Why you should overnight hike
- Holly Hume
- Aug 5
- 3 min read
Getting outdoors for a multi-day adventure truly is the best way to appreciate nature. There's nothing like immersing yourself in the flow of the natural world, rising and sleeping with the sun, carrying everything you need on your back on an overnight hike.
Day adventures are a great way to explore without having to get all the gear, or carry a heavy pack. However, those adventures are limited to how far you can go in just 12 or so hours. Multi-day expeditions open you up to a world of true wilderness and isolation, going where no vehicles have ever been, and the only humans those who have made the effort to get there.
We get that it can be a tough gig, carrying all your stuff and keeping it organised, but here's why we think it's still worth it ...
Camping at Acacia Flats in the Grose Valley The sun rising at Little Beach campground on the Bouddi Coastal Walk The sun going down at Canoe Creek beach in the Wollemi National Park
Overnight hiking: Reach the coolest spots
Some of the very best places in the natural world can only be accessed on foot, with no option to reach them in one day. This means only those brave enough to shoulder a pack and hit the trail will ever see those views IRL. These areas are often remote, far away from the crowds and hustle of urban life. You'll find yourself slowing down, becoming one with the landscape you're travelling through and truly escaping the modern world on an overnight hike.
Overnight hiking: Solitude
Whether you're truly hiking solo or with a small group of friends, there's something special about the solitude you'll find on an overnight hike. You may meet others on the trail, depending how remote you are, or you could feel like the only ones left on the planet.
Overnight hiking: Bonding
There's something so special about how quickly you bond with a group on an overnight hike. You're essentially living together, cooking, sleeping and going to the toilet in the same spaces - nothing will break the ice like telling your crew you need a minute to go for a dump in the bush. From inside jokes to unique experiences you share together, by day two you'll be bonded for life. From a hilarious fall someone takes into a river, to a stunning sunrise you can't quite believe is real - sharing these moments together makes everything more tangible.
Overnight hiking: Weather events
When you're on trail you can rise and fall with the sun, meaning you're just one zipped tent door away from catching every sunset and sunrise. If you're camping in a cool spot you get to see the first rays of dawn break over the horizon, or watch it go down in a spectacular riot of colour. From brief rainbows after a rain storm, to star gazing around the campfire, you get to truly immerse yourself in the flow of nature on an overnight hike.
Overnight hiking: Digital detox
Getting away from the internet is becoming increasingly difficult. Even on an overnight hike, you have satellite services linking you back to the modern world if you wish. It is however, one of the very best opportunities to tell your loved ones you'll be out of touch for a few days, switch off the mobile and disconnect from screen time. On an overnight hike there's so much more to see than just the screen of your phone. Scrolling will become irrelevant when you're focused on wild swimming, building campfires and spotting wildlife.
Overnight hiking: Enjoy campsite life
Camping on an overnight hike can sometimes be the very reason you're there! Some of the best campsites in the world are accessed on foot and if you can put the effort in to get there, you'll be rewarded with a night in somewhere you'll never forget. The tranquility of nestling on the bank of a river, the fun of foraging for wood for the evening fire and sitting quietly to spot wildlife - there's so much to take in. From pitching your tent next to a set of wonderous pools, to setting up on a cliff with the most spectacular view; they're the nights and the mornings which make the walking worth it.
Overnight hiking: How do you know unless you've tried?
All that being said, overnight hiking isn't for everyone. It's sometimes physcially challenging, mentally daunting and requires a much higher level of safety and preparation. For some, they try it and decide they're better off on a trips - but how will you know until you've tried it at least once?
Cool Girls Club encourages every woman to get out into nature and give overnight hiking a go at least once in their lifetime. Hanging with the girls, sharing unique moments and epic views. That's what we think truly living is!
If you're looking to book your first overnight hike, check out our event page. Nature is calling - will you answer?
