When the snow melts and the seasonal depression starts to fade, it's only normal to want to go outside and experience the sunshine and warmer weather. One of the best ways to do this is to hit the trails and go for a hike, and nothing enhances that experience quite like a good hiking playlist.
“She Lit A Fire” by Lord Huron
The folksy tune tells the tale of a man looking for a girl that has plagued his every thought. He crosses mountains, forests, deserts and oceans searching for her. While you probably aren’t hiking as far as the protagonist, it’s a great song to get you up and moving down the trail.
”As We Ran by” by The National Parks
When the band is literally called The National Parks, you know you’re in for a great hiking song. Chronicling the trek up the mountainside to the top of the Grand Tetons to watch the world below, this song is a hiking tune in its truest form.
“Nellie” by Dr. Dog
Similar to the first song on the list, Nellie also tells the tale of a man in love with a woman. This love he has for her motivates him to follow her to the ends of the earth, making you want to do so as well.
“Skyline Pigeon” by Elton John
Maybe the sun isn’t really out when you hit the trail. Maybe you’re in an introspective, somber mood. This is the song for that. It’s a song about returning to your roots told through the metaphor of a pigeon returning back to nature, making it a great hiking song as well.
“Love Ain’t For Keeping” by The Who
A weirdly domestic song from a usually loud and angry band, this song is about enjoying the simple things in life. The protagonist describes the feeling of laying in the fresh grass with his lover in the gentle rain, which is a feeling many of us nature lovers can relate to finding peace in.
“Fire and The Flood” by Vance Joy
While mostly associated with indie hit “Riptide,” Vance Joy’s discography goes far beyond that. Enter “Fire And The Flood,” a song about holding someone in your heart no matter where you are. This sentiment paves the way for all sorts of wandering imagery, perfect for a hike.
“Solsbury Hill” by Peter Gabriel
Detailing a man’s journey up to the titular Solsbury Hill before returning home to God, the song doubles as an amazing hiking song. The mixture of the dramatic orchestral elements and relaxed guitar gives you the push that you need to get up that final hill.
“Bloom” by The Paper Kites
Quiet and reserved, this song is about loving someone so deeply that they become your whole world. While the message lays the foundation for the song, the lyrics filled with natural imagery combined with a fingerpicked guitar render it a perfect song for a relaxing hike.
“In the Woods Somewhere” by Hozier
Searching for something almost spooky during your hike? Look no further than Hozier’s “In the Woods Somewhere,” which serves a musical horror. Detailing a man’s journey into the woods at night and finding a beast, it feels like a campfire story told through song, and one that you can listen to as you walk.
