5 tips to keep hiking once the holidays are ove

The holidays are coming to an end. Between getting back to work, the kids going back to school and your schedule filling up, hiking can sometimes slip down the priority list. Too bad, because September is actually a great time to hit the trails: fewer people, milder temperatures and softer light that can completely transform the landscape. So, how do you keep getting out there despite the back-to-routine rush? Here are 5 of our favorite tips for making the most of your time outdoors this fall.

1. Block out time before your calendar fills up

The classic back-to-routine trap: letting your calendar fill up on its own (meetings, appointments, back-to-school, drinks with friends…) and telling yourself you’ll find time to go hiking later. Spoiler alert: that time never magically appears.

The easiest solution is to plan your hikes in advance, just like any other appointment. A regular slot every week, a half-day at the weekend or even an evening… Whatever works for you, the key is to add it to your calendar before everything else takes up all the space.

2. Make the most of the still-long days

At the beginning of September, the sun still sets around 8 p.m. That gives you a precious window to enjoy the mountains during the week. A late-afternoon hike after work is still very doable for a few more weeks. A short loop, a summit close to home or simply a few hours on the trails: you don’t need a full day to enjoy being outdoors.

3. Go for shorter, more regular outings

During the holidays, it’s easy to get used to big days out: 20 km, a summit, a night under the stars… Once you’re back to your usual routine, that pace can be harder to keep up. Rather than giving up on hiking altogether, simply adapt the format.

A 2- or 3-hour hike every week will be much easier to maintain over time than one big hike a month that you end up cancelling because you can’t find the time. You don’t need to climb 1,500 m to make it count. The important thing is to get outside.

4. Turn hiking into a regular date

A hike planned on your own is always easier to cancel. When someone is waiting for you at the trailhead, it’s much easier to stay motivated. Invite a colleague or a friend, or join a hiking group. You can even make it a regular thing, like every Wednesday evening or every other weekend.

And if you prefer having something already organized, check out your local Club Alpin Français (CAF). Group outings are usually planned in advance, meaning less time spent organizing and more chances of actually getting your hiking boots on.

5. Plan your route in advance

When time is tight, one of the biggest obstacles can sometimes be… figuring out where to go. Spending an evening searching for a route, comparing distances, elevation gain, water sources and trail conditions can quickly put you off before you’ve even left.

With Whympr, you can scout your hikes in advance, check important details like elevation gain and water sources, and save them so you can easily find them when you need them. That way, when a free slot opens up, there’s no need to start from scratch: choose your route and go.

In summary

Getting back to your usual routine doesn’t mean giving up hiking. You just need to adapt your habits a little: make the most of the last long days, opt for shorter outings, block out time in your calendar, hike with others and plan your routes before you’ve even put your boots on.

Five simple habits to keep enjoying the trails and maintain the momentum you built up over the holidays. Because hiking season is far from over.