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Overestimating Your Hiking Ability? Here's How to Avoid It

We’ve all been there—feeling confident, excited, and ready to tackle a challenging trail. But overestimating your hiking ability can quickly turn a well-planned adventure into a frustrating ordeal. As a hiking guide with over 30 years of experience, I’ve seen it happen time and time again. The good news? Avoiding this common mistake is easier than you might think, with the right preparation and mindset.

Here’s how to stay within your limits while still enjoying an unforgettable hike.

1. Choose the Right Trail for Your Skill Level

One of the most important steps in avoiding overestimation is selecting a trail that matches your current fitness AND experience level. It’s easy to get swept up by the allure of a famous or difficult hike, but it’s crucial to understand that not all trails are suitable for everyone. Consider the distance, elevation gain, and terrain before committing to a hike. A 10-kilometre hike on flat ground is very different from 10 kilometres of steep, uneven terrain. I have found this particularly critical for me over the last few years as I introduce my kids to hiking - there is nothing worse than having walked a couple of hours with the little ones, only to discover they weren’t up to the task. They don’t enjoy it and take away bad memories making it harder to entice them back on the track next time.

You’ll also want to factor in weather conditions, altitude, and any other environmental aspects that could increase the difficulty. For instance, hiking at high altitude or in extreme temperatures can make even an "easy" trail feel much more difficult than expected.

Pro Tip: Before attempting a long or challenging hike, try shorter hikes on similar terrain to gauge your readiness. This will give you a better idea of what to expect and help prevent any unpleasant surprises.

2. Train for the Terrain

Hiking is a full-body workout, requiring strength, endurance, and stamina. While a shorter, flat walk might not need much preparation, more demanding trails will. To avoid pushing yourself too far, incorporate regular training into your routine. This doesn’t have to be complicated—just focus on building the strength and stamina needed for the type of hiking you plan to do.

For example, if your next hike involves a lot of uphill trekking, practice hill walks or stair climbing to prepare your legs for the incline. If the trail is particularly long, work on building your endurance by increasing the distance of your walks or adding some light trail running to your routine. If you’re unsure of where to start then I have created a 4 week training plan for all skill levels. You can download it at the end of this email.

Strength Training: Incorporate exercises that target your legs, core, and back, as these are the muscles most used during a hike. Squats, lunges, and deadlifts can all help build the strength necessary to support a loaded backpack on uneven ground.

3. Break Your Hike Into Manageable Sections

Even when you’ve trained, you’ll need to be strategic about how you approach a longer or more challenging hike. A good rule of thumb is to break the hike into manageable sections, with planned breaks in between. This allows you to monitor your energy levels and gives your body time to rest and recover throughout the day.

This approach is especially important if the hike has steep or technical sections that will require more energy and focus. Resting before and after these sections will keep you fresh and help prevent exhaustion or injury.

Pro Tip: Take along some energy-boosting snacks, like nuts or trail mix, and stay hydrated. Small, frequent snacks will keep your energy levels up and help avoid hitting the dreaded “wall” halfway through the hike.

4. Have a Backup Plan

You might feel strong and ready at the start of your hike, but fatigue can set in unexpectedly—especially if you overestimated how much ground you could cover. Always have a backup plan in case you need to cut your hike short. This might mean setting up camp early, choosing a route with alternate exit points or opting for a hike that loops back to the start so you can bail early if needed.

If you’re planning a multi-day hike, always plan for an easier campsite to stop at if you find yourself unable to reach your intended destination by the end of the day. Flexibility in your plans allows you to adjust based on how you're feeling and the conditions on the trail.

Pro Tip: Always carry a map and familiarise yourself with the trail ahead of time. This way, if you need to take a shortcut or divert to an alternate route, you’ll be prepared.

5. Know Your Limits

Hiking isn’t a competition—it's all about enjoying the outdoors at your own pace. Know your limits and listen to your body. If you’re starting to feel fatigued, don’t push yourself beyond what feels safe or comfortable.

Pushing too hard can lead to a range of problems, from sore muscles and blisters to dehydration, exhaustion, or worse. Always err on the side of caution, and don’t be afraid to turn back or cut your hike short if things aren’t going as planned.

6. Pack and Hydrate Accordingly

It’s easy to overlook the importance of proper hydration and nutrition, but it’s one of the biggest factors in maintaining your stamina on a hike. Underestimating how much water or food you need can leave you feeling sluggish and reduce your mental clarity, increasing the risk of accidents.

Make sure you have more than enough water for the hike, factoring in the temperature and difficulty of the trail. Consider using a hydration bladder for easy access while walking. When it comes to food, pack lightweight, calorie-dense snacks like energy bars, nuts, or dried fruit. Eating small amounts regularly will keep your energy levels up and prevent fatigue.

Pro Tip: Always bring a little bit of extra food and water, even on shorter hikes. Weather or trail conditions might change, causing delays, and you’ll want to be prepared for any situation.

7. Test Your Gear

Another aspect often underestimated is the importance of properly testing your gear. A hike can quickly go sideways if your gear doesn’t perform as expected. This includes everything from your hiking boots to your backpack and navigation tools.

Always test new gear before your hike, especially if you’re going on a multi-day or remote hike. Practice setting up your tent, cooking with your stove, or using any other equipment you might rely on during the trip. This way, if anything is faulty or unfamiliar, you’ll discover it before you’re out on the trail.

Final Thoughts

Overestimating your hiking ability can turn an exciting adventure into a stressful experience. The key to avoiding this is honest self-assessment, smart preparation, and a willingness to adjust plans as needed.

Choose trails that suit your current skill level, build your endurance through regular training, and always pack for contingencies. Hiking is about enjoying nature, not proving something, so take your time, listen to your body, and adjust your plans if things don’t go as expected. With these strategies, you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors without risking exhaustion or injury.

If you want to get fit for your next hike then click on the button below to download the hiking fitness plan:

THAT’S ALL FOR THIS WEEK

Thank you for reading Mowser’s Musings. I hope you found it helpful.

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Until next week.

Stay well,

Mowser

Helping hiking enthusiasts explore the great outdoors

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