Ciss Outdoors

Hot weather is often seen as ideal hiking weather. Blue skies, sunshine and dry ground can make for fantastic days outdoors. But higher temperatures also change how you prepare, what you wear and how your body responds. It is easy to underestimate the effect of the heat until you are feeling unusually tired, running low on water or wondering why a familiar distance feels much harder than expected.

Staying comfortable usually comes down to several small decisions rather than one major change. The route, start time, clothing and amount of water you carry can all make the day easier without turning it into a completely different day out.

This article covers:

Plan Around The Hottest Part Of The Day

Starting earlier or later can reduce the amount of time spent walking in the strongest heat, especially on routes with little shade. This can be more useful than focusing only on the forecast maximum, which may not reflect how the conditions will feel once you are climbing in direct sun.

For longer routes, it is worth thinking about where you are likely to be during the hottest part of the day. An early start is less helpful if it still places you on the most exposed part of the route in mid-afternoon.

Choose a Route That Suits the Conditions

Route choice is one of the easiest ways to make a hot day more comfortable. Woodland, lower-level routes and walks through glens can offer more shade than exposed ridges, while streams and lochs provide opportunities to cool down or refill water where it is safe to do so.

A shorter route can also be a better choice when temperatures are unusually high. Heat increases the effort required to maintain the same pace, so a distance that normally feels manageable may take longer and feel more tiring.

Dress For Comfort And Coverage

Breathable fabrics, lighter colours and a looser fit can all help with comfort. Clothing that sits close to the skin may feel noticeably warmer once you start sweating, while a little extra room allows more air to circulate.

Lightweight long sleeves and sun hoodies can work well in high temperatures because they provide coverage without relying entirely on sunscreen. When buying a sun hoodie, I deliberately chose a size larger than my usual. The extra room makes it feel cooler and less restrictive, particularly on long, exposed walks.

Hot weather can also cause feet and fingers to swell. Footwear, waistbands and cuffs that feel comfortable at the start of the day may become tighter after several hours, so this is worth considering when choosing clothing and adjusting laces or straps.

Warm layers and waterproofs still belong in the rucksack. A hot forecast does not remove the possibility of a sudden weather change, an unexpected delay or a long stop due to injury.

Carry More Water Than Usual

Water requirements can rise quickly in hot weather, particularly on steep or exposed routes. The difficulty is judging how much more to carry if there are no options to refill enroute.

I once set out to tackle three Munros on a very hot day with a full two-litre hydration bladder, expecting it to be enough. It ran out on the descent. That experience changed how I judge water for hot days, because two litres had sounded adequate until it was not.

Carrying extra water adds weight, but running out is far more disruptive. Where a route passes reliable water sources, a filter bottle or separate water filter device can provide another option without requiring all of the day’s water to be carried from the start.

Clear water is not necessarily safe water, so filtration or treatment remains worthwhile even in remote areas. Electrolytes can also be useful on longer days or when sweating heavily, although they do not replace the need to drink enough water.

Use Streams To Cool Down

Cooling down does not need to involve specialist kit. A Buff, cap or small cloth can be soaked in a stream and worn around the neck, head or wrists, where the cold water can provide some relief.

A Buff is particularly useful because it can also protect the back of the neck from direct sun. The same item can therefore provide coverage when dry and help with cooling when wet.

Combine Sunscreen With Physical Coverage

Sunscreen becomes harder to rely on over a long day because sweat, wiping your face and repeated contact with clothing can all reduce its effectiveness. Hats, sunglasses, Buffs and UPF-rated clothing reduce the amount of exposed skin that needs regular reapplication.

Any skin that remains exposed will still need sunscreen reapplied regularly throughout the day, particularly when you are sweating heavily.

The back of the neck, ears, hairline and edges of clothing are easy areas to miss. I once returned from a hot day with an oddly shaped patch of sunburn on the back of my neck after leaving a small gap between my sunscreen and clothing. It was a useful reminder that partial coverage can still leave very exposed areas.

Sunglasses are still useful on bright, cloudy days as well as sunny ones. Glare can remain uncomfortable through thin cloud, particularly around water, or pale ground.

The Heat Can Make Everything Feel Harder

Heat can make a familiar pace feel harder and increase the need for breaks. This does not necessarily reflect a loss of fitness or poor preparation; the body is working harder to regulate its temperature at the same time as it is walking uphill.

During a summer in Canada, I initially thought my fitness had disappeared because every hike or trail run felt much harder than expected. The main difference was the temperature. Once that was recognised, I could adjust my activities to not push myself too hard.

If The Heat Becomes More Than Uncomfortable

Feeling more tired in hot weather is one thing, but heat exhaustion and heatstroke need to be taken seriously. Mountaineering Scotland has guidance on recognising the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, what to do if someone becomes unwell in the hills, and when to call for help.

Related reading:

Sunday Afternoons Sun Tripper Cap Review: Compact Sun Protection For Hiking And Travel

Outdoor Adventures on a Budget: How to Save Money Without Missing Out