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What’s one of the best parts about hiking? The snacks! Today I’m sharing 10 hiking snacks that are not only delicious, but will help keep you fueled up. All of these snacks are easy to grab (no cooking required!), so you have one less thing to worry about before hitting the trail.

What Types of Snacks Should You Bring Hiking?

The best snacks to bring hiking will depend on how long you’re going to be out, how difficult the trail is, and your personal preferences. You may not need to eat anything on a short, easy trail. However, on an extremely long and challenging hike, like Mt. Whitney or Rim-to-Rim in the Grand Canyon, you’re going to want a variety of food to stay fueled on the trail.

Macronutrient Priorities While Hiking

While hiking your body uses carbohydrates as its primary energy source (unless you’re in a state of ketosis, but that’s a different conversation!). So when it comes to choosing a hiking snack you want to aim for something that is higher in carbs. 

General nutrition guidelines recommend eating between 30-60g of carbohydrates per hour on the trail. If you have a larger body, are on a challenging hike, or are carrying a heavy pack, aim for the higher end of that recommendation. If you’re on a short hike (1-2 hours) you may not need to eat anything if you eat a solid meal ahead of time.

On a longer hike you can add some fats, which take longer to digest, but can keep you feeling satiated and provide some variety. While eating a high-protein snack or meal after your hike will help your muscles recover, you don’t necessarily need to prioritize protein during your hike unless you’re out for a while or are trying to hit your daily protein goals.

Keep in mind that these are just general guidelines. You can eat whatever you want while hiking! I personally prefer eating a meal before and after my hikes, so unless I’m out for more than a couple of hours, I usually won’t have a snack. With that said, I always carry extra snacks (one of the 10 essentials) just in case!

10 Easy & Delicious Hiking Snack Ideas

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1. Granola Bars & Energy Bars

One of the easiest snacks to carry on a hike to get the energy you need is a granola bar or energy bar. These are bars that are primarily made up of carbohydrates, as opposed to protein bars, which are going to be higher in protein (obviously).

You can find endless energy bar and granola bar options in any grocery store or outdoor gear shop, but you can also make your own if you want to have more control over the ingredients.

Granola Bar & Energy Bar Recommendations

Clif Bars (chocolate chip)

Bobo’s Oat Bars (variety pack)

Kate’s Real Food Granola Bars (variety pack)

GoMacro Protein Bars (variety pack) – These are a bit higher in protein than the other suggestions, but I would still consider them to be an energy bar based on the macros.

2. Gummy Candy

One of the easiest and tastiest snacks to eat while hiking is gummy candy. It’s also one of the best ways to get pure sugar for a quick burst of energy. My latest hiking snack obsession are Nerds gummy clusters. They’re the perfect balance of tangy and sweet, and they don’t get stuck in your teeth like other gummy candies. 

If you’re looking for something a little bit healthier than candy, you can find energy chews at most outdoor gear shops. Honey Stinger energy chews have a similar macronutrient profile as gummy candies (aka they’re straight carbs), but they also have some sodium, potassium, and vitamin C. You can also find energy chews with B vitamins and caffeine for an extra jolt of energy.

3. Fresh Fruit & Dried Fruit

If you’re looking for a healthy hiking snack that still provides some quick sugar, then opt for fresh fruit or dried fruit. Bananas, apples, and clementines are all easy fruits to carry in your pack. You can also find dried fruit in any grocery store, which expands your options (you’re probably not going to want to carry fresh mango or pineapple on the trail!).

Please remember to practice Leave No Trace and pack out all of your food waste. While food waste like apple cores, banana peels, and orange peels will eventually decompose, it often takes months to do so (if not longer, depending on the environment). In the meantime food waste is litter on the trail and can negatively impact wildlife.

4. Trail Mix

No list of hiking snacks would be complete without including trail mix. There are tons of different types of trail mix out there, but you’ll typically find things like nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate inside. You can opt for prepackaged trail mix that you can find in any grocery store, or create your own combination.

5. Granola

Granola is another quintessential hiking snack for any outdoorsy gal or guy. It’s typically made with oats or other grains, along with some type of sugar (like honey or maple syrup), so it’s a great source of carbohydrates. This is another hiking snack that you can find prepackaged in stores, or you can easily make your own.

6. Sandwiches

A sandwich can be a fantastic trail snack, especially on a longer hike. A classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich travels well and has a good mix of carbs, healthy fats, and a little bit of protein. You can experiment with different types of nut butters, jellies, and bread. I personally prefer a bagel with Justin’s maple almond butter, which you can buy in single-serving pouches.

7. Protein Bars

As I mentioned earlier, you don’t necessarily need to prioritize protein during a hike, but I know a lot of people prefer a protein bar to a traditional granola or energy bar (myself included). While protein bars are obviously going to be higher in protein, they also typically have a good mix of carbs and fats along with it. Some protein bars contain sugar, while others use artificial sweeteners or sugar alcohols.

Protein Bar Recommendations

Barebells Protein Bars (variety pack)

Fit Crunch Snack Size Protein Bars (variety pack)

Built Protein Bars (variety pack)

No Cow Protein Bars (plant-based; variety pack)

8. Jerky

Jerky is an easy, high-protein hiking snack option. While it won’t provide the quick energy you need on the trail because it’s typically very low in carbs, it can help you feel satiated and hit your daily protein goals. It also provides much needed sodium to help replenish electrolytes. There are a lot of different types of jerky out there, from pork, to buffalo, to salmon, to plant-based options.

9. Chips

If you prefer a salty hiking snack, then chips are going to be a great option for you. I highly recommend getting chips that come in a tube (like a Pringles can) as opposed to a bag so they don’t get crushed in your pack. Chip tubes typically fit perfectly in a water bottle holder on the side of your pack. You can also toss different types of chips into a reusable silicone bag if you want some snacking variety.

10. Cheese & Crackers

For a salty snack with a little more substance than chips, opt for cheese and crackers. Hard cheeses, like cheddar, will typically hold up well in your pack. Avoid soft cheese, especially on a hot day.

If you’re feeling extra fancy you can even go so far as to pack an entire mini-charcuterie board. Make sure to bring a blanket so you can have a little picnic and lay out your spread. My husband and I did this on a Mother’s Day hike with our parents earlier this year and it was a big hit!

I hope these suggestions got your wheels turning for your next hike. Enjoy the trail and a delicious snack to go with it!

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