How Much Does it Cost to Go Hiking?

Blue Ridge Parkway Hikes - Waterrock Knob Hiking Trail

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Get Out & Hike!

Hiking is a great way to take a break from the daily routine, switch, and enjoy the scenery. However, do not forget that for long trips it is necessary to maintain good physical shape. And, of course, you will have to spend money on equipment so that the journey brings only positive emotions and not pain, blisters, and a spoiled mood.

On your first hikes, you can save money by wearing comfortable walking shoes and borrowing from friends, but if you're going to make hiking a part of your life, you'll have to spend some money.

Necessary Equipment for Hiking

Perhaps the full list of required equipment may scare you. But you will not be happy if you find yourself on a campaign without it. These things are needed to manage risk and deal with harsh weather outside effectively.

Sleeping and Shelter: Sleeping bag. Sleeping pad. Tent. Tarp.
Cooking and Eating: Stove. Pots & Pans & Bowls. Mug. Water bottles. Spoon/fork/spork.
Packing: Backpack. Stuff sacks. Pack liner/rain cover.
Clothing: Baselayers. Midlayers. Puffy jacket. Rain jacket. Rain pants. Hiking pants/shorts.Hiking boots/shoes. Gaiters. Gloves. Sun hat. Warm hat. Sunglasses.
Accessories: Map & Compass. GPS. Lighter. First aid kit. Sunscreen. Bug spray. Mosquito head net. For when the bugs are really bad.

How Much Money Will You Have to Spend on Hiking Equipment?

Looking at the list above, you probably already understand that this will cost a considerable amount. And, in fact, equipment is not something worth saving on. If it rains or snows on your hike, you won't be happy with a jacket that gets wet. You will not be happy with shoes in which you will feel every stone as well.

So, here is the approximate cost of the necessary equipment:

Item	Low End	High End
Sleeping + Shelter
Sleeping bag	$150	$600
Sleeping pad	$20	$200
Tent	$150	$500
Tarp	$15	$200
Cooking + Eating
Stove	$30	$180
Pots & Pans & Bowls	$20	$100
Mug	$5	$40
Water bottles	$10	$50
Spoon/fork/spork	$3	$10
Packing
Backpack	$150	$300
Stuff sacks	$10	$50
Pack liner/rain cover	$5	$60
Clothing
Baselayers	$40	$200
Midlayers	$40	$300
Puffy jacket	$80	$300
Rain jacket	$50	$400
Rain pants	$50	$400
Hiking pants/shorts	$20	$150
Socks	$5	$30
Hiking boots/shoes	$80	$200
Gaiters	$30	$100
Gloves	$10	$80
Sun hat	$5	$60
Warm hat	$5	$50
Sunglasses	$5	$150
Accessories
Map & Compass	$5	$50
GPS	$80	$200
Lighter	$1	$3
First aid kit	$10	$100
Sunscreen	$5	$20
Bug spray	$5	$20
Mosquito head net	$3	$20
TOTAL	$1,097	$5,123

The range between the lower bound and the upper bound is wide enough. So it is not necessary to spend all the savings on equipment for hiking, especially if you walk short distances from time to time.

It should be noted that cheap equipment is designed for short service life. At the same time, an expensive one can remain in good condition for years. However, remember that saving is definitely not worth it on shoes and a sleeping bag.

Hiking Insurance

However, these are not all expenses that you should be prepared for. There is also insurance for mountaineering and hiking. Climbers and hikers of all skill levels are at risk from climbing hazards, especially those who travel overseas to famous climbing destinations because insurance is a crucial part of the cost.

In addition to climbing and hiking injuries, insurance also includes emergency medical evacuation, surgery, emergency hospital visits, and repatriation benefits, among other insurance benefits.

Such policies usually specify the maximum height that the plan covers. So, for example, if you are injured while hiking at 16,000 feet and your insurance only covers injuries up to 13,000 feet, your claim may be denied.

The cost of insurance is usually calculated taking into account the place you are going to, the height you are going to climb, and some other factors.