10 Gift Ideas for Hikers
The 10 Best Gifts for Hikers and Outdoor Enthusiasts
Finding a gift for a hiker is tricky. They already own all the gear they need, know their favorite brands by heart, and any random gadget will end up collecting dust in a closet.
Good news: the best gifts for trail lovers aren't found in the outdoor gear aisle. Here's our selection, curated by professional mountain guides at Altimood, for Christmas, birthdays, or any special occasion:
Budget-Friendly ($10-50)
- A beautiful book or trail memoir
- A magazine subscription
- Trail maps or guidebooks
- Outdoor film festival tickets
Mid-Range ($50-150)
Premium ($150+)
Priceless
1. A Beautiful Book or Trail Memoir ($15-35)
Adventure stories inspire future trips. Some favorites:
- Wild by Cheryl Strayed — The Pacific Crest Trail solo journey that became a movie
- A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson — The Appalachian Trail with humor
- The Living Mountain by Nan Shepherd — A poetic exploration of Scotland's Cairngorms
- Grandma Gatewood's Walk by Ben Montgomery — The first woman to solo thru-hike the AT
For those who prefer practical gifts, hiking journals let them record their adventures.
2. A Magazine Subscription ($25-50)
A gift that arrives in the mailbox multiple times a year. Top picks:
- Backpacker — The reference for trail enthusiasts
- Trail Runner — For those who run the mountains
- Outside — Adventure lifestyle and gear reviews
- Alpinist — For mountaineering and climbing enthusiasts
Each issue reminds them of who gave the gift.
3. Trail Maps or Guidebooks ($15-40)
A simple but treasured gift for anyone who loves planning their routes.
Gift a National Geographic Trails Illustrated map of a park they dream of exploring, or a detailed guidebook like those from Falcon Guides or Cicerone. Popular choices: the John Muir Trail, Haute Route, Tour du Mont Blanc, or classic day hikes in national parks.
4. Outdoor Film Festival Tickets ($15-50)
An immersion into the world of adventure for an evening or weekend. Major events in North America:
- Banff Mountain Film Festival — The gold standard, with touring shows across the US
- Mountainfilm in Telluride — Documentary films about adventure and environment
- ** 5Point Film Festival** — Celebrating purpose, respect, commitment, humility, and balance
- Reel Rock Film Tour — For climbing enthusiasts
A cultural outing that's different from the usual.
5. A Large-Format Photo Print ($50-200)
A permanent window to the trails they love. Have their best hiking photo professionally printed, or gift a print from a mountain photographer.
Perfect for decorating a home office or living room with memories of the wild.
6. A Mountain Hut Night ($80-150)
For those who've never experienced it: sharing a meal with fellow hikers, watching the sunset from the terrace, the silence of a night at altitude.
In the Alps, many refuges offer gift vouchers. In the US, consider reservations at iconic backcountry lodges or AMC huts in the White Mountains.
7. A Skills Workshop ($100-200)
Giving skills means giving independence. Ideas:
- Navigation course — Map reading, compass use, GPS basics
- Wilderness first aid — Life-saving skills for remote areas
- Leave No Trace training — Outdoor ethics and minimum impact
- Backcountry cooking — Meal planning and camp kitchen skills
A gift that's useful on every trip.
8. A Guided Hiking Adventure ($200-800)
Better than a gadget—an adventure. A day hike with a naturalist guide, a multi-day trek in a stunning range, or a unique experience like the French Alps with Altimood.
This is the most memorable gift on the list. For those dreaming of the Alps, Altimood offers guided experiences as gift cards.
9. A Personal Invitation to Hike Together (Free)
The simplest things are often the best. A handmade card with a promise of adventure:
This card entitles you to a weekend hiking trip with me—your choice of trail, I'll handle the logistics. Let's pick a date!— Your Hiking Buddy
Add a gas card or park pass to complete the gift.
10. Gifts to Avoid
If you haven't found inspiration above, here's what to skip—unless it's explicitly on their wish list:
- A backpack (what size? what features? what brand?)
- Hiking boots (the worst possible gift)
- Trekking poles
- A down jacket or rain shell
- A pocket knife
- A GPS watch
- A solar charger
- A camp stove or cookset
- A hammock
- A portable speaker (nature has its own soundtrack)
This gear must match the hiker's specific needs. Without a detailed list, you'll likely miss the mark.
Outdoor enthusiasts often have strong environmental values—a disposable gift is a thoughtless gift.
The Best Hiking Gift? An Adventure to Live.
Rather than an object, give a memory. For those dreaming of hiking in the French Alps, Altimood gift cards provide access to all our guided experiences in the Southern French Alps: bivouac, treks, snowshoeing... Custom amounts, valid for 2 years.
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