There's a moment on some hikes when you open your bag and wish you'd packed differently.
Perhaps your sandwich has been squashed, you've run out of your favourite snacks, or you're craving something savoury after a few too many sweet treats.
All avoidable with a little planning. Here's what to pack.
What makes good hiking food?
Enough energy. Walking uphill takes effort. Carbohydrate-rich foods like flapjacks, sandwiches and dried fruit are useful for keeping you going.
Easy to eat. Preferably with cold hands, standing up, possibly in the wind. Anything requiring complicated assembly or cutlery is probably staying in the bag or at home.
A bit of variety. Sweet snacks have their place, but you might appreciate something savoury after a few hours. Pack both.
As Mountaineering Scotland advises, eating little and often can help sustain energy throughout a long day on the hills.
What to pack for the trail
Nuts and seeds. Compact, energy-dense and easy to snack on between climbs.
Dried fruit. Apricots, figs or raisins. No peeling, no chopping, no fuss.
Flapjack. Oats, sweetness and plenty of energy. A hiking classic for good reason.
Oatcakes. A Scottish staple that makes a welcome change from sweet snacks.
Dark chocolate. For morale, obviously. Just pack it somewhere it won't get squashed.
Tempeh snacks. Here's where we come in.
At TEMPTÉ, we make thin, crunchy baked snacks with real tempeh, a traditional Indonesian food made from fermented soya beans.
In snack form, they're nutty, savoury and ready to eat straight from the bag. Exactly the sort of thing we fancy after a few hours on the hills.
We've taken TEMPTÉ on our hillwalks around Scotland, and our snacks have held up beautifully in our rucksacks. They tend to disappear pretty quickly once we stop for a bite, too. Safe to say they'll be coming along on future adventures.
It's one of the reasons we chose tempeh for our snacks: something savoury to enjoy wherever the day takes you.
What about lunch?
Wraps. Easy to pack and less awkward than a heavily filled sandwich. Peanut butter makes a convenient filling, or try hummus and roasted vegetables if you can keep them chilled.
Hard cheese and oatcakes. An excellent combination when you're taking a proper lunch break. Keep the cheese chilled until you're ready to eat.
And when TEMPTÉ launches, we'd argue our snacks deserve a place next to that cheddar. We've already discovered how well they get along with cheese.
How to pack your food
A few things make life considerably easier:
- Protect anything delicate. Soft fruit and easily squashed foods are better off in a small, rigid container.
- Keep chilled food cold. Scotland's colder weather helps, but don't assume your rucksack stays at fridge temperature. For foods that need refrigeration, use a cool bag with ice packs or choose alternatives that don't need chilling. Food Standards Scotland has guidance on keeping picnic food safe.
- Bring enough water. Plan for the distance, weather and effort involved. Don't rely on finding a refill point halfway up a hill.
- Carry extra food. Routes can take longer than expected, so keep something in reserve.
- Take your rubbish home. Yes, even the banana peel. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code is clear about leaving no litter or food scraps behind.
The short version
Pack food you'll actually want to eat. Something substantial for lunch, a mix of sweet and savoury snacks, plenty of water and a little extra in case the day runs long.
And when TEMPTÉ launches, we'd make room for a bag of our baked tempeh snacks. Because sometimes, a little savoury crunch is exactly what you want on the hills.
The flask of tea can come too. Especially if you're hiking in Scotland.
Keep reading
- Tempeh Crisps: What They Are and How They Taste
- Savoury Snacks With Protein That Aren't Meat
- Why We Make Snacks From Tempeh
- Why Some Snacks Leave You Hungry
- What to Put on a Cheese Board (That Isn't Crackers)
- The Best Dips for Tempeh Snacks
Curious what we’re doing with tempeh? Meet TEMPTÉ →
