putting in the logistical legwork. Your future self will thank you. Looking to plan your first backpacking trip? Start here. Ready to finally take the plunge on that bucket list adventure? Read our planning guide.
In certain parts of the country, trail stewardship organizations are busy all year maintaining your favorite hiking paths. Joining a work party is a great way to pitch in and get out of the house even if the weather doesn’t inspire a big summit day. If your local trail crews are on hold for the season, plan ahead by signing up for a volunteer day down the line, and make sure you’re prepared.
If it’s too cold to hike, consider becoming an armchair naturalist from the comfort of home. Research the plants and trees in your area so you can see the trail with new eyes next season. Better yet, take in nature around your house by learning to identify birds in your region. Make a list and see if you can spot them all by spring.
Stuck inside? Might as well make inside look great. If your gear closet has seen better days, there’s no better time to give it a makeover. Sort your gear into bins or racks and get rid of hole-ridden hiking socks, and packing for your next trip will be a breeze. Need some inspiration? Take a tour of our editor-in-chief’s gear loft.
While the trails are frozen over, you can hike vicariously through the silver screen. We rounded up our favorite outdoor films (from awesomely inspiring to hilariously bad). Pop some popcorn and get lost in the adventure—no blisters required.
Your gear stinks. Do yourself and your future tentmates a favor by giving your kit a makeover: These are our best tips on washing your sleeping bag, puffy jacket, and waterproof layers. Bonus: Storing your gear clean will help it last longer and perform better.
There’s nothing better than a warm soak after a cold winter hike. You could hit the spa on your way home, but better yet, hike to the spa itself. A natural spa, that is. Here are a few of our favorite hot spring hikes for soaking all year.
Winter is as good a time as any to give your well-loved hiking gear some TLC. Repairing your own gear can save you money, improve your in-the-field troubleshooting skills, and is a great way to while away long evenings indoors. Here’s how to get started.
No snow in your neck of the woods? Hiking in the rain gets a bad rap, but embracing wet, muddy trails can lead to a whole new perspective. Throw on your best waterproof layers, pack a Thermos of hot chocolate, and jump in a puddle or two. But first, read up on our best tips for hiking in the rain.
Brush up on your skills, and you’ll be able to make the most of every trip once backpacking season comes back around. Knot-tying is the perfect skill to practice inside. These are the five knots we deem essential for any backpacker to master.
Winter is a great time to brush up on your emergency skills with a first aid course or just make sure your supplies are in order. Take some time to restock your first aid kit with any supplies you’ve used up over the past season, or build a custom kit from scratch.
Winter camping doesn’t have to be all about suffering. In fact, hiking can be cozy all year round. We dove deep into the Danish art of hygge, a.k.a. that feeling comfort you get donning your warmest socks around the fire with your hiking buddies. Learn how to make your next outdoor adventure cozy as can be with our guide to hygge hiking.
Deep snow may make the trail inaccessible, but it opens up a world of opportunity for outdoor play. Knowing how to construct a snow shelter could save your hide in a survival situation—but they’re also just fun. Build one in your yard or on your next hike, and if you’re feeling adventurous, spend the night.
We may be biased, but the next best thing to having a grand adventure is reading about one. We rounded up the 45 best adventure stories we’ve ever published. Read two per week, and the trails will be thawed by the time you finish the entire list.
Swap your boots for snowshoes, skis, or skates and get a whole new perspective on the outdoors in winter. You may find that you stop pining for summer hiking altogether.
If it’s going to be dark, you may as well embrace it. Night hiking can be intimidating, but it’s a chance to connect with nature in a new way, and move your body even when the days are too short for daylight hikes. Charge up your headlamp, layer up, and hit the trail.
Whether you’re huddled around a fire at your campsite, in your backyard, or simply beside your living room hearth, nothing quite caps off a day enjoying nature like a toasted marshmallow. Fire up some s’mores and relish that warm fuzzy feeling, no matter how many miles you’ve logged.