What Kind of Hiker Am I?

Take this quiz to find your outdoors personality!

From city walkers to long-haul backpackers, the hiking world is as diverse as the trails we follow. Are you a casual daytripper? A bucket-list sightseer? A group explorer?

Answer a few simple questions, and we'll tell you what your hiking personality is! Plus, we'll also recommend an iconic trail for you!

An illustration of someone walking in hiking boots.

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Questions Overview

1. How often are you out hiking during the hiking season?
  1. Multiple times a week.
  2. Once a week or so.
  3. Once a month or so.
  4. Less than once a month.
2. Choose a destination for your hike:
  1. Scenic waterfall
  2. Dramatic canyon
  3. Mountain overlook
  4. Cozy picnic spot
3. Choose your ideal hiking footwear:
  1. Bare feet
  2. Sandals
  3. Sneakers
  4. Hiking boots
4. When you're on the trail, you prefer to...
  1. Take my time and take in the world.
  2. Keep it moving and get to my destination.
5. How far are you willing to travel for a good hike?
  1. I should be there in 20 minutes or less. I like to keep it local.
  2. I'll jump in the car, but I don't travel too far.
  3. I'll cross state lines for a good experience.
  4. I'll go to a different country if the hike is hype enough!
6. When you're hiking, you most like to...
  1. Listen to a podcast, audiobook, or music, maybe even sing along.
  2. Chit chat with other hikers.
  3. Stay silent and listen to nature.
7. Which ecosystem do you prefer to hike in?
  1. Forest
  2. Coastal
  3. Desert
  4. Urban/Rural
8. Thoughts on camping?
  1. Not for me.
  2. Just for a night or two, sure!
  3. Only if the setup is nice. Is there an air mattress?
  4. Love it! I'll camp on the bare ground if I must.
9. Choose a trail type:
  1. Point to point
  2. Out and back
  3. Loop
10. Choose a snack to bring on your hike:
  1. Fresh fruit
  2. Protein or nutrient bar
  3. Candy
  4. Dehydrated meal

More Quizzes

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How to Be a Better Hiker

Hiking is for everyone, but it's also a skill like any other, and skills require some learning and practice. We chatted with outdoor experts to bring you the top tips for staying safe and enjoying your time outside:


  • Mountain guiding expert Stu Johnson says, "Do your research about the route, understand where the hazards are, what they are, how you protect against them. And then understand what to do in a worst-case scenario... have a base level of first aid, crevasse rescue understanding."[1]
  • Outdoor education expert Hannah Young tells us that when it comes to clothing, "You should dress in lots of layers. You should, generally, have a base layer that is breathable but provides some level of warmth, and then all of your layers should be waterproof. Or water-resistant, not necessarily cotton. And then you should have some sort of mid-layer, maybe even an insulated down layer, and then a waterproof layer with you at all times. And then you should also bring some form of sun protection, whether that's sunscreen or a sun hat, but people often forget that in the winter because it's cold."[2]
  • Wilderness and survival expert Doug Flinders says that if you really want to live the hiker's life, "try to make [hiking] a regular habit. You don’t have to go camping every weekend to enjoy the outdoors... I try to go hiking or take outdoor walks, even just after work... Spending an hour in nature each week is great for mental health."[3]

Want to learn more?

For more info on hiking and the outdoors, check out these resources:

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References

  1. ↑ Stu Johnson. Mountain Guiding Expert. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ Hannah Young. Outdoor Education Expert. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ Doug Flinders. Wilderness and Survival Expert. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ Katie Prendergast. Certified Personal Trainer & Nutrition Coach. Expert Interview