Sunrise over rolling mountains

Planning the ULTIMATE Sunrise Hike | Awesome Mornings

Posted on by Todd Alexander

Last updated on April 13th, 2021 at 10:34 pm

What’s better than hiking to a jaw-dropping view? How about watching the sun come up over a stunning vista as you make your way along a ridge-line. Hiking is always great, but often the best views occur just before sunrise. Since these early morning treks have more logistical challenges, this post intends to guide you through the process of planning the ultimate sunrise hike. 

Preparing For a Sunrise Hike (The Basics)

Before you can put together a firm plan for your sunrise hike, you will want to prepare yourself to actually take it on.

Here are a few ways to prepare yourself:

  • Do day time hikes first: Since morning hikes often take place partially in the dark it would be wise to do so hikes in daylight leading up to your sunrise hike. 
  • Break shoes or boots in first: Don’t use an early morning (partially dark) hike, to break in your boots. You will want to be comfortable and blister free.
  • Make hydration part of your routine: Depending on the duration of your hike, you’ll likely need a source of hydration and a way to carry it.
  • If insects bother you: Mosquitoes and other insects may be more prevalent in the dark mornings. Be prepared by planning to dress accordingly and bring any repellents. 

Now that we’ve covered the basics in preparing, let’s jump into the important details.

Know Your Route Before The Morning

If you want to make sure that your sunrise hike goes off without a hitch, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the route in the full light of day.

To get the best view, you’ll have to take off well before dawn so that means you will be trekking partially in the dark. The journey will only be that much harder if you don’t know the route well enough beforehand.

If you don’t map out your route before the hike, you could risk getting lost or tripping over unfamiliar trail obstructions. 

In addition to safety, knowing your route beforehand will allow you to know exactly how long it takes to reach your destination so you can plan to get there at least a quarter-hour before dawn.

After all, you don’t want to miss the best part of the sunrise because you’re still busy making your way up!

Pack Your Bag and Set Your Clothes Out The Night Before

Not everyone is a morning person, not even after a cup or two of coffee. This can be especially true if the sun hasn’t come up yet.

Therefore, why risk fighting early morning grogginess to pack in the dark when you could have just done it the night before? 

Don’t stress yourself out by forcing yourself into a time crunch… pack your bag in advance.

This way you don’t risk blowing past the time you’re supposed to head out because you’re still stuck sorting out your gear. The night before:

  • Double-check your bag after you pack it.
  • Lay out what you’re going to wear.

This way you will have everything you need as soon as you wake up. All you’ll need after your bag is packed is a good night’s sleep.

Make Sure You Are Prepared For Hiking in The Dark

As previously mentioned, it would be a good idea to bring some clothing to fight off the elements. Depending on where you live and the time of the year, the weather might be cold, particularly pre-dawn. Not only might it be a little chilly, but the lighting will likely be dimmer than you’re used to. Nevertheless, there are a couple of things you can take with you to make the trip up a tad easier.

  1. Reflective Clothing: Reflective clothing is always a useful item for nocturnal activities since it helps others to find you if you become separated or to avoid collisions, especially out on trails frequented by bikers.
  2. Headlamp for Hiking (that won’t run out of battery): Portable light will be a vital instrument so aim to get a sturdy headlamp with a long-lasting battery to help illuminate your path.
  3. Water: You can never have enough water while you’re out on the trail so pack at least a couple of bottles to ensure your well doesn’t run dry.
  4. Toilet Paper: Hearing the call of the wild while out on a hike is one of those most natural things that can happen but don’t get caught with your pants down with no TP in sight.
  5. Warmer Clothing: Make sure to wear some high socks, long pants, or a long-sleeved shirt to ward off the early morning chill in the air so you don’t end up catching a cold.
  6. Be prepared for rain: Nature can be temperamental and you never know when it can start sprinkling during some seasons so make sure you waterproof everything you need to or pack a raincoat.
  7. Don’t forget your GPS Watch: Navigating your way through the countryside can be tricky, particularly out on winding forest trails, so bring along your trusty GPS watch to make sure you don’t wander off where you’re not supposed to. If you don’t have a GPS watch yet, check out our post on the GPS watches with the longest battery lives.

Develop a Sunrise Hiking Itinerary (Starting With The Evening Before)

In case you need it, here’s a complete itinerary of everything you need to do to make sure your hike starts out on the right foot, starting from at least the night before. Simpy tick these tasks off your checklist to make for easier sailing when it’s finally time to go.

  • Seek out a trail you’ve been craving to explore (in advance)
  • Scout out the trail to find its best vantage points and time your route
  • Familiarize yourself with the route during day hikes to avoid future hiccoughs
  • Make a list of all the things you need to bring on the hike including food
  • Obtain the gear you’ll need for the sunrise hike; i.e. headlamp, reflective clothing, etc.
  • Double-check what time the sun rises in your area
  • Make a music playlist and fully charge your music player if necessary
  • Pack your bag with all the supplies that you can the night before
  • Put your supplies that have to stay refrigerated in a plastic bag and set them aside in the fridge
  • Eat a balanced dinner of protein and healthy carbs like vegetables and whole-grains and drink plenty of water
  • Plan to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep to stave off fatigue
  • Depending on the length of your trail, set your alarm for a couple hours before sunrise
  • Don’t hit the snooze button when your alarm goes off since you’ll just wake up more tired in the end
  • Drink some water and have a light breakfast to warm up your body’s systems
  • Get yourself ready and go over the contents of your bag one last time, grabbing supplies from the fridge if necessary
  • Smile, this hike is going to be an amazing way to start the day!

Consider Hiking With a Friend In The Mornings

It can be a bit daunting to go hiking in the dark alone, even for a fantastic view, so inviting a friend along for the trip is certainly a novel idea. It’s always nice to have company, plus there’s more safety in numbers, and going with a friend will at least ensure that you’ll have a helping hand around in case any accidents arise.

Why not make it a group activity and ask a few pals from your social circle to tag along, or search online for any interests groups geared toward other hikers looking for the same. The more, the merrier, right?

Don’t Hesitate to Plan Your Perfect Sunrise Hike

Going on an early morning sunrise hike is one of the most freeing experiences in the world that is bound to leave you feeling empowered and yearning for more. With all the tips laid out in this guide, backed by a foolproof itinerary, you’ve got everything you need to make your sunrise hike unforgettable.

Stick to the plan by figuring out your route and packing your bag in advance and then sleep like a baby knowing that a wonderful adventure awaits you in the morning. Who wouldn’t want to capture the perfect sunrise?

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Image Credit: Jan Fidler |(https://www.flickr.com/photos/hypotekyfidler/) | Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) — reduced file size and image

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