Written by The_Obese_Hiker

Why Some of Us Hike Just to Get Away from People (and That’s Perfectly Fine)

If you've ever admitted that your favourite part of hiking is being miles away from human interaction, congratulations - you’re one of us. 🥳 For a lot of outdoorsy types, hiking, camping, and long muddy rambles are less about “challenging ourselves” and more about avoiding people altogether. And guess what? That’s perfectly fine.

In fact, some would say it’s the healthiest way to keep your sanity intact. Because let’s be honest: few things can ruin a stunning summit or peaceful woodland faster than a large group of people.

🤦Crowds ruin hiking faster than rain

Picture this: you’ve just dragged yourself up 1,000 feet of elevation, calves screaming, sweat clinging to your back, lungs on fire - only to reach the top and find:

• A group of twenty in matching neon jackets blocking the trig point.

• Three different dogs named Milo barking over each other.

• Someone shouting into their phone about “going live” while reviewing a protein bar.

Suddenly, that remote hilltop feels a bit like a supermarket aisle on a Saturday morning. 🛒 Not exactly the peaceful nature moment you were after.

🚶Hiking alone (or with your least annoying mate) is the real therapy

This is why so many of us strap on our boots and vanish into the hills. It’s not about exercise. It’s not about #wanderlust. It’s about getting far enough away that we can’t hear Carol from accounts explaining her new diet plan, or the neighbour’s kids trying to break the land-speed record on scooters.

Some call it anti-social. We call it self-preservation. 😉

☕The perfect mugs for people who hate people (just a bit)

We’re not complete monsters. We just like our own space - and our own brew - preferably somewhere with zero phone signal and no risk of running into an unexpected hen do.

That’s exactly why we created our enamel mugs, like the A Large Group of People mug and the Never Mess with Someone Who Loves the Outdoors mug. They’re lightweight, sturdy, and printed in the UK - perfect for hikers, campers, festival dodgers, or anyone who’d rather be up a hill alone than stuck in small talk.

🥾 Oh, and about your gear...

If your battered old flask’s not cutting it, we’ve thrown together a list of our favourite hiking gear on Amazon - all stuff that might actually help keep you alive (or at least warm). From proper water bottles to socks that last more than two walks, it’s worth a nosy.

😅If this sounds like your kind of rant, check out the rest of The Obese Hiker Rambles for more outdoorsy sarcasm, questionable life choices, and reasons to sack off social plans.

🌲Why this is your sign to grab your boots (and your mug) and go

Next time someone raises an eyebrow when you say you’re heading out on your own, remind them that peace, quiet, and a sarcastic cup of tea on a lonely summit is a million times better than forced chatter on a team-building weekend.

So here’s to muddy boots, empty trails, and brews that taste better simply because there’s nobody else around to spoil it.

📝 Heads up: some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means we might earn a tiny brew fund if you buy through them - at no extra cost to you. Cheers for helping keep our adventures (and sarcasm) going.