Types Of Backpacking Trips
Different Styles Of Backpacking & Trekking
1- Loop trips
Backpacking loop trips are generally trips whose paths follow a loop pattern, meaning that you end up where you started the journey. Loop trips are ideal for a few reasons such as simplicity in transport- you end up exactly where you began so you don’t need a ride back to your car. These trips also offer ease of navigation if crossing trails are low to minimal. When you are on a loop trip you will often not cover the same ground twice which means you see more while hiking.
2- Relay trips
Relay style trips are great for using multiple types of vehicles or covering the same area on multiple trips. These type of strips offer variability and/or repeatability. Most commonly, relay trips combine two or more trails or methods of travel to cover more or various types of terrain than a loop or single transportation mode treks. The adventurer may be able to cover part of the trip by watercraft and get back to the start point by bicycle or on foot, for example.
2- Long distance trips
Long distance trips can mean being out for longer than usual, whatever this means to you. They could last from a few days to a few months or even years. Basically, the participant covers more ground than they would on another type of trip. Bikepacking has allowed many people to cover more ground than they would by foot in a smaller amount of time. Long distance style trips can also be done on foot or even utilize public transportation to get to different points as quickly or logistically efficient as possible.
3- Through hikes
Trips that begin at one point (point A) and conclude at a different point (point B) are generally referred to as through hikes. Most commonly known examples of these would be the Appalachian Trail (AT), Colorado Trail (CT) or Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), among many others. They can be done in any amount of time from a single day to any length of time. Longer routes often involve resupplying or sending your self resupplies through the mail or other delivery services.
4- Day hikes
Simply defined as a type of hike which can be complex in a single day. These types of hikes are generally limited in length to a few miles and often take no more than a few hours or less. Great for when you cannot get out into remote areas or if you cannot be out longer than a few hours for example. Day hikes offer ease of movement as they generally require a smaller amount of equipment than longer trips. Multiple transportation methods can be used on day hikes.
5- Hut to hut trips
With a focus on the experience of the adventurer. Hut to hut trips offer the ease of a day hike with a supplied and organized trek that allows the participant to travel as if they are on a day hike while covering the distance of a through hike. Usually these are a weekend to a few days in length. Commonly hut to hut trips utilize existing structures and constructed trails. The hiker will travel from one point to another by day and rest while enjoying supplied provisions and/or activities by night. Organizers on such trips may be actively involved with the hikers or as minimally present as possible.
6- Supplied trips
When you cannot make the entire trip in one supply, you need to consider a supplied trip. This form of trip involved one or more resupplies in it’s duration. You can conduct a supplied trip on a loop, through hike or any type of trip in order to stay out longer. Hikers may supply themselves or utilize others to supply them in route. Supplied trips provide the additional opportunity to carry less supplies to travel lighter or stay out for longer periods of time. Trips with supplied hikers can last anywhere from two or more days to any longer length of time.
