{"id":40707,"date":"2022-01-27T14:55:35","date_gmt":"2022-01-27T14:55:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/?p=40707"},"modified":"2025-01-11T23:40:20","modified_gmt":"2025-01-11T23:40:20","slug":"cross-country-walking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/","title":{"rendered":"Cross Country Walking: The Do\u2019s, Don\u2019ts, And Everything You Need To Know"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#What_Is_Cross_Country_Walking\" >What Is Cross Country Walking?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#Cross_Country_Walking_The_Basics\" >Cross Country Walking: The Basics<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#Finding_The_Right_Trail\" >Finding The Right Trail<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#Training_For_The_Walk\" >Training For The Walk<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#Time\" >Time<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#Food_Supplies\" >Food Supplies<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#Equipment\" >Equipment<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#Learn_Some_Basic_Survival_Knowledge\" >Learn Some Basic Survival Knowledge<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#Plan_Beforehand_For_Your_Sleeping_Arrangements\" >Plan Beforehand For Your Sleeping Arrangements<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#Choosing_The_Right_Gear\" >Choosing The Right Gear<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#Durable_Vs_Ultralight_Gear\" >Durable Vs. Ultralight Gear<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#Clothing\" >Clothing<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#Footwear\" >Footwear<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#Sleeping_Gear\" >Sleeping Gear<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#Shelter\" >Shelter<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#Learn_How_To_Navigate\" >Learn How To Navigate<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#Cross_Country_Walking_The_Risks\" >Cross Country Walking: The Risks<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#Wild_Animals\" >Wild Animals<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#Fatigue\" >Fatigue<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#Erratic_Weather_Patterns\" >Erratic Weather Patterns<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#Crossing_Streams_And_Rivers\" >Crossing Streams And Rivers<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#The_Bottom_Line\" >The Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you one of those free spirited people? Do you like spending time out in the wild, going down nature trails, and hiking? Or maybe you just want to get fit but the \u201ctraditional workouts\u201d are just not your thing. If your answer to these questions is yes, then it\u2019s time you learn about cross country walking.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2328&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Cross_Country_Walking\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Frame-1484579773.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1925\" height=\"1200\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Is_Cross_Country_Walking\"><\/span><b>What Is Cross Country Walking?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Short answer? Cross country hiking or walking is ideally hiking without any hiking trails. In this way, it\u2019s similar to cross country ski <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/walking-4-miles-a-day\/\">walking<\/a>. This experience delivers a new experience to a hiking trail that&#8217;s familiar to you. The added challenges and danger associated with cross country walking delivers the kind of adrenaline rush we all want to experience at some point.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cross country walking usually involves exploring uncharted grounds and as such, there&#8217;s also a natural safety concern that comes with it. See, when it comes to a well-established trail that has been maintained for a while, it&#8217;s fairly easy to stay safe. However, for a route that covers kilometers in the wild off-trail, you need to be extra careful.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That being said, there are certain primary guidelines and basics you need to observe to ensure your safety and that of your crew. We will discuss some of them below.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cross_Country_Walking_The_Basics\"><\/span><b>Cross Country Walking: The Basics<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In order to pull off a successful cross-country hike, you need to be well prepared. Now, this usually involves a wide range of activities, which we look at next:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Finding_The_Right_Trail\"><\/span><b>Finding The Right Trail<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cross-country walking is indeed all about exploration and the spirit of adventure. However, this doesn&#8217;t mean you become carelessly spontaneous and throw all caution to the wind. Even for a cross-country hike, you don&#8217;t just get to put on your backpack and look for trails along the way. At the end of the day, you&#8217;ll need a plan &#8211; a good one &#8211; to find a trail that best suits you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can start by looking up some of the best and safest hiking trails online. A simple Bing or Google search will provide you with lots of information that can help you choose a trail most suited for your needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You&#8217;ll be provided with information like its accessibility, navigation difficulty, and duration to complete the trail. Some specific websites will also give suggestions on the type of gear to bring along and even how the most effective way to carry them!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that you know what trail you&#8217;ll go with, it&#8217;s time you take a good look at the trail map. Look for any social amenities and be sure to check whether people are living around or just vegetation cover. Finally, look for the trail&#8217;s elevation details as this can affect how much time you spend on the trail. The general consensus is 45 minutes for every 1000 feet (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/trailsnh.com\/tools\/hiking-time-calculator.php\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Getting a hold of this information will significantly help in your <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/nordic-walking-benefits\/\">preparation process<\/a>. In addition to that, you&#8217;ll be able to establish whether the route is safe enough and start thinking about alternatives if it&#8217;s not.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2328&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Cross_Country_Walking\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-38551 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Frame-5847.png\" alt=\"cross country walking\" width=\"1152\" height=\"648\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Frame-5847.png 1152w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Frame-5847-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Frame-5847.png 1024w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Frame-5847.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1152px) 100vw, 1152px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Read More:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/walking-2-miles-a-day\/\">Is Walking 2 Miles A Day Enough For Weight Loss?<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Training_For_The_Walk\"><\/span><b>Training For The Walk<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you want to make it through the cross-country walk successfully and comfortably, then training is crucial. Your workouts should center around increasing your endurance, building a good base for walking, and wearing your long-distance walk gear.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To increase your endurance, try doing about 25 to 30 miles once or twice a week. Continue doing this for about a month or two before the hike; repeating it a week before to ensure your fitness is at the right level.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Focus more gradually increasing your endurance, not how fast you can complete the challenge. Your physical and mental stamina will greatly improve if you train using a steady consistent pace.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another important thing you need to work on is <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/types-of-walking-styles\/\">resource management<\/a>. Remember, you&#8217;re about to go on a long hike with the goal of covering it in a relatively short time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That being said, some of the resources that will help you become more efficient in your walk include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Time\"><\/span><b>Time<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sure, the idea of setting the fastest cross country walking record sounds appealing, but you should only try that if you\u2019re a pro. Planning how you spend your time can significantly lower the amount of general effort you use <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/nordic-walking\/\">during the hike<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While it usually looks like giving your all to save the most time during the early stages is the best strategy, experts have determined that it&#8217;s not. This will only lead to unnecessary exhaustion in the early stages of the walk. Maintaining a cross-country walking speed of about 2 to 3 miles per hour should be sufficient (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/6373702_Route_Choice_in_Mountain_Navigation_Naismith%27s_Rule_and_the_Equivalence_of_Distance_and_Climb\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That being said, try equally spreading out your time over the whole journey to increase your daily output while conserving as much energy as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Whether you\u2019re a workout beast or just a beginner making your first foray into the world of fitness and dieting \u2013 BetterMe has a lot to offer to both newbies and experts! Install the app and <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Cross_Country_Walking\">experience the versatility first-hand<\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2328&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Cross_Country_Walking\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-38526 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Frame-5802.png\" alt=\"BetterMe\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Frame-5802.png 960w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Frame-5802-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/Frame-5802.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Food_Supplies\"><\/span><b>Food Supplies<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember to carry healthy foods that will keep you energetic throughout the hike.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here&#8217;s what an ideal cross country walking diet would look like:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Breakfast: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oatmeal or some packed granola and chocolate bars for the road<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Lunch: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Honey and peanut butter sandwich or tuna<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Dinner: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rice and beans<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also ensure you carry lots of fruits, preferably dried ones since they provide more calories and in turn more energy. Sure, it may not always be possible to get a balanced diet throughout the hike. However, try to make it as healthy as possible by avoiding junk food.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You&#8217;ll also need to stay hydrated, so be sure to pack plenty of water, especially if the trail passes through a desert or where water is scarce. Also, ensure you make plans of how you&#8217;ll refill your water bottles when they run out. Energy electrolytes can also be useful especially in hot weather.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The other important thing about your food supplies is establishing an eating and resting routine. Take frequent breaks about once every two hours. Now, this may seem to be counterproductive. However, it will help you conserve a lot of energy and reduce any injury risk that may be caused by exhaustion.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Equipment\"><\/span><b>Equipment<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pack only what you need. A heavy backpack will only slow you down while forcing you to use up more energy to maintain your pace. In addition to that, organize your gear in such a way that it&#8217;ll occupy as little space as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another important thing when it comes to equipment is how you&#8217;ll handle and carry them. It&#8217;s advisable to use both a backpack and a stroller to carry your equipment; in that way, you can place your bag on the cart and push it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You should also take time to learn how to operate your gear. Now you don&#8217;t want to get lost and stranded simply because you couldn&#8217;t use a compass, do you?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2328&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Cross_Country_Walking\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-38508 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/5-16.jpg\" alt=\"cross country walking\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/5-16.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/5-16-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/5-16.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/5-16.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/5-16-1636x920.jpg 1636w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Learn_Some_Basic_Survival_Knowledge\"><\/span><b>Learn Some Basic Survival Knowledge<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Always keep in mind that despite knowing the path you&#8217;re going to use, <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/nordic-walking-disadvantages\/\">cross-country hiking<\/a> involves a lot of unknowns. As such, you should be conversant with common outdoor ailments like hypothermia and symptoms of dehydration, among others. Having this knowledge will help you handle such scenarios well should they arise.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Next, you should know how to deal with any wild animals you encounter along the way. Remember these animals are largely unpredictable and can attack if not handled properly. Finally, learn what to do when the weather changes and becomes hostile.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Basic first aid is a skill that&#8217;s crucial for everyone who is planning to go hiking. That&#8217;s because, most of the time, you&#8217;ll be exposed to scrapes, cuts, and bruises from logs, rocks, or wild vegetation. Knowing how to perform first aid can help you prevent injuries from escalating to something worse.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, you should always be mentally prepared for the hike and any unexpected events. This can really help you see the difference between a life-threatening and amazing adventure. All that, however, is summarized to this: <\/span><b>\u201cDon&#8217;t wait until you&#8217;re in a sticky situation to learn safety.\u201d <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember, it doesn\u2019t matter whether it&#8217;s the men or women walking cross country. Everyone is just as susceptible to injury if you become careless.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Read More:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/nordic-walking-technique\/\">Nordic Walking Technique, Benefits And Tips for Getting Started<\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Plan_Beforehand_For_Your_Sleeping_Arrangements\"><\/span><b>Plan Beforehand For Your Sleeping Arrangements<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Going for a cross-country walk can be a long and daunting journey. Chances are you&#8217;re going to spend a week or even weeks away from your house, which means you&#8217;ll need other sleeping arrangements. Of course, whenever this is brought up, the first thing that comes to mind is either a sleeping bag or a camping tent. That&#8217;s the easy part.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you start your hike, you&#8217;ll probably be using camping sites set along the trail and, of course, sleeping in your tent. Now while that&#8217;s okay, you want to try yard camping as you gain experience over time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yard camping is basically when you ask someone &#8211; probably a stranger &#8211; whether you can set up for the night in their backyard or garage. This method is also relatively cheaper than site camping and can help you save a few bucks if you&#8217;re on a budget. However, there are still some concerns <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/a-21-day-walking-plan-for-fat-loss\/\">surrounding yard camping<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For instance, why would anyone give a total stranger a spot in their backyard or garage to set up a tent? The trick is to always make yourself as presentable as possible while wearing a warm and friendly face while on the road. You should also only try speaking with people who understand what you&#8217;re doing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As time goes by, you&#8217;ll be able to tell people who can welcome you and people who won&#8217;t. You should, however, always explain yourself in a detailed and friendly manner, telling them exactly how they can help. Sometimes, if you&#8217;re lucky enough, in addition to a spot to pitch up your tent, you may even get some food and a place to sleep.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The logic is simple\u2013 spending nights in a hotel throughout your walk will be more expensive than yard camping. So if you can find someone to host you, let that be your first choice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The other option is secret camping. Here, you&#8217;ll basically wait for nightfall, set up your tent secretly, sleep and leave at dawn without a trace. While this method is increasingly becoming popular among long-distance hikers, there are still some legitimate concerns about it.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For starters, it&#8217;s not the wisest nor safest of decisions to go camping without anyone knowing your whereabouts. That being said, building secret camps may turn out to be a daunting task and, chances are, you won&#8217;t even get as much sleep due to the constant worry.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2328&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Cross_Country_Walking\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-69073\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Treadmill-Women-Cover-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Treadmill-Women-Cover-1.png 1920w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Treadmill-Women-Cover-1-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Treadmill-Women-Cover-1.png 1024w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Treadmill-Women-Cover-1.png 768w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Treadmill-Women-Cover-1-1472x920.png 1472w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Choosing_The_Right_Gear\"><\/span><b>Choosing The Right Gear<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your hiking gear should be ones that best suit the terrain and weather conditions of the trail you&#8217;ll be hiking on.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some key things you should keep in mind when deciding which gear to bring along:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Durable_Vs_Ultralight_Gear\"><\/span><b>Durable Vs. Ultralight Gear<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whenever you plan to go hiking, chances are you&#8217;re going to favor any ultralight gear you have. Now, there&#8217;s nothing wrong with that if you&#8217;re planning on going for a normal hike. However, durable gear will serve your needs better in a cross-country walk.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The thin materials used to make ultralight gear may not be able to handle the harsher conditions that come with cross-country hikes. Durable, however, isn&#8217;t similar to heavier. Heavy gear will only slow you down.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Dropping pounds by the dozens without putting yourself through the wringer is everyone\u2019s weight loss pipe dream. But what if we told you that the BetterMe app can make that happen? <a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/en\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2361&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Cross_Country_Walking\">Keep yourself in prime shape<\/a> with our fat-blasting workouts, delicious budget-sparing recipes, and body-transforming challenges with our app!<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Clothing\"><\/span><b>Clothing<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All you should be thinking about when picking your clothes for the <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/walk-to-lose-weight\/\">hike<\/a> is how protected you&#8217;ll be against the weather.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For instance:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Rainy conditions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Carry waterproof jackets.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Cold temperatures:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Carry clothes with warm base layers, gloves, warm socks, and insulated boots<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Hot temperatures and high altitudes:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Carry a hat, sunscreen, lip balm, and sun shirt<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2328&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Cross_Country_Walking\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-68300\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/4905-Calisthenics-for-Runners_-5-Key-Exercises-to-Build-Strength.png\" alt=\"Walking 15 Minutes A Day\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/4905-Calisthenics-for-Runners_-5-Key-Exercises-to-Build-Strength.png 1920w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/4905-Calisthenics-for-Runners_-5-Key-Exercises-to-Build-Strength-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/4905-Calisthenics-for-Runners_-5-Key-Exercises-to-Build-Strength.png 1024w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/4905-Calisthenics-for-Runners_-5-Key-Exercises-to-Build-Strength.png 768w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/4905-Calisthenics-for-Runners_-5-Key-Exercises-to-Build-Strength-1472x920.png 1472w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Footwear\"><\/span><b>Footwear<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your footwear should be able to protect you from blisters. Avoid going to the hike with a fresh pair of boots\u2013 break them in first. There are several boots you could pick from, ranging from trail runners to hiking boots, depending on the terrain. However, it&#8217;s advisable to use hiking boots since they&#8217;re well suited for these activities.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sleeping_Gear\"><\/span><b>Sleeping Gear<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your sleeping gear should be able to keep you warm at night. The rule of thumb is to check the weather forecast and subtract about five degrees from the minimum temperature. Now, use the resultant value to choose your sleeping gear. Consider using synthetic sleeping bags since they retain their insulation properties even if they get wet.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Shelter\"><\/span><b>Shelter<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tents are usually the best option when it comes to shelter. However, tarps and hammocks are also alternatives if you&#8217;ve tested them before and are sure of their reliability. Whichever option you decide to go with, ensure they are completely waterproof and windproof.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Learn_How_To_Navigate\"><\/span><b>Learn How To Navigate<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It goes without saying that signs to guide you along the route will be very scarce when you go hiking off-trail. By extension, this means you&#8217;ll have to be knowledgeable in using navigation tools.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First off, you&#8217;ll need to know how to use maps and GPS systems, seeing as these will probably be your best options. Why? You may not always have phone service throughout the trail and, even if you do, the mobile maps may not have <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/walking-plan-to-lose-weight\/\">sufficient information<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As such, you need to ensure that the trail you&#8217;re on is well-detailed by the navigation tool you choose. The probability of imprecisions is usually highly likely in these scenarios, so you need to learn how to navigate using landmarks. Orienteering classes that teach you how to handle maps and compasses could also be useful before the hike.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2328&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Cross_Country_Walking\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-37364 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/9-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"Fitness App\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/9-1-1.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/9-1-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/9-1-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/9-1-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/9-1-1-1636x920.jpg 1636w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cross_Country_Walking_The_Risks\"><\/span><b>Cross Country Walking: The Risks<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While cross-country walking is definitely adventurous and exhilarating, certain risks come along with it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some of them include:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Wild_Animals\"><\/span><b>Wild Animals<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encounters with wild animals are something every hiker encounters from time to time. However, in cross-country walks, you\u2019ll be traversing a wide set of terrain. This then means the probability of you encountering different types of wild animals is significantly higher. Given the unpredictable nature of wild animals, you should adequately research how to deal with such incidents.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Fatigue\"><\/span><b>Fatigue<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fatigue-related injuries are one of the leading causes of fatalities when hiking. Recent studies have indicated that many people injure themselves when descending a mountain compared to when climbing it. This is linked to the exhaustion that frequently follows climbing hilly areas (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S0379073820301146\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That being said, you should always ensure you only pick trails that are suitable for your fitness levels. In addition to that, try to maintain your focus as much as possible even when you\u2019re tired and carry adequate foods and drinks.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Erratic_Weather_Patterns\"><\/span><b>Erratic Weather Patterns<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Weather conditions can always change at any time, especially in hilly areas or along the coastline. In addition to checking the weather forecast, ensure you have a backup plan or an alternative low-level route you can use in case of bad weather.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Crossing_Streams_And_Rivers\"><\/span><b>Crossing Streams And Rivers<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When hiking out in the backcountry, chances are you\u2019ll come across a few rivers or streams. Now, there\u2019s no certainty that bridges with handrails will always be present.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whenever you\u2019re in a river crossing with rocks or a damp log over it, be careful enough to keep your footing. However, if you have to cross a ford (shallow point in a river) first, ensure that it\u2019s completely safe because even small rivers can have strong currents.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2328&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Cross_Country_Walking\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Frame-1484579773.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1925\" height=\"1200\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Bottom_Line\"><\/span><b>The Bottom Line<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cross country walking is one of the most exciting and adventurous activities we should all try at some point in our lives. However, it is not without risks. Always ensure you\u2019re adequately prepared and never underestimate nature when you\u2019re out on the trail. Rember, making such a decision is not only bad, but it could also be that last decision you make.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Are you one of those free spirited people? Do you like spending time out in the wild, going down nature trails, and hiking? Or maybe you just want to get fit but the \u201ctraditional workouts\u201d are just not your thing. If your answer to these questions is yes, then it\u2019s time you learn about cross [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":51,"featured_media":40710,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[128,265],"tags":[157,159],"coauthors":[125],"class_list":["post-40707","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-trainings","category-walking","tag-monday-workouts","tag-wednesday-workouts"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v20.2.1 (Yoast SEO v25.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Cross Country Walking: The Do\u2019s, Don\u2019ts, And Everything You Need To Know - BetterMe<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Are you planning to go for a cross-country walk? Here\u2019s everything you need to know before you set out, along with precautions and things you must remember.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, nofollow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Cross Country Walking: The Do\u2019s, Don\u2019ts, And Everything You Need To Know\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Are you planning to go for a cross-country walk? Here\u2019s everything you need to know before you set out, along with precautions and things you must remember.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"BetterMe Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-01-11T23:40:20+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/shutterstock_189678305.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1000\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"667\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Eve Chalicha\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@betterme\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Eve Chalicha\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"14 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Eve Chalicha\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/d0a366c176f1718c3f976799259f8d76\"},\"headline\":\"Cross Country Walking: The Do\u2019s, Don\u2019ts, And Everything You Need To Know\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-01-11T23:40:20+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/\"},\"wordCount\":2767,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/shutterstock_189678305.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Monday Workouts\",\"Wednesday Workouts\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Trainings\",\"Walking\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"articleBody\":\"<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Are you one of those free spirited people? Do you like spending time out in the wild, going down nature trails, and hiking? Or maybe you just want to get fit but the \u201ctraditional workouts\u201d are just not your thing. If your answer to these questions is yes, then it\u2019s time you learn about cross country walking.<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<a href=\\\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2328&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Cross_Country_Walking\\\"><img class=\\\"aligncenter\\\" src=\\\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Frame-1484579773.png\\\" alt=\\\"\\\" width=\\\"1925\\\" height=\\\"1200\\\" \/><\/a>\\r\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><b>What Is Cross Country Walking?<\/b><\/h2>\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Short answer? Cross country hiking or walking is ideally hiking without any hiking trails. In this way, it\u2019s similar to cross country ski <a href=\\\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/walking-4-miles-a-day\/\\\">walking<\/a>. This experience delivers a new experience to a hiking trail that's familiar to you. The added challenges and danger associated with cross country walking delivers the kind of adrenaline rush we all want to experience at some point.<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">Cross country walking usually involves exploring uncharted grounds and as such, there's also a natural safety concern that comes with it. See, when it comes to a well-established trail that has been maintained for a while, it's fairly easy to stay safe. However, for a route that covers kilometers in the wild off-trail, you need to be extra careful.<\/span>\\r\\n\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">That being said, there are certain primary guidelines and basics you need to observe to ensure your safety and that of your crew. We will discuss some of them below.<\/span>\\r\\n<h2 style=\\\"text-align: center;\\\"><b>Cross Country Walking: The Basics<\/b><\/h2>\\r\\n<span style=\\\"font-weight: 400;\\\">In order to pull off a successful cross-country hike ...\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/\",\"name\":\"Cross Country Walking: The Do\u2019s, Don\u2019ts, And Everything You Need To Know - BetterMe\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/shutterstock_189678305.jpg\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-01-11T23:40:20+00:00\",\"description\":\"Are you planning to go for a cross-country walk? 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She has a passion for promoting good health and well-being and believes that education is the first step towards changing lives for the better. For the past few years, Eve has been writing about topics such as nutrition, fitness, natural remedies, and more. Thanks to her background in Legal studies, she has a knack for research and always prioritizes scientific facts over hearsay. She is also very socially conscious and ensures that her pieces inform and empower readers. When she's not writing, Eve enjoys watching documentaries, going on nature walks, or just hanging out with friends.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/author\/evechalicha\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Cross Country Walking: The Do\u2019s, Don\u2019ts, And Everything You Need To Know - BetterMe","description":"Are you planning to go for a cross-country walk? Here\u2019s everything you need to know before you set out, along with precautions and things you must remember.","robots":{"index":"noindex","follow":"nofollow"},"og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Cross Country Walking: The Do\u2019s, Don\u2019ts, And Everything You Need To Know","og_description":"Are you planning to go for a cross-country walk? Here\u2019s everything you need to know before you set out, along with precautions and things you must remember.","og_url":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/","og_site_name":"BetterMe Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/betterme.health.coaching","article_modified_time":"2025-01-11T23:40:20+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1000,"height":667,"url":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/shutterstock_189678305.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Eve Chalicha","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@betterme","twitter_site":"@betterme","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Eve Chalicha","Est. reading time":"14 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/"},"author":{"name":"Eve Chalicha","@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#\/schema\/person\/d0a366c176f1718c3f976799259f8d76"},"headline":"Cross Country Walking: The Do\u2019s, Don\u2019ts, And Everything You Need To Know","dateModified":"2025-01-11T23:40:20+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/"},"wordCount":2767,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/shutterstock_189678305.jpg","keywords":["Monday Workouts","Wednesday Workouts"],"articleSection":["Trainings","Walking"],"inLanguage":"en-US","articleBody":"<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you one of those free spirited people? Do you like spending time out in the wild, going down nature trails, and hiking? Or maybe you just want to get fit but the \u201ctraditional workouts\u201d are just not your thing. If your answer to these questions is yes, then it\u2019s time you learn about cross country walking.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<a href=\"https:\/\/quiz.betterme.world\/first-page-generated-gender?flow=2328&amp;utm_source=Blog&amp;utm_medium=Blog&amp;utm_campaign=Cross_Country_Walking\"><img class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/Frame-1484579773.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1925\" height=\"1200\" \/><\/a>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>What Is Cross Country Walking?<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Short answer? Cross country hiking or walking is ideally hiking without any hiking trails. In this way, it\u2019s similar to cross country ski <a href=\"https:\/\/betterme.world\/articles\/walking-4-miles-a-day\/\">walking<\/a>. This experience delivers a new experience to a hiking trail that's familiar to you. The added challenges and danger associated with cross country walking delivers the kind of adrenaline rush we all want to experience at some point.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cross country walking usually involves exploring uncharted grounds and as such, there's also a natural safety concern that comes with it. See, when it comes to a well-established trail that has been maintained for a while, it's fairly easy to stay safe. However, for a route that covers kilometers in the wild off-trail, you need to be extra careful.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">That being said, there are certain primary guidelines and basics you need to observe to ensure your safety and that of your crew. We will discuss some of them below.<\/span>\r\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><b>Cross Country Walking: The Basics<\/b><\/h2>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In order to pull off a successful cross-country hike ..."},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/","url":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/","name":"Cross Country Walking: The Do\u2019s, Don\u2019ts, And Everything You Need To Know - BetterMe","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/dev.betterme.world\/articles\/cross-country-walking\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/dev.cdn.betterme.world\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/shutterstock_189678305.jpg","dateModified":"2025-01-11T23:40:20+00:00","description":"Are you planning to go for a cross-country walk? 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