Of all the things I track, one of the most valuable things are my hiking adventures. Tracking has been a big part of my journey from going on short, simple, walks to tackling more arduous and challenging trails that include climbing over obstacles. Keeping track of my hiking trips encourages me to get out more and become more active. I record everything from trail conditions to who I went hiking with to the challenges I encountered. This has helped me better prepare for future trips including ensuring I pack the right equipment, bring adequate food and water, as well as focus on my fitness level to ensure I am physically fit enough to take on trails on my list of places to hike.

There is another reason to keep track of my hikes. As a student of history, I am obsessed with historical records. They offer insights into what life was like many years ago, events that shape the world we live in today and help us understand why things are the way they are. Through the writings of Herodotus, Lewis and Clark, and others who documented the world around them, we have gained a wealth of knowledge about the past. My hiking logs are a wonderful way for me to relive some of the most epic hikes I have been on and remember moments with friends and families while we were out on the trails.

Why You Should Track Your Hikes

Hiking takes you to incredible places. Being out in the woods, there is a lot to see and hear. There are tons of places to go hiking throughout Ontario. From the Bruce Trail to provincial parks to conservation areas to other hidden gems across the province, you are bound to find a trail or several that you will absolutely fall in love with. Writing down your discoveries, observations, and record of your hike in a journal or hiking log will help you keep track of what you see, trail conditions, birds you spotted, how you were feeling during your adventures, and other observations you want to record. This information will help you prepare for the next time you go there and share valuable insights with other keen hikers in your network.

For me, documenting my hiking adventures in a journal or a hiking logbook gives me the opportunity to reflect on my experience out on the trails. I love photography and hiking allows me to capture some epic photos. I rely on my notes to keep track of wildlife I come across, spots where I can set up to capture specific photos, and the best times to see certain things. I hike with my dog, Louie, so I also make notes on whether the trails are dog friendly, how he did on the hike, and the distance we traveled together. This information comes in handy when I revisit places as it allows me to be better prepared.

Getting a Log Book

Digital or good ole’ paper and pen? For me, it’s both. I personally really like writing in a notebook. But my notebooks contain notes about a variety of things so it’s not a great way for me to document and store hiking information in a single place. While I have tried to keep a book just for hiking, I have the habit of jotting down ideas as they come up. I keep a notebook and several pens in every pack, that way I always have something to mark down my observations. My favourite notebook of all time a the pocket-sized classic notebook by Moleskin. I like the texture of the paper and the small size makes it easy to transport. My go-to pen is the uni-ball vision elite. We have put together a free PDF logbook to help you get started.

When I get home from my hikes, I transfer my notes to my computer. I use Microsoft OneNote, but any note-taking or word-processing programs like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or others will also work. There are two main reasons I transfer my notes to the computer:

1. Have a backup of my notes; and

2. Add other information like photos or videos to provide more context about the trip.

What to Include In Your Logs

The best way to tackle this is by keeping it simple. Focus on the five W’s: Who, What, When, Where, and Why. For me, I make notes of who I went hiking with, the date of my hiking trip, the location, the purpose of the trip, and the distance I traveled. I also make notes of wildlife, notable places to take photos, plants, and a description of the landscape. I also make note of the trail conditions, weather, type of terrain, and how I felt during and after the hike. This helps me determine if I can do similar hikes and understand the type of training I need to do to ensure future hikes are better. Some people like to include drawings of the trails, and GPS coordinates of the trailhead. You can include as much or as little detail as you want. It’s your hiking log so what you include is entirely up to you. Answering the five W’s will provide you with a framework to recall your trip and capture important information that you can use in the future.

When Should you Log

When you want to write is entirely up to you. I personally like to jot things down as I go through my hike. I usually make notes in a paper notebook of wildlife that I saw, trees, plants, and a description of the landscape. When I get home, I transfer these to my computer. If you prefer to write down your thoughts at the end of your hike or when you get home, then do that. The most important thing is to make time to make notes of your adventure. Once you start writing things down, you will be amazed at how many things you were able to accomplish during your hike.

If you choose to share accounts of your adventures with the world, please consider posting a link to your website or blog in the comments below. We’d love to check it out. We look forward to reading about adventures around Ontario and the world. Happy trails!