Deciding what to pack for a long hike in the mountains is always hard. Weather is generally unpredictable and there are normally little to no facilities available. So it’s important to bring everything you need, yet not too much. You don’t want to carry any more weight than necessary either. This is why I came up with this ultimate packing list for multiple-day hikes in the mountains.
What you need exactly will differ from hike to hike and from person to person, so adjust this list as you see fit. I tried to make it as extensive as possible, since it’s always easier to cross things off that you don’t need for a particular hike. This list is meant for both preparation and to keep next to you when packing your bag, so you might see things like a toothbrush and think “Duh”, but you wouldn’t be the first to forget it when it comes to actually packing the bag. 😉
Do note that this is a general packing list for multiple day hikes accessible to a wide public. If you’re going to do a very technical hike, or going off the beaten track, you will need more (specialized) gear
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Table of Contents - The Ultimate Packing List for Multiple Day Hikes in the Mountains
Outfit
The weather is unpredictable in the mountains, so it’s important to be prepared for all kinds of weather.
- Hiking boots: Make sure that they are waterproof and broken in. You don’t want to get a blister on your first day and have to drop out because of it. Unfortunately, you wouldn’t be the first one.
- Jacket: A warm, wind and waterproof jacket is a must. I personally love 3-in-1 jackets, but any comfy hiking jacket will do. If it’s not waterproof, or only slightly, consider buying a rain jacket or a poncho.
- Rain pants are useful both in case of rain and when crossing deep snow
- Layers are always the way to go in the mountains. Dress with a t-shirt and a long sleeve below your jacket so you can adapt to the weather. A tank top is not such a good idea, since the sun is strong in the mountains and shoulders burn easily. I normally opt for two sets of hiking clothes, and one set of clothes to wear at the campsite. This way I always have a set of dry clothes to wear.
- Comfy hiking socks, of which you know they don’t cause blisters in your shoes. Very important. And a set of warm socks for the night.
- Thermal clothes are a lifesaver during the chilly evenings and nights in the mountains. Combine with a warm sweater and your jacket and you’re good to go.
- Flip Flops/slippers: While my hiking boots are comfy, I’m generally very happy to get them off at the end of a long day. So it’s always nice to change into 1-2 pairs of socks and slippers. Another pair of shoes is also an option, but they are bigger and heavier, so less handy to bring with you. And if you’re lucky enough to have a shower at your campsite, you will also need slippers there.
- A hat against the sun, and one against the cold
- Gloves
Camping gear
Not all camping gear is suitable for multiple day hikes in the mountains. It’s important that your gear can withstand the harsh mountain conditions and is lightweight at the same time.
- A tent fit for camping in the mountains which can withstand strong winds and rain and is lightweight. When I traveled alone, I had this one, which was a little bit of a pain to pitch and quite small for two people. But it withstood all kinds of weather without problems, and it’s perfect for one person and a backpack. Since I didn’t use it as much, it was the perfect option since the fact that it packs up small and weighs less than 2 kg was more important than comfort.
- A sleeping bag that withstands temperatures below 0°C. How much you will need exactly, will depend on the location and altitude of the hike you’re doing. But definitely calculate a few more degrees in the comfort zone than you think you’re going to need. While down sleeping bags are more expensive, they are lighter and pack up smaller making them better suited in my opinion.
- A sleeping mat: I personally love inflatable hiking mats, since the air isolates and you don’t feel the rocks as much. They are a much better choice than a yoga mat for example.
The importance of good gear – When I first left for South America, I bought a 4°C to -1°C syntetic sleeping bag, as it was the best option for my budget. Syntetic sleepings bags for colder temperatures where to big and heavy and I figured I would go camping in summer and which crazy person goes camping with temperatures below freezing anyway. Turns out, me! While my sleeping bag did do the job mostly, I did get cold, especially my feet, in El Chalten in Argentina and Huaraz in Peru. So when I went back to Patagonia in 2024, I upgraded my sleeping bag for a down one that withstands temperatures of -6°C which was perfect for Torres del Paine in March, and Argentine Patagonia in April.
Food & Cooking
- Cooking gas. Check your stove to see how many hours a gas will normally last to see how many you will need. We got about 8 days out of a big one cooking once a day and preparing 2-3 hot drinks a day too.
- A campstove: the ones you directly screw onto the gas are ideal, since they are small and lightweight.
- Dishes and utensils. You can get complete sets, which even include a pot, like this one. The good thing about these sets is that they easily pack away and will take up less space than things bought separately.
- A tupperware is great to save opened packages in, or to bring a cooked lunch which you prepared the night before.
- Dishwashing soap & a sponge
- Enough meals for every day. Calculate how many meals you’re going to be having and carefully calculate what you will need. You don’t want to get hungry half way through your hike, but you don’t want to be taking extra kilos either.
- Snacks. My favorite hiking snacks are mixed nuts and dried fruit, protein bars and chocolate. On day hikes I like to bring fresh fruits as well, but that’s a bit more tricky on multiple-day hikes.
Which meals to bring – It’s important to bring meals that are easy to cook, filling, and easy and lightweight to carry with you. I’m hardly an expert in what is the best hiking food, but there are a few things to consider.
The most common breakfast to pack on multiple day hikes is oats. They are easy to pack, not messy and light weight. For lunch, it is important to know whether you are allowed to cook during your hike, or only at the dedicated campsites. If you cannot cook (or don’t want to cook), sandwiches or wraps are the way to go. As for dinner, I swear by pasta after a hike and instant soups are perfect for making a sauce and less bulky and heavy than pasta sauces.
Now, I’m quite happy with simple meals like this during a multiple day hike, and might throw in an onion or bring some fresh veggies in a tupperware for the first day(s). But you can also get complete freeze dried meals.
Toiletries & medication
Whether you campsites have showers or not, some toiletries are always necessary
- Soap and shampoo if you’re staying at campsites with (hot) showers. If not, wet wipes are the way to go
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant and everything else that is unmissable during your morning and evening routines
- If you have showers, bring a travel towel. They are lightweight and dry quickly
- Any medication you might take, including glasses, contact lenses with case and liquid, etc.
- Painkillers
- (Blister) plasters
- Kinetic tape is great if you get sore knees easily when hiking.
Other
- Hiking poles: I generally don’t like walking with them, but they are super helpful on multiple day hikes in the mountains. Especially if it’s a long one without many facilities and you’ll be carrying a lot of weight. Then it’s very helpful to be able to divide the weight a little bit and get some pressure off your legs and knees.
- (Duct) tape: This might seem random, but a roll of (duck)tape is always on my packing list for mulitple day hikes! You never know what you might need to fix on the way. I had to fix a friend’s shoe once on a hike when the sole came off.
- Sunscreen
- A raincover for your backpack: If you have a big poncho or a wide raincoat, your backpack might fit under as well. If not and you don’t want to get a raincover, put your stuff in a bin bag inside your backpack so your clothes stay dry.
- Phone charger: if you’re doing a hike with huts and/or a shelter where they have powerplugs. If not, take a fully charged power bank. Which might be a good idea anyway
- Camera (& charger in case of available powerplugs) if you don’t use your phone for pictures.
This was The Ultimate Packing List for Multiple Day Hikes in the Mountains
A reminder that this is a general packing list for multiple day hikes that are accessible for most people. Think hut to hut hikes in the European Alps, the great walks in New Zealand or some of Patagonia’s most popular hikes. If you go completely off track, or go hiking in winter, you’ll need additional gear like crampons, a compass, etc.
