I think there is something really beautiful about hiking on a wet-weather day.
When you’re tucked inside your waterproofs with your hood up, the world narrows right down. You notice the smell of ozone, rain hitting mossy ground, the water running off leaves. It can feel like you are walking through a little oasis where nothing else exists outside the bit of path in front of you.
That said, rainy days can turn very easily. Just because you feel like you can go and do something does not automatically make it a sensible decision. We hear of people heading out in major storms because they are determined to complete a particular hike, and that is when things can become much more serious.
So how do you enjoy walking in the rain without pretending every wet-weather plan is a good one?
Choose the right kind of route
I have some non-negotiables for hiking in the rain, which are entirely focused on keeping me safe and allowing me to still have a good time outdoors.
Firstly, I won’t take on a major route where the consequences are severe. A big ridgeline with slippy rock is not where I want to be when the weather is closing in. One small slip can have much bigger consequences there than it would on a lower woodland path.
Then secondly, if rain is coming with massive winds and storms, I tend to stay away from the coastline too. It is super unpleasant, but more importantly it is not the place to be trying to force a walk through the weather.
With this in mind, lower routes, woodland, sheltered valleys and shorter loops can be brilliant choices. You still get all the good bits of a rainy day, but you have more options if the weather gets worse or somebody has had enough.
Rather than only looking at whether there is rain on the forecast, think about what that rain means for the place you are going. Will the ground get slippery? Is there exposure? Is there an easy way back? Are you choosing a route because it is right for the conditions, or because you had your heart set on it?
Get comfortable before you set off
It’s also important to remember that being wet is not always the same as being cold and miserable. Good waterproofs, warm layers and a hot drink in a flask make a huge difference.
I also like to have everything easy to reach in the top of my backpack so that I’m more likely to grab them. There is no point carrying a waterproof if you wait until you are soaked before putting it on. The same goes for food and a warm drink. A proper snack break in a sheltered spot can make a rainy day feel completely different.
You also need to think about how hard you are working. On a steep climb, it is easy to get too warm inside your waterproofs and end up damp from sweat instead. Slow down, adjust layers as you go, and don’t wait until you are uncomfortable to do something about it.
This is especially important when you are with other people. Somebody might be fine walking quickly but get cold very fast as soon as you stop. A quick check-in can make the difference between a day that feels wild and fun, and a day that feels like everyone is quietly suffering.
Know when the rain has had enough of you
It’s not unusual for there to be a point where rain stops being enjoyable, and for some people I’m sure that would be as soon as they open the front door.
For me, walking for six hours non-stop in a really heavy storm gets to that point. Everything is wet, you have stopped being able to keep up with it, and the novelty has definitely worn off. On a single day that can still be a little bit of type 2 fun, but day after day on a multi-day hike is a very different thing.
I learnt that properly on the Camino last year. It rained every single day we hiked. I have never walked in that much rain, for that long, on one route.
In the end, an umbrella became almost non-negotiable for me. I would not be using it on top of a mountain or in strong wind, but on the Camino it meant I could take my hood down, open the world up a bit again and still have some protection from the rain.
That small change made a big difference. Sometimes when it’s like this it is not about having the toughest kit or pushing on for the sake of it. It is about finding the thing that makes the day manageable.
Let it be a rainy-day adventure
For a lot of people rain forecasts would immediately cancel all plans, but walking in the rain doesn’t have to be a lesser version of hiking.
You might not get the big sweeping views you had hoped for, but you might get woodland that feels completely different, waterfalls that have come to life, quieter paths and a day that feels much more immersive than a dry one.
But don’t forget, a good rainy-day walk starts with good judgement. Pick a route that suits the conditions, make sure you have what you need, and give yourself permission to change the plan if it stops being enjoyable or safe.
The big route will still be there on another day. The rain can be brilliant, but it does not need to be something you prove yourself against