Hello! My name is Eoin (like Owen, but Irish… and better). I am Co-Founder and CMO for HiiKER. Over the past few years working on HiiKER, I’ve had my ear to the ground and my boots on the trail, tracking the shifts and currents shaping the hiking world as we approach 2024. This next year promises an exciting fusion of tradition and innovation, with new trails gaining fame, gear evolving with technology, and the hiking community finding new global hotspots.
There’s me, standing on the top of Djouce (mountain in Wicklow, Ireland) in 2021. (I swear i’m happy)
Here are some of my predictions for hiking in 2024.
Emerging Trails on the Thru-Hiker’s Map
While the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail have long been the crowns of thru-hiking in the United States, new trails are capturing the imagination of adventurers. The Great Eastern Trail, offering a quieter but no less challenging alternative to the AT, is seeing a steady increase in thru-hikers. Additionally, the American Perimeter Trail is growing in popularity. While much of the trail shares a trail bed with existing National Scenic trails, new lines are drawn to bring a new mega-loop trail to reality.
As international travel continues to rebound, thru-hikers are setting their sights beyond their home countries. Trails like the Via Dinarica in the Balkans and the Transcaucasian Trail across Georgia and Armenia are experiencing an influx of hikers seeking the road less traveled. New Zealand’s Te Araroa has surged in popularity, providing an epic experience from the North Island to the South.
Routes like Jordan’s 650-km-long Jordan Trail are enticing hikers with ancient history and stunning desert landscapes. And while many people are familiar with the Alta Via 1 and Alta Via 2, it’s sequenced siblings Alta Via 3, Alta Via 4 and Alta Via 5 are gaining popularity as stand-alone trails as well as bolt-on trails to create a more immersive experience in the Italian dolomites.
I would do my nation a disservice if I didn’t give an honourable mention to a trail that is gathering a lot of attention on the world stage – The Dingle Way. While there are some equally impressive trails on the southwest coast of Ireland, The Dingle Way is having a moment right now and I’m here for it. Dingle holds a special place in my heart, so I am delighted to see it rival the other major hiking trails of Europe.
Innovations in Gear: Lighter, Smarter, Greener
Gear trends in 2024 are all about smart technology integrated seamlessly into the hiking experience. We’re seeing lightweight materials that don’t sacrifice durability, and apparel that adjusts to temperature changes. Additionally, the push for sustainability is stronger than ever, with gear made from recycled materials becoming the norm, not the exception.
Eco-conscious companies are gaining prominence, with hikers more willing to invest in gear that promises a lower environmental footprint. Companies like Atom Packs, Zpacks, Hyperlight, Gossamer Gear and many others continue to push the boundaries of the triple crown of hiking gear – Lightweight | Durable | Environmentally Sustainable.
Social Trends: Hiking as a Platform for Advocacy
The hiking community is becoming more than just a group of individuals who share a love for the outdoors; it’s turning into a platform for social and environmental advocacy. Hikers in 2024 are not just tackling trails but also the big issues of our time, from climate change to mental health awareness.
Organisations like Trash free Trails, The Outdoorist Oath and many others are mobilising people who share a love for the outdoors to use their voice (and boots) for good.
Right to Roam gained a lot of attention in the UK this year with their campaign (along with other organisations) to save Dartmoor National Park. We will definitely see more from them in 2024 as they campaign further for open access to land for people to connect more with nature.
More and more medical professionals are diagnosing time in the outdoors as a form of medication. The psychological benefits of hiking and time in the outdoors are well-documented by now, but have long been shadowed by modern busy life. In 2024, more people will take to the trails to heal.
Hiking Tech: The Rise of Apps and Online Communities
Hiking apps are getting more sophisticated, offering free offline maps, tailored itineraries, and real-time weather updates. Online communities are flourishing, providing a space for hikers to share tips, stories, and form connections that last beyond the trail. Apps focusing on safety and connectivity, like HiiKER, are becoming indispensable tools for the modern hiker.
With the ability to use 3d mapping along with powerful tools like HiiKER, planning routes has never been so sophisticated. Now you can get a realistic view of the trail conditions and even predict where the best photo locations are going to be!
3D Route planning on HiiKERIn 2024, there will be a forging of technology and the hiking community in a way that truly brings people together. This is probably the most exciting thing to come in the year ahead. As they say, the best adventures are those that are shared.
Trends in Nutrition and Health on the Trail
The trend of trail nutrition is leaning towards superfoods and plant-based options that offer high energy without the weight. Dehydrated and freeze-dried meals are getting tastier and more nutritious, catering to the diverse dietary preferences of the hiking community.
The focus has long-been on packing as much nutrients into as little (weight) food as possible. The evolution of freeze-dried meals is exciting. Many thru-hikers are taking to their own recipes while companies like Outdoor Provisions are offering high-nutrient, tasty snacks for hikers on their big adventures.
Training and Preparation: A New Focus
There’s an increasing emphasis on the importance of pre-trail training and preparation. Hikers are taking physical conditioning seriously, engaging in hiking-specific workout regimes months before hitting the trail to avoid injuries and increase enjoyment.
A theory of mine is that the increased volume of trail runners can be attributed to those that have either completed a thru-hike or who have been training for one. Taking to shorter trails and testing out gear is becoming more common for those taking on bigger challenges. This will likely lead to a higher completion rate on thru-hikes. Check out Halfway Anywhere’s survey to see trends in the tripple-crown hikes.
Fast-Packing: Blending Speed with Endurance on the Trails
A significant trend gaining momentum is fast-packing – a hybrid of hiking and running where adventurers cover long distances with speed but still soak in the experience. Fast-packers travel light, often carrying less than ten pounds in their packs, which allows them to move quickly over terrain that traditional backpackers might take days to cover.
Fast-packing isn’t just about the physical challenge; it’s also a unique way to experience the wilderness. It’s for those who find joy in the rhythm of swift movement and the challenge of pushing their endurance to the limits. As more trails become fast-packing-friendly, with increased access points and better resources for lightweight travel, we anticipate this trend to continue its growth in 2024.
This approach has not only introduced a new athletic component to hiking but also spurred the development of specialized gear. Manufacturers are responding with ultra-lightweight tents, sleeping systems, and even clothing designed for high performance over long distances. The fast-packing community is also fostering a culture of minimalist travel and efficiency, emphasizing the adage that less is more on the trails.
If you haven’t heard of the acronym FKT, you will start to hear it a lot more over the coming year. Fast-packing opens up the opportunity for hikers and ultra-runners alike to complete trails in record times. While there is no actual prize for completing a route any faster, the novelty of your name on the website as the record-holder is at the very least, a story for the gang down in the pub.
With this trend, the definition of thru-hiking is expanding. Fast-packers are showing that there are multiple ways to experience a trail, often completing journeys in half the time it would take when hiking traditionally. As a testament to human endurance and ingenuity, fast-packing is set to be a trailblazing trend in the hiking world of 2024.
Hiking Inclusivity and Accessibility
Finally, there’s a welcome trend towards inclusivity in hiking. Initiatives to make trails more accessible to people of all abilities and backgrounds are gaining traction, with organizations working to ensure that the joy of hiking is an option for everyone.
2024 is set to be another big year in the world of hiking and the outdoors. As technology and community collide, we are going to see more voices and faces on our trails. It is important that we ensure that the hiking community remains an inclusive one and that we are all promoting safety for our fellow hikers.
Did we miss anything? Let us know what you’re looking forward to in 2024
