17 Best Energy Foods For Hiking In 2024

Are you looking for the best energy foods for hiking?

Packing the best energy foods for hiking is essential for keeping your stamina up while out on the trail.

For several years we have tried and tested some of the best energy hiking foods.

We have come up with a list of our favorites that are proven to be both delicious and give you a boost in energy while out exploring. 

Trekking Price’s contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, I may receive compensation at no extra cost to you.

The Ultimate List of the Best Energy Foods for Hiking

Below you will find the best list of energy foods for hiking so that you can stay happy, healthy, and energetic while out exploring new mountains, landscapes, and views. Enjoy!

1. Energy Bars

Finding the best energy bars for hiking are essential for keeping your spirits and stamina high on both short and long hikes. 

Some of our favorite energy bars for hiking include PROBAR Meal Bars, Kate’s Real Food Organic Energy Bars, and Clif Bars.

We love that all of these bars are delicious, quick to eat, and are packed with great ingredients. 

2. Sandwiches

Another great choice for the best energy food for hiking is to enjoy a delicious sandwich while out on the trails! 

Some of our go-to favorites include peanut butter and jelly, egg and cheese, and turkey and cheese.

Not only are sandwiches delicious and easy to devour while on the go but they are also packed with protein and carbohydrates to help keep you energized. 

3. Nuts

Nuts are one of the best foods to take with you on a hike.

Not only are they packed with flavor and protein but they are also easy to carry and to eat while on the go! 

Some of our favorite nut options include Wonderful Pistachios, Emerald Nuts, and Planters Nut-ritional Wholesome Nut Mix.

We specifically love that each of these come in small individually packed portions that are easy to carry and enjoy while hiking. 

Plus, small packets of nuts don’t take up much room at all in your backpack and are a super lightweight option to bring with you on your outdoor adventure!

4. Quick Electrolytes: Chews, Tablets, Powders, and Drinks

Bringing along the best electrolytes for hiking are also an essential element to pack when hitting the hiking trails.

We specifically love electrolyte chews or gummies when it comes to the best energy food for hiking because they provide you with a quick boost in energy and are easy to pack in your backpack.

One of our go-to favorites are the Clif Bloks Energy Chews because they are scrumptious, easy to pop into your mouth while hiking, and provide you with a quick burst of energy. 

5. Salads

Salads are another awesome option when it comes to the best energy food for hiking!

You can get as creative or simple as you would like when it comes to fixing and packing your salad for hiking. 

In general, we recommend including some type of cheese into your salad for added taste and protein.

Additionally, we recommend mixing in meat such as chicken, bacon, fish, or turkey for some added flavor and energy as well.

Another awesome addition is mixing in nuts like pecans to your salad for an extra protein packed snack.

6. Nut Butter

Whether you are a peanut butter fan or an almond butter fanatic, we recommend packing a packet or two of nut butter on your hike for a delicious and protein packed snack! 

Some of our favorites include Justin’s Almond Butter Squeeze Packs and Skippy’s Natural Creamy Peanut Butter Spread. 

7. Trail Mix

Trail Mix is another popular choice amongst hikers when it comes to a high energy snack to enjoy while on the go.

We love that trail mix typically combines nuts, a salty element, and a sweet component. 

We highly recommend the Nature’s Garden Healthy Trail Mix Snack Packs.

We love that you can purchase a variety pack option that comes with different nuts and flavors.

Additionally, we love that they are individually packaged into small portions which makes it easy to put into your backpack and enjoy while out on a hike!

8. Oatmeal

For another great energy food hiking, consider bringing oatmeal with you on your next hiking excursion! 

There are two main ways you can enjoy hot oatmeal while out on the trails.

The first option is to prepare your oatmeal ahead of time and place it in a thermos.

We highly recommend this small and compact Thermos that is great for outdoor adventuring! 

The second option is bring your portable backpacking stove and boil some water in the wilderness to pour into your instant oatmeal.

We love our Jetboil Stove and cannot recommend it enough for hiking and backpacking. 

For oatmeal lovers, be sure to check out Quakers Instant Oatmeal for a delicious and warm meal while hiking. 

9. Bananas

Bananas don’t need much of an introduction, they are not only a healthy fruit option to enjoy but they are also easy to eat while hiking.

Additionally, they contain a significant amount of potassium which helps to prevent muscle cramping.

10. Cheese and Crackers

One of our favorite snacks whether we are relaxing on the beach or trekking multiple miles through the mountains, we adore cheese and crackers.

Not only is this a great way to enjoy protein and carbohydrates but you can get as fancy or simple as you would like! 

When it comes to cheeses, we typically recommend sticking to simple cheeses that will not melt or be overly sticky. In general, we recommend cheddar cheese or gouda. 

For crackers, we love Wheat Thins and Bagel Crisps, depending on what kind of mood we are in!

11. Dried Fruit

There are countless dried fruit options to pick from.

Whether you like dried cranberries, bananas, blueberries, mango slices, and practically everything in between.

Dried fruit is an excellent option for energy food for hiking! 

Not only do dried fruits typically come in resealable bags or containers but they also give you a taste of something sweet without all of the sticky mess that you would get from fresh fruits!

For those looking to bring dried fruit along on your next hiking adventure, you must check out Nature’s Turn Freeze-Dried Fruit Snacks or Bare Baked Crunchy. 

12. Apples

Apples are always a great snack to indulge in whether you are hiking, camping, or just at home and want something sweet and healthy.

We love that apples are delicious and do not need to be refrigerated. 

13. Dehydrated Meals

For those looking for something a bit more calorie packed and not so “snacky”, you must check out Peak Refuel Meals or Mountain House Meals.

We love both of these brands and bring both with us whenever we spend multiple nights backpacking in the wilderness. 

Some of our favorites include the Peak Refuel Chicken Alfredo Pasta and the Mountain House Pad Thai with Chicken. 

Be sure to pack your backpacking stove so that you can boil water to make these delicious dehydrated meals while out on your next hike!

14. Beef Jerky

Beef Jerky is a simple yet scrumptious option when it comes to the best energy food for hiking.

Not only does beef jerky pack a punch when it comes to flavor but it is also super easy to pack in your hiking backpack and to enjoy while on the go!

We recommend Jack Link’s Beef Jerky because it is both tasty and not overly expensive for a protein packed snack!

15. Tuna

Tuna is another great option for a high energy hiking snack or meal.

You can enjoy tuna straight out of the can or packet, with crackers, or you can enjoy a scrumptious tuna sandwich while out on the trails!

Our go-to is the StarKist Tuna Packets because they are easy to pack in our backpacks and you can easily throw them into a plastic ziplock baggie once finished. 

16. Dark Chocolate

One of my personal favorite snacks while hiking is dark chocolate!

Not only does dark chocolate help conquer a sweet tooth but it also provides you with a bit of burst in energy while out on the trails. 

I specifically love Dove Promises Dark Chocolate because they are individually wrapped so I can enjoy one or two on the trail without having to mess with an entire chocolate bar. 

17. Veggies

Another fabulous option for the best energy foods for hiking is to pack veggies to enjoy!

Some of the best vegetables to eat while hitting the trails include carrots, celery, broccoli, or cauliflower. 

To make your veggies taste all the better, consider bringing along with you a little container of ranch or blue cheese dressing to dip your vegetables in! 

💡Things to Consider When Packing The Best Energy Food for Hiking

There are quite a few things to consider when bringing the best energy foods for hiking with you on your next wilderness adventure!

Some things to think about are how you plan on storing the trash, if certain items need to be kept in a cooler, along with many others.

Check out our ultimate list below to help you pack for your next hiking adventure!

✅ Leave No Trace Behind

It is extremely important to leave no trace behind when enjoying the wilderness and going on hiking and backpacking adventures.

Make sure that you don’t leave any trash behind and that you always clean up after eating a meal or snack and place the trash back into your backpack or bear canister!

✅ Think About Foods That Don’t Need to Be Kept Cool

Whether you are going on a short day hike or going on a multi day backpacking adventure, be sure to consider bringing snacks with you that don’t necessarily need to be kept in a refrigerator or cooler the entire time. 

If you plan on bringing a salad, salad dressing, fruits, or other items that are enjoyed more when cool… think about eating these items early on into your hike or think about using a cooler or cooler backpack while hiking to keep your items fresh. 

✅ Weight 

Weight is a huge consideration to think about when packing the best energy foods for hiking!

No one wants to haul around massive amounts of additional weight so be sure to consider lightweight snacks that don’t add too much to your backpack. 

✅ Compactness

We typically recommend bringing snacks and meals that are compact and easy to put into a typical hiking daypack or backpacking pack.

We love items that are individually packaged because they are easy to pull out and snack out and easy to store. 

FAQs About The Best Energy Food for Hiking

How do you keep energy while hiking?

Our number one recommendation to keep energy while hiking is to stay hydrated.

Be sure that you are constantly drinking water so that you stay healthy and happy while out on the trails!

Another way to keep energy while hiking is by munching on high energy foods and snacks.

We recommend any of the 17 snacks above to keep you energized on the trails!

Another way to keep your energy while hiking is making sure that you are wearing the best possible equipment to keep your body healthy while enduring long periods of high intensity! 

Be sure that you are wearing the best hiking socks to prevent blisters and that you are wearing crampons or microspikes when hiking during slippery or icy winter conditions. 

How do I increase my stamina for hiking?

There are several ways to increase your stamina for hiking.

One of the best ways to do so is by training and prepping your body so that you can be in the best possible shape for hiking and continue to get better. 

Another way to increase your stamina while hiking is by staying hydrated, taking the best electrolytes for hiking, and packing the best energy foods for hiking to enjoy while you are out on your excursion. 

What are the best electrolyte snacks for hiking?

The best electrolyte snacks for hiking are Nuun Sport Electrolyte Drink Tablets, Liquid I.V. Powder Packets, and Clif Bloks Energy Chews. 

We hope you enjoyed this article on the best energy foods for hiking!

For similar posts, be sure to check out the best hiking flashlights and the best hikes in Saguaro National Park. Happy Hiking!