Zero Days And Full Rest Days In Town
Overview
Zero days and full rest days in town are days during a long distance hike when a hiker does not advance the trail mileage, focusing instead on rest, recovery, and in-town tasks.
Key points
- Zero days allow the body and mind to recover from sustained effort.
- Common activities include sleeping, eating, and completing logistics.
- Rest days can help address minor discomforts before they become larger issues.
- Zero days may be planned in advance or decided spontaneously.
- The frequency of zero days varies with personal preference, conditions, and schedule.
Details
A zero day is a day on which a hiker covers no official miles on the route. Instead, the day is devoted to rest and town-based tasks such as laundry, resupply shopping, gear repair, and communication with family or friends. For many people, these days form a natural rhythm in a long distance hike, allowing the body and mind to recover.
Zero days can be scheduled around major resupply points, weather systems, or personal milestones. Some hikers plan them at regular intervals, while others decide based on how they feel upon arriving in town. Rest days can also be an opportunity to address minor issues like blisters, soreness, or sleep deficits before they affect the ability to continue comfortably.
Time in town may also support administrative tasks such as updating journals, managing finances, or adjusting future plans. The pace of a hike, available budget, and overall seasonal window shape how many zero days are realistic.
This article describes the concept of zero days without recommending a specific frequency. Each hiker determines their own balance between forward movement, rest, and personal needs.
Related topics
- balancing-rest-enjoyment-and-progress
- budget-management-during-town-stops
- nero-days-partial-rest-in-town
Disclaimer: thruhikingwiki.com is an independent, informational reference only. It is not an official source for any trail association, land manager, park, agency, or guide service. Nothing on this site is legal, safety, medical, navigation, or professional advice, and it does not replace formal training or certified instruction. Thru-hiking and backcountry travel involve significant risk. Local regulations, land manager rules, and manufacturer instructions always take priority. You are solely responsible for your planning decisions, safety practices, and compliance with applicable laws. Use this site at your own risk.
Illustrative hiking footage
The following external videos offer general visual context for typical hiking environments. They are not official route recommendations, safety instructions, or planning tools.