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Hiking Calorie Calculator

Hiking Calorie Calculator

Use our science-based hiking calorie calculator to fuel your adventures.

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Backcountry Foodie hiking calorie calculator displayed on a laptop and smartphone, helping backpackers plan precise trail nutrition.

Calorie Calculator

Science-Backed Accuracy for Trail Nutrition

This isn’t just another calorie estimator—our Hiking Calorie Calculator is built by a professional dietitian (Aaron, founder of Backcountry Foodie) using real-world backpacking nutrition science to give you the most accurate energy estimates possible.

  • More Precise than Generic Calorie Calculators
  • Trusted by Thousands of Backpackers
  • Tested in the Field with Real-World Use
Backcountry Foodie Step-By-Step Guide to Calculating Your Calorie Needs, including meal planning resources and FAQ sheets for backpackers

Get Your FREE Guide

Tips for using the Calorie Calculator and how to use your results correctly!

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(Most hikers unknowingly make mistakes when calculating their calorie needs—don’t let this happen to you!)

This FREE guide will help you:

  • Understand your results so you don’t over- or under-pack food.
  • Avoid common mistakes that lead to inaccurate estimates.
  • Get expert-backed meal planning tips for maximizing trail energy.

"I used the calculator for my seven-day Sierras loop hike. The calculator estimated 4,700 calories each day, but I didn’t believe it so I split the difference 😬 between my normal caloric intake and 4700 and settled on a daily intake of 3,200. My Garmin recorded an average 4,000+ calories on easy days, and 5,000+ on high-effort days. My body was not fueled effectively 😩 and bonked because I didn’t follow the calculator.
I will closely follow the calculator for future trips!!"
— Peter G.

Need Help Planning?

Backcountry Foodie's Other Services Can Help!

Backcountry Foodie ultralight backpacking recipe membership displayed on laptop and mobile, featuring high-calorie, trail-tested meals

Ultralight Recipes

Ultralight backpacking recipes designed by a dietitian. Lightweight, high-calorie meals for optimal trail nutrition.

Get 250+ Trail-Ready Recipes
Backcountry Foodie meal planner displayed on a laptop, showing multi-day backpacking meal plans designed for nutrition and efficiency.

Meal Planner

Simplify backpacking meal prep with our ultralight meal planner. Save time, reduce weight, and fuel your adventures with ease.

Plan Your Trail Meals Now
Backcountry Foodie nutrition coaching session on a laptop and smartphone, featuring live video and chat support from expert dietitians.

Nutrition Coaching​

Get expert backpacking nutrition advice from registered dietitians. Optimize trail meals, energy, and performance with 1-on-1 coaching.

Get Expert Advice Now

What Our Members Are Saying

Excited backpacker smiling next to a Colorado Trail sign at Engineer Mountain, wearing sunglasses and a hiking pack.
"Backcountry Foodie was a wonderful resource for my Colorado Trail planning. The recipes were easy and tasty, the tools were streamlined and easy to use, and the food planning which I had been dreading turned out to be fun! Thanks, Backcountry Foodie, for a great experience!"

Caroline D.

Female hiker wearing a sun hat and pink neck gaiter standing in front of a Lincoln Gap Long Trail sign, ready for an outdoor adventure.
"I am just so wowed by your recipes!  I am doing tests at home at this point and I am more excited than ever to get out backpacking so I can eat more of what I have been testing.  These calorie-bomb meals are delicious, but would be very dangerous if I made them part of my home meal routine. 😉"

Robin M.

Male hiker wearing a beanie and outdoor gear, posing with a scenic mountain landscape in the background on a clear, sunny day.
"I’ve been using Backcountryfoodie.com for over a year. I like the variety of meal recipes, but I really appreciate that Aaron is making sure that I’m getting a balance of carbs, fats, and protein. That keeps me hiking strong."

David B.

Deborah Anderson Backcountry Foodie ultralight recipes and backpacking meal planning website testimonial headshot
"Yesterday was the first time I used your meal planner feature to create my own with your recipes and I LOVE it! Having the water and oils quantities listed in the nutritional count was a surprising and most appreciated find! This will be our first thru hike and we are leaning heavily on your nutrition guidance and are very grateful for you."

Deborah A.

Andrea Mueller Backcountry Foodie ultralight recipes and meal planning website testimonial headshot
"I love what Aaron is doing! I firmly believe that nutrition is key to SO many parts of life and my biggest fear of a thru hike was not nourishing my body in a way that would help me have sustained energy, maintain muscle and stay mentally strong for 6 months. However, then I found Backcountry Foodie and I feel like it is TOTALLY possible."

Andrea M.

Paul Herr Backcountry Foodie ultralight recipe and meal planning website testimonial headshot
"On my five-day hike, your meals/recipes stood out. I look forward to them each day. In fact, for the meals where I did not use your recipes, I was disappointed in myself for not using your meals. You and your recipes definitely added to the quality of my trip!!!!!"

Paul H.

Ellie Average Hiker Backcountry Foodie ultralight recipes and meal planning website testimonial headshot
"Backcountry Foodie offers quick recipes that are easy to make, and they cover the sphere – cold soak, hot, gluten free, vegetarian, etc. You name it, they really do have something for everyone. As I get older and hike further, keeping my pack weight low while maintaining healthy nutrition is important." Read full review here.

Ellie

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