Slower Hiking

Useful tips and exciting itineraries for leisurely hikers and hiking duos

Inspiring and Celebrating Slower Hikers

Are you leisurely hikers? Do you stroll up hills or take many photos? Do you stop for lunch, smell the flowers and linger atop mountains? Do you prefer daily distances of 10-20 kilometres, rather than 10-20 miles? If so, our approach is for you!

Feature Posts

  • Hiker on ridge overlooking vast view towards Mount Field West

    Mount Field West Circuit

    This leisurely 3-day circuit hike takes you through snow gum and boulderfields to tarns above the treeline, with vast views from rocky peaks. Clemes Tarn, Mt Field West, The Watcher, Newdegate Pass, Newdegate Lake, Twisted Tarn, Twilight Tarn, historic huts filled with memorabilia – you’ll see them all and more! It’s fantastic walking.

  • Lightweight Backpacking Breakfasts

    Delicious lightweight backpacking breakfast ideas and recipes to satisfy your needs whether you prefer a grab-and-go or a sit-down brekky, hot or cold, sweet or savoury, home-made/assembled or commercial.

  • hiker with blue backpack standing on rock ledge overlooking vast view of plains far below

    Grampians Peaks Trail

    Endless exhilarating views, fun and varied hiking including some challenges, exceptional wildlife and a landscape ablaze with spring wildflowers: the extraordinary Grampians Peaks Trail in Victoria is certain to join the ranks of iconic Australian hikes.

  • Human Factors, Decision-Making and Hiking Safety: What You Need to Know

    Most serious hiking mishaps happen due to human factors: emotions, fatigue or decisions that we make, rather than gear or environmental factors in isolation. This article explains WHY we make poor decisions when hiking. It covers the human factors — particularly our own minds — that negatively affect decision-making and safety.

  • pot of tomato and bean minestrone

    Dehydrated Tomato and Bean Minestrone

    A hearty, nourishing soup packed with flavour: perfect comfort food for those cold nights in camp!

  • view of mountain lakes from Frenchman's Cap

    Frenchman's Cap - Tasmania

    This spectacular hike - the one Tasmanian locals tell you tops their list of favourites -- crosses the Franklin and Lodden rivers on fun swing bridges, before traversing buttongrass plains and climbing through lush rainforest. Once in the high country you have rugged tors and first class views across alpine tarns and lakes.

  • Hiker sitting on rocky beach boiling water with an alcohol backpacking stove

    How to Choose the Right Backpacking Stove for YOU

    Step through this article to find the exact pot and stove combination that best suits your hiking style and environment!

  • cup of cold soak bean salad at beach

    Dehydrated Cold-Soak Bean Salad

    After a few days on the trail we all begin to crave those fresh, crisp, savoury salad tastes and textures. This spicy, delicious, protein- and carb-packed salad with crunch, acid and chilli in a lightweight package is a great backpacking lunch alternative.

  • tent set up with sunset glowing through in remote area

    X-Mid Pro 2, Duplex, Triplex or Stratospire Li for Two: a Comparative Review

    We review and compare four of the most popular DCF tents for two people: X Mid Pro 2, Duplex, Triplex and the Stratospire Li. We’ve used all four tents on multiple hikes over a wide range of conditions to help you select the one that suits you best. Two people sharing a tent has significant implications for ease of setup, space, condensation and liveability that don’t apply to solo hikers.

  • hiker on south coast track looking across coastal heath to sea with inshore island

    South Coast Track - Tasmania

    Rugged coastlines, mountain ranges, beaches, rainforests and river crossings: a stunning wilderness that can be customised to suit experienced slower hikers.

  • delicious pot of sticky minced pork with rice tomato and cucumber

    Dehydrated Caramelised Pork Rice Bowl

    This sticky Asian-style stirfry with rice or noodles to soak up the delicious sauce is high in protein and carbs, and the caramelisation creates a wonderfully different texture to that of many other dehydrated dinners.

  • hiker heating water with alcohol stove on cold morning with mist over alpine lake in background

    Backpacking Stoves and Fuel: What You Need to Know

    Alcohol, butane, kerosene, petrol, wood, Esbit or Shellite? Upright, Integrated, Remote or Inverted? Open or Sideburner? Understand their characteristics and differences, and which suit what situations best so you can choose the right one for your next hike.

  • Hiker sitting on log in cleared area of forest eating noodles from pot

    What to Add to Instant Ramen Noodles: Backpacking Tips and Recipe Ideas

    Two minute noodles, instant noodles or instant ramen… whatever you call them, they are light, cheap, compact, shelf-stable, delicious, readily available, convenient and easy to prepare: perfect hiker fare! Just swap those flavour sachets for condiments, and add protein and veg for quick, tasty and healthier instant noodle meals in camp.

  • Swimmers sitting on rocks around large pool of crystal clear water  at base of scenic waterfall

    Thorsborne Trail on Hinchinbrook Island

    An exceptional 32 km thru hike on Hinchinbrook Island in tropical Queensland. The entire island is uninhabited National Park, and retains its solitude and serenity.

  • Tent pitched on solid rock on shores of Lkae Chalice Lake Tasmanian Highlands

    How to Stake and Guy Your Tent: Snow, Rock, Sand, Platforms and More

    Tent stakes and anchoring techniques for different substrates, what guylines to use and how to choose which tent stakes to take on your next hike.

  • view from adjacent peak of Aflftavatyn

    Iceland Central Highlands - Hellismannaleid, Laugavegur and Fimmvorduhals Multiday Trek

    This truly awe-inspiring hike links three trails in the central highlands of Iceland combining snow, ice, fire, volcanoes, lava and ash fields, waterfalls, glaciers, alpine lakes, rivers and steaming mudpots and hotsprings.

  • Hiker sitting at top of peak with expansive view

    An Eleven Day Trek in Walls of Jerusalem National Park

    We share an extended journey into the Walls of Jerusalem, encompassing the Walls with Solomon’s Throne, as well as Mt Jerusalem, Lake Myrtle, Mt Rogoona, Twin Spires, Lake Artemis, Tent Tarn, Lake Chalice and more.

  • Moody overcast skies above a still lake with steep mountains either side and small tent and outhouse on plain in foreground at the infamous tent-eating Alftavatyn campground in the central highlands of Iceland

    How to Secure Your Tent for Strong Winds and Storms

    Understanding stakes, guylines, tent orientation, set up technique, rain, snow and human factors is essential when we pitch our tent for or during strong winds and storms.

  • Hiker walking up rock steps in boots

    How to Choose the Best Hiking Shoes for You

    The right footwear can make or break your hike… but there are so many options. Although the list is endless, we provide tools to help choose footwear that’s right for you.

  • tent pitched on flat grassy area next to river with mountains in background and wild sky above

    Tents in Strong Wind: Terrain and How to Choose the Best Pitch

    Understanding the effects different landforms have on wind and the best ways to utilise or mitigate those effects can greatly reduce the stresses placed on your tent… and you!

  • eleven different types of tent stakes all lined up

    Tent Stakes for Backpacking: What You Need to Know

    Tent stakes are one of the most important items of backpacking gear! They make the difference between a secure night’s sleep and a miserable one spent in and out of the tent as it collapses around you. Here’s how and why you should be installing your stakes differently.

  • tents pitched in open bare flat area with mountian backdrop and wild weather sky above

    Tents in Strong Wind: What You Need to Know

    Understanding wind, tents and terrain can make the difference between an enjoyable hike or a terrible one so, with a little help from tent manufacturers, we’ve written this in-depth, three-part article to help you get the most out of your tent in strong winds and storms.

  • tent pitched on shores of lake Elisa on central highland plateau in Tasmania with rising mist and rugged mountains tops in background

    Multiday Hiking for Seniors

    This article is to inspire older folk to try something you might not have tried before, or which you haven’t done for years: a multiday hike. Here are practical tips and workarounds to help you succeed. Age is no barrier!

  • Why Hike the Bibbulmun Track?

    The best wildflower trek in the world… the best long distance trek for leisurely hikers… and the best long distance hike for first-time through hikers. The Bibbulmun ticks all the boxes.

  • Managing Health and Chronic Conditions

    If you’ve been on the planet for more decades than many and have enjoyed life, you may be carrying a chronic condition or two. Rest assured that, for very many of them, someone with the same complaint has done a multiday hike! Here are tips to help manage them.

  • four hikers walking down steep snow covered mountain slope

    The FU Stop, or How Not to Hike with a Partner

    This article is for all hikers who struggle to keep up, who think they walk too slowly, and especially for hikers who think their partner walks too slowly.

  • Hiker sitting on grassy knoll looking out across the landscapewith rugged mountains in background

    River Crossing/Camp Shoes, Lacing Techniques, Gaiters, Insoles, Socks and Preventing Blisters

    No matter how good your hiking footwear, you’ll get better results with good socks and insoles. Add how to prevent blisters, how to choose lightweight gaiters and footwear for in camp and river crossings, and you’re set to go!

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands through which we walk and pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.