15 Things Only Walkers & Hikers Will Understand

Female hiker in a forest on a sunny day

We hikers and outdoor types are a tight-knit community. Obviously we always want new people to get involved, but there are some things that non-hikers just don’t understand about our love for the great outdoors and why we spend so much of our free time hiking the good hike.

Read more: 5 Family Arguments All Campers Will Recognise

With that in mind, here are 15 things only hikers, walkers and trekkers really, truly understand…

People think we’re a bit crazy

The rain may be lashing down, it’s freezing cold, and most people are curled up indoors in front of the TV. Yet we’re out on the hill, layered up to the nines and loving it. And when we tell people this, they invariably think we have a screw or two loose.

Sure, we sometimes wonder if we can really be bothered, but we all know it’s worth it in the end.

Maps are a work of art

There’s just something so delicious about pouring over an OS map, searching for all the little details and generally just admiring how stunningly put together they are. Half the time, we barely even actually use them.

Read more: Interview with Ordnance Survey

Ordnance survey map

You definitely need those new walking boots

You already have three pairs of walking boots and a pair of walking shoes, but that brand new, shiny pair of boots is staring at you, and you definitely 100% need them. Same goes for that waterproof jacket, those walking poles and that baselayer. All essential.

You can never have too much gear

And because of the previous point, you can never have too much amazing walking gear. Of course, all you really need is your basic kit, but where’s the fun in that? If you’re going to do it, you might as well do it properly, and there’s probably room in the spare bedroom you can squeeze in a bit more.

Finding your own route is a joy

It’s nice to wander along a trail, and sometimes it’s absolutely essential that you stick to the path, but occasionally it’s nice to find your own route, head off the beaten track a little and find your own route. Being careful not to trespass though, obviously.

Group of hikers on a trail

You’ve made someone swear off hiking forever

We’ve all tried to get someone to come hiking with us in the past, and sometimes we succeed in dragging them along. However, we’ve also no doubt put people off forever as well. We’re really enthusiastic, we get them the right kit, plan the day meticulously, and then it throws it down, they’re cold and miserable and blame you for the whole debacle.

At least we tried.

There are people we never want to come hiking with us again

At the other end of the spectrum, we’ve all encountered people who have come hiking with us, but we never, ever want them to come with us again. Maybe they whinged the whole way, spent the entire time glued to their phone, or insisted on ruining the lovely peace and quiet. Whatever they did, they can stay at home next time.

When a quick walk turns into an all-day hike

This happens far too often! You just intend on having a couple of hours outside, and before you know it, the whole day has disappeared. And you don’t really care! Until it gets dark and you’re still miles from the car.

Most hikes end in the pub

Let’s be honest, it’s not a real hike until you end up in the pub at the end with a drink your hand and a plate of hearty food in front of you. The pubs get extra points if they have an open fire and a resident old dog you can stroke.

post hike pint

Going to the toilet outside is both liberating and terrifying

Answering nature’s call in the great outdoors can make you feel at one with nature, but it’s also terrifying as you worry that a group of Scouts is going to come round the corner any minute.

So many hikes, so little time

We’ve all got a list of hikes we want to go on, both home and abroad, but there’s just never enough time to get through them all. And the list is like some kind of unkillable creature - once you chop one off your list, two more pop up to take its place.

Read more: 5 Moan-free Hikes For Kids In The UK

Getting itchy feet if you’re at home too long

Sometimes it’s nice to just have a lazy weekend at home with your feet up doing absolutely nothing. However, if that happens more than a couple of weeks in a row, then you start to get itchy feet and daydreaming about the trails and paths you could be exploring instead. Some people just aren’t built to be stuck indoors.

Getting easily distracted from your main route

You know your main route but on the way you always seem to get distracted by other things you can see in the distance. Before you know it, you’ve zigzagged all over the place because you can’t help but go and check out that old castle or take a close look at that cool looking tree.

Hikers out on the hill heading towards a mountain

That thing in the distance is always further than you think

“So we’ll just walk to that hill and then head back”, you say. An hour and a half later and you’re still not there and you immediately regret this decision. And then you realise you have to walk back as well. This is a surefire way to put newbies off hiking (see above).

It’s all totally worth it

All the wind, rain, arguments, blisters, soggy sandwiches, and early mornings are all absolutely worth it when you get to see views like this. Most of the time.

Can you think of any more things that only hikers will truly understand? Let us know in the comments or get involved on Facebook and Twitter.

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