Backpacking Menu Planner

Backpacking meals tend to be low weight and high calorie to minimize the weight in the pack.
View the menus below to see what other backpackers have used for their trips.
Use one of these or make your own for your next trip.

Print the daily meal menu and a shopping list of items based on the size of your group and length of trip.

These menus are for backpacking, rather than in-camp cooking. Each meal is comprised of a few different items and the cooking is usually just heating water.

To start making a menu, first add your food items to the Food Items List.
Then, Make your Menu.

Show Menu	Days
2011 #11	3
Bighorns	5

All Comments:

Mar 21, 2013 - Michael Borgers

Hello dear Hiking food team, 8 people including me will take part in a tracking trip to mexico during the summer which is organized by World Challenge. We are having a practice track here in Germany in may and need a 4 meal food plan for this 1 night expedition. It should include 2 lunches one Dinner and one breakfast which will have in the following order: Lunch,Dinner,Breakfast and Lunch. The foods should be light and small but still maximize physical ability while still being eatable. Also foods should be local or at least getable in Germany. I hope its not to much to ask for and I thank you very much for taking this request into consideration as dose the hole team thank you. Sincerely, Michael Borgers

Mar 26, 2013 - Hiking Dude

Michael - On hikingdude.com/hiking-trek-food.php you can read about what to look for in trek food. You need to have food that your group will eat, and I don't know what you have available. For a one-night outing, it doesn't really matter - you won't starve in one day. If it was me, I'd take: 2 Poptarts, 3 Snickers bars, some dehydrated fruit, trail mix, 1 Knorr teriyaki noodle pack, 1 salmon pouch, 12 Ritz crackers, 4 oz. of peanut butter and honey mixed.

Jun 08, 2013 - Bryan

Wish more people would have posted this is great idea... I'm having hard time trying figure out what to pack for my 10 day trek in Peru.

Feb 14, 2014 - Damien

Alright so I am planning an easy 60 mile hike to last me 6 days so an easy 10 miles a day. I always take the same food when hiking and want to switch it up unless there just isn't a better option. So I usually take ramen noodles for dinner, a mixture between a Cliff bar and some beef jerky for lunch, and usually oatmeal for breakfast, and trail mix for on the go snacking. Any better ideas? Cliff bars all taste the same eventually.

Feb 14, 2014 - Hiking Dude

@Damien - Have you read the "Hiking Food" section of this site? Or, the "My Long Hikes" section? You can see the food that I prefer to take. I don't like cooking in the morning so I have poptarts or granola bars. I love Snickers bars and peanut butter and honey mixed on ritz crackers. Knorr noodle sides with tuna, salmon, or chicken make a good dinner for me.

Mar 15, 2014 - Jonathan G

Some friends and myself are planning a 3 say hike and camp. We're thinking a simple 7 miles a day. I'm wondering how much and what kind of food (I've read 1.5 pounds of food per day). I was thinking foods such as potatoes, dried fruit, chicken, beef, apples or bananas and cliff bars and chocolate. I was diverting of this skins good and how much of each should I take? Thank you!

Feb 19, 2015 - sarah

I saw "chicken breast" on your menu. I'm assuming it's not the raw type that has to be kept cold. What is it?

Feb 20, 2015 - Hiking Dude

@sarah - You can get cooked chicken in a can or foil pouch (like tuna)

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