Camping and Hiking Are An Ideal Holiday Alternative

Camping and hiking are two activities that are almost always available no matter where a person might live and an ideal activity to plan during your summer holidays.  There are usually state parks, rivers, open plains, mountains, forests or other natural environments that are located just outside of cities and towns where an individual can get away from it all and enjoy nature, whether it is for a weekend, or even a week long excursion.

Planning for a hiking versus a camping trip is much simpler, only requiring the right sort of clothing and shoes are chosen according to the weather and terrain.  Camping trips require more planning, including the decision to use an RV, camp out of the back of a car, or to hike into the campsite carrying everything in the backpack. However, when compared to finding and booking cheap package holidays, camping is still ideal if you fancy a quick getaway at the end of a stressful week.

Camping and hiking gear have many similar requirements, since hiking is a part of backpacking types of camping trips.  Camping and hiking clothing should match the time of year and also the terrain where the trip will be taken, since going up into the mountains will make the weather cooler, requiring additional clothing needs.  Clothing should always be comfortable with soft materials that will not cause chaffing.  In addition, the material should wick the water away from the skin which helps to keep the individual warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. 

Tent and sleeping gear are also important for camping hiking trips.  The choice in this gear determines the weight that will be carried in the backpack, so special attention should be paid to this equipment.  Backpackers usually choose two man tents even if they are going alone since they provide more room for gear to be stored in the tent while sleeping comfortably as well.  

Camping and hiking gear, whether or not the person is going to stay overnight, will also require some cooking gear, even if it is as simple as packing a lunch.  There are many different types of cook stoves on the market that use different types of fuel and work in all temperatures.  The cooking utensils should all nest within each other so that packing is more efficient.  Water purifiers should be bought so that water does not have to be packed in, adding too much weight to the pack.

All in all camping trips make great family holidays and can be a real adventure if they are well planned in a beautiful destination.