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Outdoor Culture
Ingredients for a Great Hike? The Community Weighs In.
Ingredients for a Great Hike? The Community Weighs In.
July 19, 2023
Big mountains, strong coffee, circular routes, varied elevation… We love talking about what makes a hike great, and we know you do to. That’s why we asked some of the most active members of komoot’s hiking community to tell us what makes a great hike for them. Here’s what they had to say:
Lose track of time
For me, a hike is especially great when I lose track of time. When my mind clears and I’m completely in the moment. ~ Franziska Consolati
Make the route circular
My preferred routes are circular. I like the surprise when making a turn or following a new path that reveals a beautiful vista. ~ Trevor Bichard
A balance between the comfort zone and adrenaline
A great hike needs the right conditions. By that I don't mean the weather conditions - for me it’s the right balance between challenge and safety, planning and discovery, and adrenaline and relaxation. ~ Lisa Eberle
A few meters of altitude
A great hike [for me] is varied. The route leads over as many natural trails as possible and ideally also offers some views. Depending on the region, the altitude profile will be ver
y different, but all routes need a few meters of altitude. Highlights like castle ruins or special natural rock formations are also super. ~ Jan Verbücheln
Friends, elevation and a surprise around the corner
For me, a great hike is made up of 5 key ingredients. The first is the physical challenge, I love to feel my heart rate increase as my legs propel me forwards. Exercising in the great outdoors is better than any indoor gym. The second is the company as I enjoy hiking with friends and family – it’s a bonus if they’re happy to share snacks! The third is the views, I always try and get some elevation on each of my adventures as I love looking at the world from above. The fourth is the escapism, I want to feel as far away from the stresses and strains of daily life as possible so I like to hunt out places with low footfall, lots of greenery and unspoilt landscapes. The fifth and final element of a great hike is the surprise around the corner, as much as I love my old favourite hikes, there’s something exhilarating about spotting a new Highlight. ~ Nic Hardy
Crowd-free and brimming with wildlife
I like to hike off the beaten path, away from the crowds. A good hike for me has amazing scenery, a chance to spot wildlife and tranquility. It's one of the reasons I hike on the moors in the Dark Peak [in the UK] so often! ~ Jo Robinson
Enjoyable in any weather, at any time of year
If I hike alone, the most important thing is variety: lakes, elevations, forests and fields should follow each other in a colorful mix to keep the landscape interesting. Animal encounters usually occur when you hike alone, and you can move to your own rhythm and really take in your surroundings with all of your senses. [I do] well over 100 hikes a year, [so] I always try to get involved with nature in a new way, although more urban Tours also have their charms. Really good routes always work, in any weather and at any time of year. ~ Frank Meyer
Good company and strong coffee
Big Views, unexpected discoveries, good company and a flask of strong coffee! You will never regret lacing up your boots and getting yourself outdoors - it's food for the soul. ~ Erin Outram
Multiple days in the mountains with my dog
For me, a great hike needs three things: a backpack packed for multi-day Tours, my dog and the mountains. The sense of vastness I enjoy on the peaks, the exhaustion that sets in after many meters of climbing, and the sense of time and peacefulness inherent in multi-day Tours – these things provide a great sense of freedom. For me, that is the greatest joy of hiking. ~ Romy Robst
Escapism
For me, a great hike takes me somewhere exciting, somewhere that feels 'other' to the everyday. I know when I've been a great hike when I return to civilisation and it really feels like I've been in a different world. A great hike like this is the ultimate in escapism. ~ Alex Foxfield
No matter what a great hike looks like for you, there’s no time like the present to start planning one. Head to the route planner now, select “hiking” as your sport, and see which adventures the map holds for you.
Second photo by Nic Hardy
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