Combining Remote Work And Long Distance Hiking

In some fields, remote work arrangements allow people to carry professional responsibilities with them as they move. A subset of hikers explores whether this flexibility can be combined with long distance routes. Practical considerations include connectivity, power, workspace, and the need for predictable time windows to complete tasks.

In practice, many trails pass through areas where network access is limited, intermittent, or absent for extended stretches. Hikers may rely on town stops, nearby communities, or specific high points for communication. This can affect route selection, scheduling, and spontaneity, as work requirements may necessitate adjustments to typical thru hiking patterns.

Remote work can also influence rest days, turning some zero days into working days rather than full recovery periods. Individuals may allocate certain days or segments primarily to hiking and others primarily to work, depending on deadlines and energy levels.

Clear communication with employers or clients is important when attempting to work from trail. Defining expected response times, availability windows, and contingency plans for outages can help align expectations. Some hikers decide after experimentation that they prefer to keep multi-month hikes separate from ongoing work, while others continue to blend both activities.

This article neutrally describes common considerations when combining remote work and long distance hiking. It does not offer employment advice or address tax, contractual, or legal questions related to remote work arrangements.