TRAIL FOOD: MY CURRENT FAVORITES FOR DAY HIKES

I think most people agree, food tastes better on the trail! The math goes something like: Fresh air + feeling your heartbeat + jaw dropping views = best tasting food. Packing food for a day on the trail is one of my favorite parts of hiking and something I haven’t discussed much. Throughout the hiking season, I go through phases of what my favorite trail foods are. I usually pack a “main dish” and too many snacks. Below is a timeline of my favorite main dishes (typically sandwiches) I’ve packed this summer.

New Discovery- The Pizza Sandwich

In May to mid-June I was hooked on a simple sandwich that consisted of bread (gluten free for me), raw white cheddar or pepper jack cheese, and five (very specific) large pepperoni slices. My friend told me about this pizza sandwich combo back in March and it’s so good! Next time I go through the pepperoni and cheese sandwich phase, I will add mayo, banana peppers and maybe some arugula to elevate it even more.

My Favorite Turkey Sandwich

Mid-June to mid-July was my season of turkey sandwiches with bread & butter pickles, sprouts or arugula, cheese, jelly and a generous amount of mustard and mayo. To make sure the pickles don’t make the bread soggy I shake them off and put them under the sprouts. I swear you can never go wrong with a turkey sandwich!

The Classic PB&J

Mid-July to present day I am all in on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I typically toast the bread, slather peanut butter on both sides and finish it with so much strawberry or raspberry jelly in the middle that it can’t help but ooze out the sides. Yum.

Tried & True Overnight Oatmeal

During every season I love overnight oats. Oatmeal has been a breakfast staple for me for years. I’ll bring overnight oats or a sandwich depending on how I’m feeling as I’m packing the night before but in many cases, overnight oats win. In a mason jar I put: sprouted rolled oats, water, cinnamon, chocolate protein powder, blueberries, peanut butter, and top it with plain yogurt. Don’t forget a spoon!

Snack Additions

Along with my main dish, I bring snacks. I pack a lot of snacks and eat very few of them but I like having options in case I get hungry! Also, you never know if you’ll be on trail for longer than planned so it’s good to be prepared. Trail snacks I enjoy include:

• Dried fruit strips or dried fruit: mango, apricots, figs
• Granola bars or granola (homemade!): KIND bars, Perfect bars, CLIF bars, any other bar that looks good
• Crackers or chips: Rosemary almond flour crackers, rice cakes, white cheddar puffs
• An apple or apple sauce pouches
• Something sweet: Snickers bar, sour gummies, gummy bears, Peanut Butter M&M’s
• Beef jerky
• Electrolytes: LMNT or Liquid IV
• Coffee: homemade cold brew with milk in a mason jar

After I put my clothing layers in my daypack, I throw my main dish and snacks on top and hit the trail. Having trail food I look forward to makes the time on trail extra sweet! I hope you enjoy your favorite foods while you’re out there too.

Until the next tale… Happy trails.

-Hannah