We all have that one friend or family member who likes nothing more than a long walk in the countryside. From dramatic coastal walks to multi-day hikes in the highlands, Britain is a playground for ramblers. To help your loved ones explore the nation to its fullest, we’ve put together a list of the best gifts for walkers.
Below is a combination of useful items to help them get the most out of their walks, including cosy fleeces for chilly walks and books and gift subscriptions to help inspire. We have also included sustainable gear for those looking to make greener choices, as well as a number of reviewed items.
If you’re not sure where to begin on your hunt for the perfect gift, our essential hiking list outlines the must-have gear.
So whether they just like a leisurely Sunday stroll or plan to climb every mountain in the British Isles, here are some of the best gifts for walkers and hikers.
Jump to gifts for walkers for:
Best gifts for walkers in 2024
Under £10
Official Personalised OS Map
Buy from Ordnance Survey
A custom-made OS map is a great way of celebrating a walk or location that has particular meaning to you. Starting at £7.99, the maps are able to be bought either as a folded map or flat ready to be displayed. Ordnance Survey allow you to pick a location and personalise the map with a name or message.
All Trails Gift Subscription
Buy from AllTrails (£2.99 a month)
The AllTrails app allows hikers, mountain bikers and runners access to over 200,000 maps. You can make use of the navigation tools, plus there are lots of reviews from fellow hikers so you can find a well-suited trail for your group.
The company offers the AllTrails gift subscription — a present the walkers in your life can enjoy for years to come.
Rite in the Rain All Weather Pocket Notebook
This small pocket notebook is for those who love to sketch or take notes during their ambles. This 100% recyclable wood-based paper sheds water, moisture and dirt, so you can make notes even in the worst of weathers. It is also compact enough to fit into any jacket pocket.
Under £20
Lifeventure Thermal Mug
For winter walkers who enjoy a tea break. Stainless steel, leak-proof, and available in 21 different colourways, including 'matt ice blue' (pictured).
If you're interested in adopting a sustainable approach to gift-giving, discover inspiring ideas in our guide to the best reusable wrapping paper.
Extremities Insulated Waterproof Sticky Power Line Gloves
With the combination of a warm insulated layer and a waterproof membrane, these gloves should keep your hands both warm and dry. The sticky silicone grid pattern on the palm and fingers of the gloves is designed to help with dexterity and grip when out in all weathers. The long cuff should keep out any draughts, too.
For more glove suggestions for walkers, read our detailed review feature.
Nebo Lil Larry 250 Lumen Pen Light Torch
Buy from Nebo (£12.99).
Weighing just 90g, the Nebo Lil Larry torch is small enough to slide into a pocket. It is sturdy, too, with a shock and corrosion-proof anodized aluminium body and recessed LED housing so it won’t get broken on your adventures. There are three light modes; high, low and emergency red flash.
Find more camping gadgets in our list of favourites.
Short Walks in Beautiful Places by National Trust
We’re all guilty of falling into a rut of walking our favourite routes each week. Short Walks in Beautiful Places by National Trust contains over 100 British walks to help find new walks and explore more of the countryside. Information about facilities, children’s activities, local restaurants and transport links are also included.
Looking for somewhere to stay this festive season? Browse our roundup of Devon cottages.
Buff Headband
This fun and practical headband is an ideal gift for walkers looking to add a splash of colour to their hiking wardrobe.
Explore our list of eco-friendly outdoor gear from some of the most sustainable brands.
Under £50
SmartWool Hike Light Crew Socks
A good pair of hiking socks can prevent rubbing, blisters and stop your feet getting too hot or cold. Made from a Merino wool rich blend, these socks should keep your feet warm, while the arch brace should keep the sock in place and provide additional support. These socks come with light cushioning that is designed to keep you comfortable on day hikes. SmartWool socks are available in men’s, women’s and unisex styles.
Pair with our selection of best walking boots and best walking shoes.
Black and Blum Stainless Steel Bento Box
Enjoy lunch on the go with this stylish stainless steel lunch box from Black and Blum. On review, the nifty and stackable model proved to be a durable and leakproof design, perfect for walkers looking to enjoy a tasty lunch with a view.
For more details, and more options, check out the best lunch boxes, reviewed by our team.
Rab Ridge glove
Warm and wind-resistant polyester-wool gloves, with soft leather lining for durability. The tips of index finger and thumb are touchscreen-compatible.
Thermos King Can
Amblers, anglers, campers and gardeners will love this thermal mug from Thermos. As one of the chart toppers in our heat retention test, it's a great choice for enjoying a hot cuppa half way through your hike.
The brand's stainless steel food flask is another solid choice, ideal for picnic enthusiasts.
You can find more tried and tested travel mugs in our roundup.
Craghoppers Spindle Half Zip Fleece
Buy from Craghoppers (€44.95)
Warm unisex fleece in on-trend retro style — a great option for a post walk pub trip! Made of recycled materials. For more details read our full length review of this and many other fleeces.
Napapijri Mountain Beanie
Buy from Asos (£23.00).
Nordic style from an Italian company: in this thick knitted beanie, your loved one will be raring to brave the hills this winter.
Montane Minimus Stretch Ultra Waterproof Cap
Buy from GO Outdoors (£27.00).
Water-resistant but breathable cap for hikers and trail runners, which weighs a featherlight 35g.
For more waterproof gear, have a look at our best lightweight walking jackets or round-up of the best waterproof trousers.
Craghoppers Kiwi Classic Bum Bag
Buy from Craghoppers (£28.00).
When you want to travel light, this is just big enough for essentials. Made of a tough polyester fabric, it has two zipped pockets and a key loop.
If you're interested in adopting a sustainable approach to gift-giving, discover inspiring ideas in our guide to the best reusable wrapping paper.
Ruffwear Quencher Portable Fabric Dog Bowl
For the dog-walker in your life: available in three colours (blue moon, meltwater teal and pumpkin orange), the Ruffwear Quencher is a fabric dog bowl that is lightweight and can be easily folded up and stored away. Features include a waterproof lining, reflective trim and it is machine washable.
Personalised Hiking Boot Bag
Buy from Not on the High Street (£24.00).
A great way to keep your car mud-free is with a hiking boot bag. This one from Not on the High Street can be customised with a name or initials for that extra touch. The embroidery is available in six fonts and a massive 25 colours including slate grey, duck egg blue and deep red.
Collapsible Camping Kettle
Knowing a hot cup of tea is waiting for you at the top of a summit is quite the motivator and reward. Weighing 200g, this collapsible silicone kettle from Sea to Summit is lightweight and durable. It can also be used as a pot to heat food if you fancied a hot lunch stop. It can boil 800ml of water so enough for a couple of cups. Its foldable nature makes it easy to pack.
Under £100
Hydro Flask Wide Mouth with Flex Chug Cap
A great bottle for a short day hike, this Hydro Flask model is light for its size and offers a durable, and good-looking, design. We had no issues with leaks on test, so you can pop it in your backpack and hit the hills with confidence. Plus, as an insulated bottle, it comes in handy for a half-way tea.
Read our full Hydro Flask Wide Mouth with Flex Chug Cap review.
Women's CO2 Renu Half Zip Fleece
Offering a charming chalet-chic look, this lovely fleece from Craghoppers has a compact feel so it's a nifty number for wearing underneath a waterproof jacket if you're on a drizzly stroll. The elasticated cuffs and hem result in a snug, yet not restrictive fit, and we're a fan of the bold stripe down the side.
Black Diamond Trail Cork Trekking Poles
These easily-adjustable walking poles proved instantly comfortable on test. A handy gift for those looking to improve balance and stability on uneven ground.
For more walking poles head across to our comprehensive best walking poles list.
Deuter Speed Lite 17 backpack
German company Deuter has a knack of making satisfyingly neat-looking packs. The Speed Lite 17 weighs a negligible 390g, and has just enough space for essentials. Perfect for hiking at pace. Pictured in zingy paprika/saffron; four other colourways are available. (For further inspiration, take a look at our list of reviewed backpacks for walkers.)
Under £250
Grayl Ultralight Compact Water Purifier
By purifying and filtering contaminated water in 15 seconds, this compact water bottle allows hikers to drink clean water on the go without being weighed down by a heavy liquid-filled pack. The cartridge needs to be replaced after 300 uses so this gift would work well for those who enjoy multi-day walks. The bottle is also available in black and white.
Adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2 GTX boots
Vibrant looks, grippy soles and trainer-style comfort and cushioning straight from the box – these hiking boots from the famous sports shoe brand are the real deal. With a Gore-Tex lining for reliable waterproofing. (If you want to shop around for your loved one, read our round-up of the best walking boots.)
MSR PocketRocket Deluxe Stove
With this ingenious stove, you can boil up a brew in minutes – or rustle up some hot food. Compact and ultralight, it's perfect for walkers, backpackers or any variety of outdoor type. It proved to be a useful and reliable piece of camping kit on test.
For more options, see our full round-up of camping stove reviews to see how we got on testing other popular models.
Montane Men's Anti-Freeze Packable Down Gilet
Pleasantly light and deliciously warm, this sleeveless layer is filled with cosy duck down. And when you don't need it, pack it in its own pocket and stow in your pack. Pictured in oak green.
Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket
Buy for men from Cotswold Outdoor (£190.00 £133.00)
Buy for women from Cotswold Outdoor (£190.00 £152.00)
Windproof and, with low-profile but effective Primaloft Gold synthetic insulation, the Nano Puff is surprisingly warm for something so low in weight and bulk. Made from recycled materials. Great back-up thermal layer for any active outdoor-lover.
Rab Arc Eco Waterproof Jacket
Buy from Alpinetrek (£211.46)
Waterproof, breathable and made from 100% recycled materials, Rab's Arc Eco Waterproof Jacket ticked plenty of boxes for us on test. Plus the striking contrast of the yellow and navy make for an eye-catching design.
Read our full review of the Rab Arc Eco Waterproof Jacket.
Fjallraven Women's Vardag anorak
Scandi-style protection from the elements from this robust and beautifully made from recycled polyester and organic cotton. Sizes run large.
Patagonia Altiva 22 backpack
Buy from Alpinetrek (£109.95).
A handsome day pack just the right size for hiking. The harness is comfortable and the stretch cord lacing on the exterior is great for carrying wet gear. Raincover included; unisex. Pictured in ‘metric orange’ colourway.
Over £500
Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar
A GPS watch can be a great tool for getting more from your walks. The Garmin Fenix 7 Solar Pro proved to be a premium model with an impressive battery life on review. Plus, it's packed with training features.
For more details, read our full review of the Garmin Fenix 7 Pro Solar.
Explore UK Walking Holiday
Buy from Explore
If you're really looking to push the boat out, why not treat a loved one to an Explore walking tour? A real treat for walkers looking to hike in a new region, the tours include a guide, food, accommodation and to some extent, transport. You're spoilt for choice with locations — Lake District, Orkney Islands and Northumberland are just a few of the stunning options available.
The tours vary in price, but you're looking at the thousands. An expensive but very special gift!
Or if you're looking for a more relaxing getaway, browse Sykes' 'Cottages for Christmas' list and enjoy a weekend away — a lovely way to discover new trails.
Discover more of BBC Countryfile Magazine's gift guides: gift ideas for outdoor adventurers | best mushroom gifts | Christmas hampers | eco-friendly gifts
