Hiking is an activity that underpins many expedition cruise day-to-day programs and is often one of the choices if different activity options are available.

Contrary to popular belief, hiking activities on an expedition cruise are designed to be accessible to all, regardless of your fitness level. The focus is more on immersing yourself in the natural environment, using scenic trails or footpaths. Hikes will vary in difficulty, but there will always be a choice on your cruise, with groups assigned to different difficulty levels, from easy walks on flatter terrain to more challenging options on steep or rugged paths.

Hiking is not just about physical exercise; it's a gateway to enhanced mental well-being. The serene environment, the opportunity to connect with nature, observe wildlife, and bask in the beauty of your destinations all contribute to stress relief and a boost in mood. It's known as the ‘expedition mindset’. This phrase is hard to explain, but you know it when you feel it, not unlike the Danish word ‘hygge’. Hygge is a familiar word on expedition cruises, to take time away from the daily rush to be together with like-minded people - or simply by yourself - to relax and enjoy life's quieter pleasures.

Hikes will often start with a landing by Zodiac onshore and then the gathering of the different groups. You will usually select your group the previous day after the expedition team has advised you. You will then be called to the mudroom in the morning to join your zodiac and embark with your fellow group members. Sometimes, you will be in a designated port or alongside a quay, so the zodiac tender will not be required, but this is unusual on expedition cruises.

Hiking groups will be guided ashore by the expedition team, experts travelling with the ship, and sometimes local guides, who will add a unique insight into your destination. These may be local historians, ornithologists, botanists, or biologists.