What to Buy and Pack for a Mountain Hike

A mountain hike needs more than boots and a packed lunch. Plan food and drinks per participant, then check navigation, rain protection, first aid and communication equipment before departure. Water bags, snacks and lunch packs are easy to underestimate, while emergency supplies are often discovered too late. Use the quantities below as a starting point and adjust them for the route length, forecast, group size and access to refill points.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Sports equipment

Topographic hiking mapsqty 6
Compassqty 6
GPS devicesqty 4
Walking sticksqty 12
Reflective vestsqty 8
Water bagsqty 30
Rain ponchosqty 30
Emergency blanketsqty 30
Whistlesqty 30
Headlampsqty 10
Directional signsqty 12
Map coversqty 6
Backpacksqty 6
Seat matsqty 30

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Triangular clothsqty 6
Emergency blanketsqty 10
Walkie-talkiesqty 6
Power banksqty 6
Emergency contact cardsqty 35

Equipment

Mobile phonesqty 4
Charging cablesqty 6

Furniture

Foldable tablesqty 3
Folding chairsqty 6
Waste binsqty 4

Catering

Coolersqty 6
Thermos flasksqty 6
Groceries
- Whole grain bread - 8 loaves
- Multigrain rolls - 36 pieces
- Wraps - 36 pieces
- Young cheese - 2 kilograms
- Cooked ham - 1,5 kilograms
- Chicken breast slices - 1,5 kilogram
- Hummus - 1 kilogram
- Peanut butter - 2 jars
- Jam - 2 jars
- Butter - 500 grams
- Cream cheese - 500 grams
- Cucumber - 8 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilograms
- Lettuce - 6 heads
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Apples - 40 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Grapes - 4 kilograms
- Muesli bars - 50 pieces
- Mixed nuts - 2 kilograms
- Raisins - 1 kilogram
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Snacks - 4 bags
- Chocolate bars - 40 pieces
- Still water - 60 liters
- Sparkling water - 12 liters
- Apple juice - 12 liters
- Orange juice - 12 liters
- Cola - 6 liters
- Cola Zero - 6 liters
- Isotonic drink - 12 liter
- Coffee - 2 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Sugar - 1 kilogram
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Lemons - 12 pieces
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Mayonnaise - 1 jar
- Ketchup - 1 bottle
- Napkins - 500 pieces
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Parchment paper - 1 roll
- Paper towels - 6 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Hand soap - 4 bottles
- Hand sanitizer gel - 6 bottles
- Wet wipes - 12 packs
- Tissues - 40 packs
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- Sponges - 12 pieces
- Bandages - 4 boxes
- Blister plasters - 4 boxes
- Disposable gloves - 2 boxes

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 40
Reusable platesqty 40
Reusable cutleryqty 40
Cutting boardsqty 4
Knivesqty 6

Kitchen

Water jugsqty 6
Picnic blanketqty 6

Cleaning

Trash bagsqty 50
Cleaning clothsqty 12
Washing-up tubsqty 2

Tips

Pack 1.5 to 2 litres of water per person for a full-day hike, plus extra capacity if there are no reliable refill points. Use coolers for drinks that need to stay cold and thermos flasks for hot drinks.
Allow 2 to 3 snack portions per person, such as fruit, sandwiches or energy bars, and add one extra portion for delays. Assemble lunch packs the day before so nobody is still preparing food at departure time.
Take one printed topographic map and one map cover for each group, plus a compass and charged GPS devices. Print the route maps at least one day ahead and keep a digital copy on two charged mobile phones.
Provide rain ponchos, emergency blankets and a whistle for every participant or hiking group, depending on your safety plan. Check the final weather forecast the evening before and again on the morning of the hike.
Charge walkie-talkies, mobile phones and power banks fully the night before, and pack charging cables with the equipment. Prepare emergency contact cards before departure; collecting missing contacts on the trail is too late.

Frequently asked questions

How much water do I need for a mountain hike?: Plan 1.5 to 2 litres per person for a full-day hike in moderate conditions. Carry more in warm weather or on routes without dependable water refill points.
How much food should I pack for a full-day mountain hike?: Pack lunch plus 2 to 3 snack portions per person, and add one spare portion for delays or a slower group. Prepare and portion the food the day before departure.
When should I check the weather before a mountain hike?: Check the forecast when selecting the route, then make the final check the evening before and again on the morning of departure. Pack rain ponchos even when the forecast looks stable.
How many first aid kits do I need for a mountain hike?: Use at least one complete first aid kit for each separate hiking group, and keep it accessible rather than buried in a backpack. Check the contents before departure and replace used or expired supplies.

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