As the weather gets nicer, it’s time to head out on some day hikes! For those new to the outdoor world, a day hike is just a small hike that doesn’t last overnight. It can be anything from an easy walk along a mulched trail to a multi-mile hike up a mountain. Here in New Orleans, we don’t have mountains, so we’ve got a plethora of easy trails.
Even in the flat-land, our trails do vary a bit in style and ambiance. Check out our previous article on the top 9 hiking trails near New Orleans for details on local trails.
What should I bring on a day hike?
If you’re new to hiking, or if this will be the first time hiking with your kids, you might wonder what you should bring on a day hike. Good question!
Whether you’re going on a day hike to a local trail or you’re visiting a mountainous trail in another state, you’ll need the same essentials in your pack. Knowing what to bring on a day hike will save you a lot of hassle on the trail. Thankfully, the day hiker’s checklist isn’t very long.
The day hiker’s checklist
Before heading out on your adventure, make sure you’ve got everything on this list.
The right clothing. Dress for the weather that you’ll encounter on the trail. If you’re hiking around New Orleans, check the forecast before you leave the house and bring whatever you to be comfortable in those temperatures. In the mountains, you’ll need to consider potential weather changes for the region.
The right shoes. You really want to bring the right shoes on a day hike! We cannot stress this enough. Hiking in ill-fitting shoes or shoes that aren’t meant for trails can give you blisters. There are few things that suck the fun out of hiking like walking with blisters on your feet. Trail shoes, hiking boots, or comfortable running shoes typically work well on New Orleans hiking trails.
Food. You might just need some snacks, or you might need a meal. When you’re figuring out what food you should bring on a day hike, determine how long you’ll be out there based on the trail mileage. Then add a little extra time just in case something goes wrong. Bring enough food to account for the extra time.
Water. The amount of water you’ll need for a day hike depends a bit on the weather. On a cooler day when you won’t need as much water, plan to bring about a half-liter of water for each hour you’ll be on the trail. If it’s hot and you will be sweating during the hike, bring extra water.
Bug Repellant. This one is a little specific to New Orleans, but it can apply in mountainous summers as well. If you’re prone to mosquito bites, bring bug repellant. Avoid the bite!
Navigation tools. To know which navigation tool you should bring on a day hike, check the trail info before you head out there. Plenty of local trails are well marked and don’t require a map or GPS device. Others can get a little tricky if you’re not paying attention. Getting lost on a hike would not be fun at all, so double-check the trail difficulty beforehand.
First Aid Kit. Part of being prepared includes being ready for something to go wrong. It’s always a good idea to hike with a small first aid kit. Also, remember to bring any personal medications that you may need on the hike. New hikers often forget things like asthma inhalers or Epi-Pens. If you have a life-saving prescription medication that you might need on the trail, remember to bring it with you.
At LOOP NOLA, we offer outdoor adventure programming to everyone from children to adults. If you would like to learn more about hiking techniques, or if you would like to expand your adventures to overnight camping, check out our upcoming local events!
