Short Trek, Big Reward — Why Weekend Treks Are Worth It
Weekend treks are underrated.
See, most folks believe you need at least a week-long vacation to really enjoy hiking on a trail tour. But that’s simply not true. Even a short hiking trip during the weekend can have huge rewards — all without taking extra days off of work or life. You’ll experience:
- A complete mental and physical reboot
- An incredible outdoor adventure
- Solid justification for leaving your phone at home
Plus… you don’t have to be an “outdoorsy” type to enjoy hiking on a weekend trek.
Let’s dig in…
What you’ll learn:
- Why Short Hiking Trail Tours Are Becoming More Popular Than Ever
- Benefits Of Weekend Treks You Can’t Afford To Ignore
- How To Choose The Perfect Weekend Trek
- What Makes A Good Weekend Trek
Why Short Hiking Trail Tours Are Becoming More Popular Than Ever
If you love spending time outdoors, you’ve probably noticed more people hiking, camping, climbing, fishing, and more.
You aren’t imagining things.
Participation in outdoor recreation has skyrocketed over the past decade. In fact, recent data shows there were 181.1 million Americans participating in outdoor activities in 2024. That’s up from 55.9 percent in 2019 and nearly 60 percent of Americans over age six!
But here’s the cool part…
A huge percentage of that growth is coming from casual adventurers. Weekend warriors. Folks who hike a local trail on Saturdays, camp for the night near their cabin, or take a short trail tour when they have a long weekend.
Not everyone can take off two weeks to hike the Pacific Crest Trail. But that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve an amazing experience in the great outdoors.
Short hiking trail tours like the Inca Trail 2 Days are becoming more popular because they offer unbelievable experiences in a short period of time. All the incredible views, challenges, and bragging rights of a once-in-a-lifetime adventure without using all of your vacation days.
Weekend treks are the perfect opportunity to get outside and experience everything Mother Nature has to offer.
Benefits Of Weekend Treks You Can’t Afford To Ignore
Thinking a weekend hike isn’t all that great?
Think again.
Not only will you have an absolute blast getting out and exploring, but the benefits of weekend treks aren’t to be ignored.
According to an article by National Geographic, research has shown that hiking for just 30 minutes can lower stress hormones by as much as 28 percent.
28%
Yes, that’s right. Going on a hike reduces cortisol levels by nearly one-third!
But that’s not all…
When you take a short hiking trail tour, even if it’s just for the weekend, you can:
- Burn 400 to 550 calories per hour if you’re hiking on rough terrain
- Lower your blood pressure naturally without medication
- Decrease stress levels and increase happiness through endorphin release
- Get better sleep at night by exposing yourself to more sunlight during the day
And while all of these benefits sound amazing, many people don’t take them into account…
Mental health improvements are just as powerful. One study done by Stanford University proved that walking through nature can decrease the amount of activity in the part of the brain associated with depression. Nature calms you down and can eliminate the destructive thinking cycles we all battle each day.
Weekend treks provide enough time outdoors to spark these incredible mental and physical health benefits. A multi-day hiking trip isn’t necessary. Just a few days spent amongst the trees can make you happier and healthier once you return to your normal routine on Monday.
How To Choose The Perfect Weekend Trek
Weekend treks are great because they don’t require a ton of planning or time off. They allow anyone to get outdoors without the usual barriers that come with longer trips.
But it isn’t always as simple as just picking a trail and going.
Luckily, weekend treks remove most of the stress by keeping things short, focused, and manageable.
When planning a weekend adventure, consider these four things that make a great weekend trek:
Difficulty:
You don’t want to pick a trail that is too hard. But you also don’t want it to be too easy. Find something that will challenge you just enough to feel proud of yourself at the end without totally wiping you out.
Views:
It goes without saying that the more epic your views, the better. Think about waterfalls, mountains, cliffs, valleys, ancient ruins — any unique topography along the route that will knock your breath away.
Logistics:
Weekend hikes are, well, short. You don’t want to spend hours traveling to and from your destination. Instead, look for hikes that have simple routes you can understand or take a guided tour that will worry about transportation and equipment.
Culture:
Many short hikes offer cultural immersion as part of the trek. Whether it’s passing through local villages or hiking among ancient ruins, there’s something special about combining nature with history.
A weekend trek forces you to be efficient with your time. There’s little room for wasted hours on the road or boring layover cities. You’re packing everything you want to do into just a couple of days, which is what makes these short getaways so rewarding.
What Makes A Good Weekend Trek
Alright, now it’s time to choose your next adventure.
When it comes to weekend treks, there are a ton of factors to weigh before picking a destination. Here are some questions worth asking when planning a hiking trip:
Do you want a challenge or a relaxing weekend? Are you looking to go alone or with a group? Is your destination more important than the trail itself?
These may seem like beginner questions, but they can really help you home in on your ideal weekend trek.
Once you have your answers, it’s time to get searching. Here are some tips to get you started:
- Check the trail conditions (weather, road closures, etc.) before you leave home
- Bring layers and pack snacks. You’ll definitely want some food with you and temperatures can vary greatly at higher elevations
- Start your hike early so you can make the most of the daylight hours
- Tell someone your route and when you plan to return
- Invest in a good pair of hiking boots — it’ll change your life
Speaking of life-changing…
Don’t forget to drink water! Dehydration is one of the number one causes for amateur hikers getting into trouble on a trail. It sounds basic, but far too many weekend hikers run into problems because they “forgot” to bring water.
Wrapping It Up
Short hiking trips on weekends are amazing. You don’t need weeks off of work to see the world and experience everything it has to offer.
With benefits that can improve your mental and physical health, weekend treks are worth taking, even if it’s just for a day.
Remember…
- More people are enjoying outdoor recreation than ever and short hiking trips are responsible for a lot of that growth
- Spending 30 minutes hiking can reduce stress hormones by up to 28%
- Short treks are amazing because they make you intentional with your time and energy
- Finding the perfect weekend trek comes down to knowing yourself and what you want out of the experience
Stop putting off that long vacation. Plan a weekend trip and get outdoors this season. Your body and mind will thank you!
