Daily and Weekly Walk
It is important to walk at least an hour every day. If you can, walk an hour both in the morning and in the evening.
You may need to work during weekdays and cannot embark on a long hike. Since trekking usually requires walking more than 10 miles a day, it is essential that you do a longer hike during weekends.
Altitude Changes
If you are walking Portugal Coastal Camino or similar treks that do not have a lot of altitude changes, then it’s not important to climb high mountains. However, if you plan to hike Walker’s Haute Route or Everest Base Camp, then you need to train on trails that involve climbing up and down.
Acclimatization
If you are preparing for high altitude trekking (i.e., >= 8,000 ft), then you should add acclimatization hikes to your training several weeks before your trip.
Carrying Weight
For those who walk El Camino, there are plenty of places for lunch and snack breaks. Therefore, you don’t need to carry a heavy backpack (though it’s important to carry a First-Aid Kit and rain gear). However, trails like Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim will require you to carry a lot of water (and the water is heavy!). Therefore, during your training hike, you should get used to carrying a heavy backpack.
Group Training
If you are hiking with a group of friends, it’s essential to plan for group training hikes beforehand. In this way, you will get to know everybody’s speed and limitations to avoid surprises.
Happy Trekking!
(Click here to find out more about trekking.)
Amy 'n Rei 