A beginner's guide to multi-day hiking

In September 2024, Komoot hosted their first Hiking Rally in the Peak District. Together, 62 people hiked 33 miles along a section of the Pennine Way – the oldest national trail in the UK – taking in Kinder Scout, swathes of Pennine moorland, and other upland scenery. 

The rally’s ultimate goal was to give more people the confidence and the skills needed to take on multi-day hikes. As part of this initiative, we partnered with not-for-profit organisation, All the Elements, and other community groups to support five people from underrepresented communities. And every participant had a bag of Firepot’s new healthy peanuts (launching Spring 2025) to snack on throughout the weekend. 

There are hundreds of long-distance trails throughout Britain. For inspiration, take a look through our Field Notes, and online at komoot.com/discover. In the meantime, a few tips for first-timers from three of the individuals we sponsored, Tanvi, Remy and Laura, and event organiser, Grace Wilson:

Start small

There’s no need to go wild on your first multi-day hike. Stay local or go somewhere familiar while you get used to being out on your feet for several days at a time. And if camping feels overwhelming, look up hostels and B&Bs as alternatives. If you want to try somewhere new, pick a route someone else has traced out for you so there are no big surprises and you know exactly what to expect — you’ll find lots of inspiration on Komoot. Take a good look at your route in advance too; there's peace of mind in knowing you could cut your hike short if you needed to, or take another route back.  

Test your kit 

Planning doesn’t just apply to routes, it’s important to get to know your kit too. Head out for a few practice runs so you know your bag is a manageable weight, and your hiking boots are worn in. Doing this will also mean you get a feel for any gaps in your kit list. Consider borrowing from someone or buying second hand until you know what works for you. Kit preferences change from person to person; you just need something that does the job, is comfy and keeps you dry. 

Identify your essentials

Being prepared for all weather is essential (especially in the UK). You never know when it might change, and you’ll never regret carrying an extra pair of dry socks. By the same token, don’t underestimate the power of snacks: a hot flask of tea and some good treats can really spur you on, even in the most uninspiring of weather! 

Find your tribe

Plenty of people are comfortable hiking on their own, but it is not for everyone. Ask a friend, join a community, or sign up to group events such as the Komoot Hiking Rally if you want to get some experience under your belt. (That way, you can share the weight of your camping and cooking gear too!) If you’re going for your first solo hike, just make sure you tell someone where you’re going, and share your route. 

Image credits: Sarah Hewitt