Love the View, Not the Climb? Here’s How to Make Hills Feel Easier

Every hill leads to a view worth remembering.

If you’ve ever found yourself halfway up a hill thinking, “Why am I finding this so hard?”—you’re definitely not alone.

We see it all the time on our Women Embrace Adventure hikes.

The track starts off nice and flat, everyone’s chatting away, then the climb begins. Before long, someone is feeling hot, puffed, a little queasy, or wondering why everyone else seems to be cruising while they’re struggling.

The first thing they’ll often say is, “I must be so unfit.”

But here’s the good news…

That’s not always the reason.

In many cases, making a couple of simple changes can make climbing hills feel much more comfortable and enjoyable.

Slow and steady really does win the race

One of the biggest misconceptions about hiking is that you need to power up every hill.

You don’t.

Find your own pace. The mountain isn’t going anywhere.

In fact, one of the best hikers in any group is usually the one who knows how to pace themselves.

When you charge up a steep climb, your breathing becomes shallow, your heart rate climbs quickly and your body has to work much harder. That can leave you feeling exhausted long before you reach the top.

Instead, try slowing your pace until you can comfortably chat with the person beside you.

We call it the conversation test.

If you can still talk in full sentences without gasping for breath, you’ve probably found a pace your body can sustain.

It might feel slower than you’d like—but here’s the funny thing…

People who pace themselves often need fewer stops and end up feeling much stronger over the whole hike than those who sprint from rest break to rest break.

Remember, hiking isn’t a race. The view will still be there when you arrive.

Your body needs the right fuel

Have you ever eaten a big handful of nuts, a protein bar or a heavy snack just before tackling a long climb?

Those foods are nutritious—but they aren’t always ideal while you’re actively walking.

When you’re hiking uphill, your muscles are demanding plenty of oxygen and energy. At the same time, if your body is trying to digest food that’s high in fat, protein or fibre, it has another big job to do.

That combination can sometimes leave you feeling uncomfortable or even nauseous.

While you’re walking, especially on longer or steeper hikes, it’s often better to snack on foods that are easy to digest and provide quick energy.

Some great options include:

• Bananas

• Dried fruit

• Pretzels

• Rice crackers

• Fruit straps

• Lower-fat muesli bars

• Jelly lollies or snakes for longer hikes when you need a quick energy boost

Then enjoy your more balanced meals—with protein, healthy fats and plenty of fibre—at breakfast, lunch stops or once you’ve finished walking.

Don’t wait until you’re starving

Another common mistake is forgetting to eat until your energy crashes.

Once that happens, it’s much harder to recover.

Instead, try eating a small snack every hour or so, even if you don’t feel particularly hungry.

Your body will thank you later.

Little steps make a big difference

When the track gets steep, many people naturally take bigger steps because they’re trying to get the climb over with.

Ironically, that usually makes the climb feel even harder.

Instead, try taking shorter, steadier steps. They use less energy, help you settle into a comfortable rhythm and make it much easier to keep moving without burning yourself out.

Little steps, steady breathing and plenty of smiles—that’s our recipe for happy hiking.

A great trick is to keep your feet moving at a pace that feels comfortable and sustainable, even if it means taking lots of little steps. You’ll often find you can climb further, feel stronger and need fewer breaks than if you try to rush.

Another little WEA tip? Try not to stop completely the moment the hill gets tough.

If you can, simply slow right down and keep moving with tiny, steady steps. Keeping a gentle rhythm is often easier on your body than stopping, catching your breath and then asking your muscles and heart to ramp up all over again. Those repeated stop-start efforts can make a climb feel much harder than it really is.

Of course, if you genuinely need a breather, take one. Always listen to your body. But if you can simply ease your pace instead of stopping altogether, you’ll often find the hill feels much more manageable.

If you use trekking poles, this is where they really come into their own. They help share the workload between your arms and legs, improve your balance and take some of the pressure off your knees—especially on longer or steeper climbs.

And don’t forget to look up every now and then! Taking a moment to admire the scenery isn’t just good for the soul—it gives you a chance to reset, enjoy the moment and remind yourself why you’re out there in the first place.

Don’t Compare Yourself to Anyone Else

This might just be the most important tip of all.

Every hiker is different.

Some people naturally climb hills quickly.

Others prefer a slower, steady pace.

Neither is right or wrong.

Your goal isn’t to keep up with the fastest person in the group—it’s to hike at a pace that leaves you feeling strong enough to enjoy the entire adventure.

At Women Embrace Adventure, you’ll often hear one of our guides say: “You Do You.” It’s one of our favourite catch cries, and it means exactly that.

Walk at your pace.

Take your breaks.

Celebrate your achievements.

Some days you’ll fly up the hills. Other days you’ll take it one step at a time. Both are perfectly okay.

The only person you should compare yourself to is the person you were yesterday.

Because hiking isn’t about proving anything to anyone else.

It’s about getting outside, enjoying the journey, and discovering what you’re capable of.

And remember, we’ll be cheering you on every step of the way.

A little training goes a long way

If hills always leave you exhausted, don’t be discouraged.

Walking regularly, including a few hills in your local area, gradually increases your fitness and makes climbing feel easier over time.

You don’t need to smash yourself every session.

Consistency is far more important than intensity.

A couple of walks each week, mixed with some gentle strength work for your legs and core, can make a remarkable difference before your next adventure.

The WEA way

One of the things we love most about our adventures is that there’s no pressure to be the fastest.

We stop for photos.

We stop for laughs.

We stop to admire the view.

The best adventures aren’t measured in kilometres—they’re measured in smiles, laughter and the friends you make along the way.

And sometimes we stop simply because someone wants a breather—and that’s perfectly okay.

Our guides are there to encourage you, help you find a comfortable pace and remind you that every single woman reaches the top in her own time.

Because that’s what adventure is really about.

Not racing to the finish.

Not comparing yourself to others.

Just putting one foot in front of the other, enjoying the journey, and discovering you’re capable of far more than you thought.

So next time the trail points uphill, remember:

✔ Slow your pace.✔ Take smaller steps.✔ Snack smart.✔ Sip water regularly.✔ Walk your own hike.

Before long, you might just find yourself enjoying the climb almost as much as the view.

Happy hiking!

Kat, Sharon & the Women Embrace Adventure Team