3 best hiking snacks

Choose and pack the right foods that will keep your energy up on the trail

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Good ol’ raisins and peanuts

You can’t go wrong with this hiking staple: Nuts, raisins, dried fruits and seeds is a perfect combination for a tasty treat that will get through your hike. (It’s called trail mix for a reason.) Janet Hughes, a certified Personal Training Specialist, recommends this “nutrient-filled, high-energy snack” as a “much-deserved treat while resting to take in the beautiful scenery, or packed as a reserve (generally to be shared with novice hikers that may have underestimated their calorie needs for the day).” Bonus: It’s easy to pack with little cleanup.

You can buy trail mix at the grocery store or make your own: Start with a base of nuts and seeds, and add in treats like granola-based cereals, M&M’s, Smarties, or marshmallows to amp up the flavour. (Dark chocolate chips or yogurt-covered cranberries are healthier options that are just as tasty.) Sometimes using whatever’s in the cupboards is faster, cheaper, and easier than heading to the store—just ensure you’ve got raisins and peanuts in the mix.