Stories & Guides

The matter of how much weight your hiking backpack should ideally have is not to be taken lightly. After all, once your back starts aching and your legs are slowly starting to give way, even the most enjoyable hike becomes a pain – literally. So whether you’re exploring the outdoors just for the day or embarking on a trekking tour spanning several days: we’ve got all the info you need to determine the right backpack weight for you, including handy tips on how to reduce it even further.

Whether you’re heading out for a day trip or embarking on a tour spanning several days, whether you happen to get stuck in a thunderstorm or missed a turn, your backpack’s got your back – assuming you’ve packed all the right things. If you have your essential gear with you, you’ll make it through every adventure, however planned or unplanned. As the saying goes: Take as little as possible, and as much as you need. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the top 10 hiking essentials you should always take with you.

For the last 50 years the Kinder Mountain Rescue Team has been helping climbers, hikers and fair-weather walkers enjoy the spectacular splendour of Kinder Scout in the Peak District, assisting with everything from rolled ankles to full-on late-night rescue missions.

A recently uncovered ancient pilgrimage route offers the opportunity to rediscover what it means to walk with intention. Writer Oliver Smith headed out with The British Pilgrimage Trust’s Dawn Champion to find out more about the organization’s work, its ‘bring your own belief’ philosophy, and the nature and history along The Old Way route from England’s South Downs National Park to Canterbury cathedral.