Let’s clear something up straight away.
An overnight hiking trip is not a survival test, a military exercise, or an excuse to buy £1,000 worth of gear… yet 😅
In reality, it’s just a walk where you:
- Carry slightly more stuff than usual
- Stop earlier than you think you should
- Eat dinner outside
- Sleep badly once
- Wake up feeling weirdly proud
Honestly? That’s why it’s great.
Once you stop overthinking it, it becomes one of the most fun, confidence-boosting things you can do outdoors.
What Your First Overnight Trip Actually Looks Like
Let’s be honest — it’s probably:
- Shorter than you planned
- Slower than you expected
- Heavier than it should be
You’ll keep checking the time.
You’ll wonder if you’ve picked the right spot.
You’ll stop “just for a minute” a lot.
That’s normal. Everyone does it.
Picking a Location (Don’t Be a Hero)
This is not the trip to test yourself.
Pick somewhere:
- You’ve heard of
- With paths that actually exist
- Where getting back to the car or train doesn’t require a rescue
Rolling hills, woodland, moorland — all perfect.
Mountains can wait.
Your goal is to enjoy it, not endure it.
Picking a Pitch (Don’t Overthink It) 🏕️
Everyone overthinks this bit. Every time.
You’re just looking for:
- Ground that’s mostly flat
- A bit of shelter from wind
- Somewhere off the main path
Before you commit:
- Drop your bag
- Sit down
- If it feels like you’ll slide all night — move on
Quick glance around:
- Where will rain run?
- Where will the wind hit?
- Where will the sun come up?
If it feels calm and comfortable, that’s your pitch.
Stop walking. Get set up. Enjoy the moment.
Doing It With Someone Else 👣
Your first overnight hiking trip doesn’t have to be a solo mission.
Going with someone else means:
- Decisions are shared
- Gear can be split
- Night-time noises are immediately less dramatic
- There’s always someone else to confirm you picked a decent pitch
It also makes the good bits better:
- Sunsets get talked about
- A hot brew or quiet beer tastes even better
- Even a rough night becomes a funny story
Solo trips can come later.
There’s nothing wrong with starting together.
Sunsets: The First “Oh… This Is Why” Moment 🌄
You arrive somewhere nice with daylight left.
You dump your bag.
You sit down.
And then the sky starts doing that thing.
Sunsets on an overnight hike feel different because:
- You’ve earned them
- You’re not rushing home
- You don’t need to be anywhere
It’s usually the moment people realise:
“Okay… this was worth it.”
Especially with a cold beer or a hot coffee in hand.
Food: Lower Your Standards (Temporarily)
This is not MasterChef: Outdoors Edition.
Good options:
- Dehydrated meals
- Wraps with literally anything inside
- Instant porridge
- Chocolate (non-negotiable)
Warm food outside tastes better anyway.
Science. Probably.
Camp Evenings Are Quiet (In a Good Way)
This surprises most people.
After food, there’s nothing to do.
No scrolling.
No background noise.
So you:
- Sit
- Watch the last bit of light fade
- Listen to random nature sounds
- Read a book
- Chat if you’re not solo
- Get into your sleeping bag earlier than expected
It’s not boring — it’s calming.
And it’s something most people don’t get anymore.
Night-Time: Let’s Address the Noises 🔦
You will hear things.
They will sound:
- Too close
- Too loud
- Slightly suspicious
They are almost always:
- Wind
- Birds
- Something small doing something unimportant
Head torch on.
Quick look.
Back to bed. Job done.
Sunrises: The Best Part (And the Reason You’ll Do It Again)
You wake up cold.
You unzip the tent.
The world is quiet.
And then the light starts creeping in.
Sunrises hit harder because:
- You didn’t travel for them
- You didn’t rush for them
- You were already there
This is usually the moment people think:
“Yeah… I’m doing this again.”
What to Pack (Reality Edition)
Ignore the gear flex on social media.
Here’s what actually matters.
Must-haves
- Backpack
- Shelter (tent / tarp / bivvy)
- Sleeping bag & mat
- Food you’ll actually eat
- Water
- Warm layer
- Waterproofs
- Head torch
- First aid kit
- Spare socks
Very nice to have
- Pillow (or clothes in a stuff sack)
- Hot drink setup
- Trekking poles
- Map
- Snacks you’ll pretend are “for energy”
If your pack feels a bit heavy, congrats — you’re doing it right.
Morning: The Payoff ☕
The morning hits differently:
- Cold air
- Soft light
- Zero rush
- Everything you need already with you
Coffee tastes better.
Breakfast feels earned.
Packing up takes about half the time you expect.
You walk away thinking:
“I could do this again.”
The Best Bit (No One Talks About This)
The magic moment isn’t the hike.
It’s:
- Sitting still with nothing to do
- Waking up already outside
- Realising you carried everything you needed
- Feeling weirdly proud over something very simple
That’s the hook.
That’s why people keep doing this.
Final Word
Your first overnight hiking trip doesn’t need to be impressive.
Short. Simple. Slightly uncomfortable. Very memorable.
Do one — and suddenly everything else feels possible 🌲
