Knee Pain After Hiking: 9 Potential Causes and Treatments
Tired of hitting the trail with knee pain? These are the most common causes of hiker’s knee, along with the best ways to treat and prevent it.
11 Best Hiking Movies to Inspire your Next Adventure
Looking to get lost on an imaginative hiking trail this winter? Whether you want to laugh, contemplate, or re-live an epic adventure, there is a movie for you on our list!
Best Hiking Books: Thrilling, Touching, and Inspiring Tales
Looking to get lost on an imaginary hiking trail this winter? Whether you’re trip planning for your next thru hike or simply enjoy a short walk in the woods, there is a hiking book on our list for everyone!
Best Hiking Watch For The Trail Less Traveled
Tired of fooling around with paper maps and/or losing your way on the trail? If so, it’s time to invest in a great hiking watch! In this guide, we show you 10 of our favorites.
Hiking for Weight Loss: Does it Work? (and How You Can Do It)
If you want to lose weight, forget the gym and head for the woods! Hiking is fantastic exercise that can help you shed some unwanted pounds. In this guide, we offer loads of tips on how you can burn more calories hiking and turn your next trek into a full body workout.
Hiking Terms: An A-to-Z of All Things Hiking
Ready to get down with the lingo? In this guide, you’ll find a list of over 150 terms that every self-respecting hiker ought to know!
What is Scrambling in Hiking? A Beginner’s Guide
Scrambling is a hiking-climbing hybrid that lets you enjoy some of the thrill of rock climbing without quite so much risk. Learn more about scrambling and how to do it safely in this guide!
Backpacking With a Dog: 16 Tips for Canine Adventures
Keen to take your furry friend along on your backpacking adventures? We’ve got you covered! Our 16 tips will ensure human and hound alike stay safe, healthy, and make the most of their trips together!
What is Via Ferrata? And How to Tackle Your First Route
In this guide, we reveal all you need to know about via ferrata, including its history, how to do it, and where to find the best routes.
Best Dogs for Hiking and Camping: 15 Breeds That Love to Hike!
If you love hiking and spending time outdoors, what better way to share the fun than with a canine companion at your side? But which breed is best? Find out in this guide!
Hiking in Hot Weather: 9 Tips to Beat the Heat
Hot temperatures can be oppressive and even dangerous while hiking… but only if you aren’t prepared! Learn how to stay safe and have fun in hot weather with these 9 easy-to-follow tips.
Best Dog Backpack for Hiking: 7 Top Packs for Your Pooch
Carrying too much stuff? Have your furry trail companion share the load with his/her very own doggy backpack! Learn all about the top dog backpacks and how to choose the right one for your pup.
Best Tent For Camping with Dogs: The Ultimate Guide
Not just any old tent will cut the mustard when camping with your canine. To ensure human and hound are both fully catered for on your camping adventures, check out our guide to the top tents for camping with dogs!
Best GPS for Hiking and Outdoor Adventures: Our Top 9 Picks
Backcountry navigation is so much simpler with a GPS device. In this straight-talkin’, no-nonsense guide, we’ll be sharing reviews of our favorite GPS devices and helpful tips on how to choose the right model for your tastes and budget.
Why Do My Hands Swell When I Hike?
Ever felt your hands get puffy while hiking and you don’t know why? Find out the answer and some useful tips for preventing sausage fingers in this informative guide.
Compass Declination: What is it & How Do You Adjust For It?
Unsure how to adjust for magnetic declination? Learn why it matters and how it’s done (with both an adjustable and non-adjustable compass) in this simple, straight-talking guide.
Best Gifts For Hikers: 32 Top Ideas
Treat the hiker in your life to something special with one of the awesome gifts on our list, which includes everything from gadgets and stocking stuffers to hiking boots, tents, backpacks, and more…!
UTM Coordinates And UTM Grid Maps
In this guide, we teach you all the ins and outs of the UTM system, including what all those numbers mean and why this system is now becoming the go-to of hikers across the country.
Rock Cairns: What Are They (and What’s All the Fuss About)?
In recent years, a bit of a polemic has arisen over whether or not cairns are a force for good or bad. In this post, we provide a brief history of the cairn and delve deeper into the controversy.
Best Dog Sleeping Bag for Camping
A good night’s sleep is just as important for you as it is for your furry friend! While camping, keep your canine companion safe and warm at night with our top choices for dog sleeping bags.
How to Train for Hiking: Tips, Advice, and How To Get Started
Need help training for hiking but don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered. Read on to get top tips that you can use to develop your fitness routine for the mountains.
Hiking While Pregnant: The Ultimate Trail Guide
Looking for tips on how to stay safe and hike while pregnant? We have some suggestions! Check out our guide on how to continue enjoying the wild outdoors as both a mom-to-be and an adventurer.
Map Triangulation: Find Your Location (Easily & Accurately)
Learn the basics of how to locate your position using triangulation and you should never be lost for too long again!
Average Hiking Speed – How to Calculate & Why It’s Important
Knowing your average hiking speed will help you plan, pack & hike better. This guide will take you through how to calculate your speed as well as what this means for your hike.
Mountain Climbing for Beginners: 7 Tips and 6 Peaks For Novice Climbers
Ready to start tackling terrain that’s a little more vertical? In this guide, we tell you how to go about it with 7 expert tips and 6 suggestions for your first big climb.
Hiking with Kids, Toddlers & Infants (without Tantrums)
Hiking with kids can be simultaneously magical and exhausting for all involved. Read on for ideas and tips to ensure your outdoor adventures are eventful for all the right reasons!
Dog Hiking Gear: Keep Your Dog Happy (and Safe!) on the Trails
There’s no better way to spend a day outdoors than hiking with your furry friends! Take a look at our guide to all the essential hiking gear for dogs you’ll need for a fun and safe trip.
Best Hiking Apps for Outdoor Adventures
Looking for great navigation apps for all your hiking adventures? We’ve got you covered! In this post, you’ll find 13 awesome apps that’ll satisfy all your navigational needs!
Best Dog Backpack Carrier for Hiking: Top 6 Pup-Approved Rides for Tired Paws
If you think dog carriers are just for fashion or airplanes, think again! Keep your hiking buddy safe and happy with our top recommendations for dog backpacks.
Best Compass for Hiking: 2022 Update
An essential for the outdoors, picking the best compass for hiking is simple with our hands-on reviews of the top models.
What to do if you get lost in the woods
Over 2000 people annually get lost in the woods – in the USA alone! Find out how to not to become part of that statistic with our guide.
Hiking for Beginners: Start Hiking with Confidence
Any new endeavor can seem intimidating, but don’t worry. We’ve put together our Hiking for Beginners guide so you won’t make the same mistakes we did.
Hiking in the Rain: How to Stay Dry and Still Have Fun
Wet weather doesn’t have to put a damper on your hiking or backpacking trip! If you know how to plan, what to pack and bring the right attitude you can have a fantastic time. Learn how with My Open Country.
What to Take on a Day Hike: Essential Hiking gear Checklist
When getting our hike on in three-season conditions, a number of factors combine to confuse matters when it comes to choosing our gear. We’ll cover all the essential items you need to pack, offer a few tips on how to use them, and also throw in a handy hiking gear list for you to customize and print/download
Best Hiking Umbrella For All-Weather Protection
Rain jackets get all the glory, don’t they? No more! In this comprehensive buyer’s guide, we’ll introduce you to another highly practical and trail-worthy alternative that’s also mightily handy for sun protection, too.
Hiking in Cold Weather: Advanced Tips & Hacks
In this straight-talking guide, discover how you can become an all-season, all-weather hiking warrior with our easy-to-follow and invaluable insights.
How to Use a Compass Correctly
The key to knowing where you are in the backcountry is learning how to use a compass correctly. We take you step-by-step through how to do just that.
Navigation games
Suggested Exercises OK, so I read the pages, and I am going to teach kids this, what do I do? This page has a few suggested exercises, and this page…
How to Use a Compass and Map
While using a GPS may seem the easy way to navigate the wild, accidents happen and batteries run out. Learn to use a map & compass so you never get lost. Learn how with our in-depth guide.
5 Excellent Reasons Why You Should Learn Map Reading
Thanks to smart devices, true map reading is becoming less prevalent – we give 5 reasons why learning to map read is still an important skill to learn.
There’s a Bubble in My Compass: Not an Issue? Or Time to Go to the Store?
So, your compass has developed a bubble? Learn why this happens, if it’s a problem (or not) and how to remedy it.
What are the different types of hiking navigation devices?
Hikers these days have some choice in navigations tools – we pick apart the pros & cons of different types of navigational devices.
Navigation Training: Topographic Map Symbols and Colors
Key to knowing where you are is understanding the topographic map symbols in front of you. Check out our 101 guide to learn more.
Orienteering Basics: Beginners Guide to Competitive Navigation
Interested in learning the basics of Orienteering? We run you through what to expect, how to learn the key skills and how to join an orienteering club.
How to Navigate Without a Compass – 7 Methods to Find Your Way
Hopefully, it never happens to you, but learning how to navigate without a compass is a useful skill. Pick up 7 ways to improve your wilderness navigation.
Whiteout, Fog and Darkness: How to Navigate in Low Visibility
While prevention is better than cure. Learning How to Navigate in Low Visibility is a useful skill. Learn how with our tips.
How to Follow a Trail: A Guide to Hiking Trail Markers & Blazes
Understanding trail markers and blaze will help you navigate the backcountry more easily – we give a quick run down on some trail knowledge.
How to Find North Without a Compass: Five Ways to Find True North
How to find north can be a useful skill to possess if you find yourself up a creek without *ahem* a compass. Learn how with our guide.
How to Plan a Hiking Route: 5 Steps to a Perfect Route
Plan your next Hiking Route easily with our step by step guide to helping you choose the best route for your next trip.
Walking on Roads: 13 Safety Tips for Hikers
Walking on roads is sometimes a necessity when following your route. Hiking on a busy road is dangerous, so check out our advice on how to stay safe.
How to Orient a Map: Navigation 101
One of the most basic navigation skills, we’ll take you step-by-step through the two methods on How to Orient a Map
How to Improve Sense of Direction: 5 Tips to Follow the Trail Home
How to improve your sense of direction? If your a seasoned backcountry pro or struggle finding your way out of the mall, we have awesome tips to help you out.
Bushwhacking: 35 Off-Trail Navigation Skill Tips
Bushwhacking successfully (and enjoyably) is an advanced backcountry skill – learn something new with our tips on how to navigate “the bush” painlessly.
How to Use a Hiking Altimeter: 5 Awesome Tips to Improve Your Wayfinding Skills
Owning a hiking altimeter, and fully understanding how to use it are two very different things. Learn how to get the most out of your altimeter before your next trip.
How to Fix a Compass: Gear Repair 101
Erratic compass readings can lead to disaster when out in the wilds. Learn How to check and How to fix your compass with our guide.
The Beginners Guide to Navigating by the Stars
Navigating by the Stars is a handy tool to either impress or to save your skin in a pinch. Learn the basics of celestial navigation with our guide!
71 Inspirational Hiking Quotes to Get You Motivated
Don’t look any further for outdoors inspiration! We have collected together over 70 hiking quotes from Sir Edmund Hillary, John Muir and my friend Bill to help inspire and motivate you to leave your comfy chair and get into the wild.