What to Bring

The High Park Hiking Club hikes in areas near the city of Toronto. The hikes are suitable for a reasonably fit beginner. The following list is created on the assumption that you are on one of our trips.

If you are hiking on remote trails, if you are hiking on your own, you should be better prepared, and you should know what you are doing.

Hiking Gear

Hiking Boots: They should be comfortable. Good ankle support makes hiking up and down the escarpment much more comfortable. Good treads work well in muddy conditions. Waterproof boots are nice, and they work well in the winter too. Even in hot weather, you should wear heavy sweat socks. A good trick is to wear two pairs. Thin socks inside heavy socks slide a bit, preventing blisters. If the thin socks are polypropylene, they wick sweat away from your feet.
Water and/or other non-alcoholic beverages: Figure on bringing at least a liter of water, and even more on a hot day. In warm weather, consider freezing it. Leave your bottle in the freezer, overnight, with the top removed. Do not completely fill the bottle. This will allow the ice to expand a bit without breaking anything.
Lunch: There are no restaurants out in the woods.
Appropriate Clothing: In colder weather, you should bring warm, layered clothing, eg. underwear, a turtleneck or lighter shirt, sweater and/or a light jacket). You will get warmer as you start hiking, so plan on being able to manage your temperature. It can be colder up north than it is here in Toronto. It can be t-shirt weather here, and jacket and gloves weather up at Collingwood, where we hike sometimes. Keep an extra layer in your backpack. Rain ponchos have been known to become necessary. The fun hikes are often the rainy ones.
A knapsack or fanny pack: ...to carry your lunch, extra clothing and your water.
Money: ...for gas and dinner.