What to Take on a Day Hike: The Essential UK Packing List
Heading out for a day hike shouldn't require enough equipment for an expedition. But there's a big difference between carrying everything you might possibly need and setting off with nothing more than your phone and a bottle of water.
The trick is finding the sensible middle ground.
For a straightforward walk close to civilisation, your kit requirements may be fairly minimal. Head into the hills, however, and changing weather, difficult terrain or simply taking longer than expected can turn seemingly unnecessary items into extremely useful ones.
So, what should you actually take on a day hike in the UK?
Here's our practical guide to packing the things you're likely to need – without filling your rucksack with things you probably won't.
Start With the Walk, Not the Packing List
There isn't one perfect packing list for every walk. A five-mile stroll along well-marked footpaths on a pleasant summer afternoon is very different from spending eight hours walking across exposed hills in the Lake District.
Before packing, consider:
- How far are you walking?
- How difficult is the terrain?
- How remote is the route?
- What's the weather forecast?
- How quickly could the weather change?
- What time will you finish?
- Are there places to refill water or buy food?
- Are you walking alone?
- What happens if the walk takes several hours longer than planned?
The further you travel from roads, buildings and other people, the more self-sufficient you need to become. Check the weather before leaving and make sure somebody knows where you're going, particularly when walking alone or heading somewhere remote.
1. Carry Enough Water
Water is one of the most important things in your rucksack, yet it's surprisingly easy to underestimate how much you'll drink.
How much you need depends on the temperature, distance, terrain and how hard you're working. A steep climb on a hot August afternoon is obviously going to require more water than a gentle walk on a cool October morning. Don't rely entirely on finding somewhere to buy a drink along the way.
It's also worth remembering that streams and other natural water sources shouldn't automatically be assumed to be safe to drink from. If your route relies on natural water sources, carrying an appropriate water filter or purification system gives you another option.
On particularly warm days, start properly hydrated and drink regularly rather than waiting until you're extremely thirsty.
2. Take Food – Plus Something Extra
For a short walk you might need little more than a snack. For a full day's hiking, take enough food to keep your energy levels up. Sandwiches, fruit, nuts, cereal bars and similar foods are perfectly adequate. There's no need for specialist expedition food on an ordinary day hike.
It's also sensible to carry a small amount of emergency food that you don't intend to eat unless you need it. A couple of energy bars or another calorie-dense snack weigh very little but could be extremely welcome if you get lost, somebody becomes injured or your six-hour walk unexpectedly becomes a ten-hour one.
3. Pack a Waterproof Jacket – Even When Rain Isn't Forecast
If you've spent much time outdoors in Britain, this probably doesn't need explaining. Weather forecasts are extremely useful, but they're forecasts rather than guarantees.
Conditions can also be very different on exposed hills compared with those where you started your journey. A lightweight waterproof jacket takes up relatively little room in a rucksack and provides protection against both rain and wind.
For longer walks or particularly wet forecasts, waterproof overtrousers may also be worth carrying. And don't assume waterproofs are only necessary in winter. Getting soaked on an exposed hillside can become uncomfortable very quickly, even during summer.
4. Carry an Extra Clothing Layer
One of the easiest mistakes to make is dressing purely for the conditions at the start of your walk. You leave the car park in sunshine feeling warm and assume you'll stay that way. But conditions change. Temperature generally decreases as you gain height, wind can make it feel considerably colder, clouds can arrive and you may stop moving for longer than expected. This is why layering works so well for outdoor activities.
A typical system might include:
Base layer – worn next to the skin to help manage moisture.
Mid layer – provides additional insulation when required.
Outer layer – protects against wind and rain.
You don't necessarily need to wear everything from the beginning. Carrying an additional lightweight layer means you can adapt as conditions change. Even in summer, having something warmer available can be a very sensible precaution.
5. Don't Forget Sun Protection
The fact that you're walking in Britain doesn't make sun protection unnecessary. You can still burn on cloudy days, and spending several hours outdoors increases your exposure considerably.
During warmer months, consider carrying:
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- A sun hat or cap
- Lightweight clothing that covers exposed skin
Sunscreen may also need reapplying during a long walk, particularly if you're sweating heavily. And don't forget commonly missed areas such as your ears, neck and the backs of your legs.
6. Carry a Small First Aid Kit
You don't need to carry the contents of an ambulance. A compact hiking first aid kit is normally sufficient for dealing with common minor problems until you can get further assistance.
Useful contents might include:
- Plasters
- Blister dressings
- Sterile dressings
- Antiseptic wipes
- Medical tape
- Bandages
- Disposable gloves
- Any personal medication you require
Knowing how to use your first aid equipment is every bit as important as carrying it.
For walkers, it's particularly worth thinking about your feet. A small hotspot on your heel can become a painful blister surprisingly quickly. Treating rubbing as soon as you notice it can potentially save you several uncomfortable miles later in the day.
7. Navigation: Don't Rely Entirely on Your Phone
Smartphones have transformed walking navigation. Mapping apps and GPS make finding your location easier than ever, but that doesn't mean your phone should be your only plan.
Phones can:
- Run out of battery
- Lose signal
- Get wet
- Get dropped
- Stop working
If you're using a mapping app, downloading the relevant map before leaving is sensible, particularly in areas with poor mobile coverage. For remote or more challenging routes, carrying a physical map and compass – and knowing how to use them – provides an important backup. A portable power bank can also be useful on longer walks.
One other simple precaution is to start with a fully charged phone. It sounds obvious, but finishing a long day's walking with 3% battery remaining isn't ideal if that's also your map, camera and means of contacting somebody in an emergency.
8. Put a Head Torch in Your Rucksack
"But we're going for a day walk." Exactly. You aren't planning to walk after dark. The head torch is there because sometimes things don't go to plan. You take the wrong path. Someone twists an ankle. The walk takes longer than expected. You spend more time at the pub halfway round than anticipated. Whatever the reason, daylight eventually disappears.
A small LED head torch weighs very little and can remain permanently in your walking rucksack. Using your phone torch is better than nothing, but it drains the battery of the device you may need for navigation or an emergency call. For such a small piece of equipment, a head torch can make an enormous difference if you're unexpectedly still walking after sunset.
9. Consider Some Basic Emergency Equipment
How much emergency equipment you carry should reflect where you're walking. For a short local walk, you probably don't need very much. For remote hills and mountains, it's worth carrying a few additional items.
These could include:
- Whistle
- Survival bag or emergency shelter
- Emergency blanket
- Head torch
- Spare batteries
- Emergency food
- Power bank
A whistle is particularly useful because it allows you to attract attention without repeatedly shouting. Emergency shelters and survival bags are designed to help protect you from wind and weather if you have to stop for an extended period. Hopefully they'll spend their entire lives sitting unused at the bottom of your rucksack. That's rather the point.
10. Think About Insects and Ticks
Summer walking brings another consideration: biting insects. Depending on where you're walking, insect repellent can be worth adding to your pack, particularly around woodland, water and areas known for midges or mosquitoes.
Ticks are another consideration when walking through long grass, bracken and woodland. Using suitable insect repellent and wearing clothing that reduces exposed skin can help, but it's also worth checking yourself for ticks after walking. A dedicated tick removal tool is small enough to keep permanently in your first aid kit.
11. Look After Your Feet
Your feet are doing most of the work, so don't treat socks as an afterthought. Choose footwear appropriate for the terrain and make sure it's comfortable before attempting a long walk.
Walking socks should help manage moisture and provide cushioning in areas subjected to repeated pressure and rubbing. On longer walks, some people also choose to carry a spare pair of socks. Changing into dry socks halfway through a wet walk can feel remarkably luxurious.
And, as we've discussed previously, don't automatically assume wool walking socks are only suitable for winter. Merino and wool-blend socks can work very effectively in warmer weather thanks to their moisture-management and odour-resistant properties.
12. Keep Important Kit Dry
There's little point carrying a spare warm layer if it's soaking wet when you eventually need it. Water-resistant rucksacks and rain covers can help, but putting particularly important equipment inside dry bags provides another layer of protection.
Consider keeping the following inside waterproof bags:
- Spare clothing
- First aid supplies
- Electronics
- Matches or other emergency equipment
You don't necessarily need a separate dry bag for every item. Organising equipment into a few groups can also make finding things much easier.
The Little Things People Forget
Once the essentials are covered, there are a few small items that can make life considerably easier.
Depending on your walk, consider:
Tissues or toilet paper – for obvious reasons.
Hand sanitiser – particularly before eating.
Rubbish bag – anything you carry into the countryside should come back out with you.
Cash or bank card – that conveniently located country pub isn't much use if you can't buy anything.
Personal medication – including anything you might need unexpectedly.
Walking poles – particularly useful on steep terrain or if you prefer additional stability.
Spare shoelaces – not essential for everyone, but they're lightweight and can have numerous emergency uses.
What You Probably Don't Need
There's a temptation when getting into hiking to believe you need every piece of outdoor equipment available. You don't. For ordinary UK day walks, expensive expedition equipment, huge knives, cooking equipment and enormous 60-litre rucksacks are usually unnecessary. Every extra item adds weight.
The objective isn't to prepare for every imaginable disaster. It's to consider the realistic problems you might encounter and carry sensible equipment to deal with them. Your kit should also reflect your route. A four-mile walk through local countryside doesn't require the same preparation as a full day crossing remote mountain terrain.
Experience will gradually teach you what you regularly use and what spends every walk sitting untouched in your bag.
UK Day Hike Packing Checklist
Before leaving home, run through this simple checklist.
Essential
- Water
- Food and snacks
- Waterproof jacket
- Suitable walking footwear
- Walking socks
- Extra clothing layer
- Fully charged mobile phone
- Navigation/map
- Small first aid kit
- Personal medication
Strongly Recommended for Longer or Remote Walks
- Head torch
- Whistle
- Map and compass
- Emergency food
- Survival bag or emergency shelter
- Power bank
- Waterproof overtrousers
- Dry bag for essential equipment
Summer Extras
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Insect repellent
- Tick remover
- Additional water
Useful Extras
- Spare socks
- Walking poles
- Tissues/toilet paper
- Hand sanitiser
- Rubbish bag
- Cash/bank card
Preparation Weighs Less Than Regret
The vast majority of day hikes pass without incident. You follow the route, enjoy the scenery, eat your sandwiches and arrive back wondering why you packed half the things in your rucksack. That's a good outcome.
The items you carry aren't necessarily there because you expect something to go wrong. They're there because weather changes, routes take longer than expected and accidents occasionally happen. You don't need to carry the outdoor equivalent of the kitchen sink.
Choose your equipment according to the distance, terrain, weather and remoteness of your walk, carry the basics, and make sure you've got a few sensible options available if your day doesn't go exactly according to plan.
Then get out there and enjoy the walk.
Related Reading:
Packing Your Rucksack For Autumn Walks
Walking Gaiters For Improving Adventures
Summer Layering: It's Not Just For Winter