Smart Hikes is an independent online magazine about hiking with your head: reading contours and bearings, using a phone GPS without being betrayed by it, understanding a mountain forecast, pacing and feeding the body over a 20 km day, and making the decisions that turn a walk around before it turns into a rescue.
We are not a tour operator, a guide service or a shop. We sell no trips and no gear and take no commission from anyone we mention. What you read here comes from our own time outside, checked against park authorities, official sources and maps, and written for readers who want distances, seasons and honest advice rather than a brochure.
What we cover
Four sections organise the magazine. Navigation covers contour lines, compass bearings, phone GPS and offline maps, pacing and timing, route finding above the treeline and navigating at night or in whiteout. Weather and Seasons deals with mountain forecasts, lightning, wind chill, heat, shoulder-season snow and reading the sky. Body and Pace is walking speed and elevation gain, training, calories, hydration, feet and altitude. Decisions and Safety covers turnaround times, hiking alone, being lost, the ten essentials, group decisions and emergency signalling.
Our editorial approach
Every article is researched and written by the Smart Hikes desk. Fees, permit systems, schedules and seasons change, so we describe them in general terms and point you to the authority in charge for the current text. Mountains, weather and terrain carry real risk: nothing here replaces a course, a local forecast, the advice of rangers or your own judgement on the day. We name no brands, accept nothing in exchange for coverage, and say so when something is a matter of opinion. Corrections are welcome and made quickly.
Get in touch
Corrections, questions and subjects you think we should cover are always welcome through our contact page. For how we handle data and our publishing terms, see the Privacy Policy and the Legal Notice.