Easy Long-Haul Recipes for Long Trail Hikers
These hiker-friendly meals—with the right ratio of carbs/fat/protein—belong on any trail menu.
Pesto Pasta
Ramen noodles are deep-fried before packaging, which gives them more fat than regular pasta. This easy dish replaces the high-sodium flavor pack with tasty pesto. Serves 1
2 Tbsp. dried mushrooms
2 Tbsp. dried peppers
1 Tbsp. dried onion
1 package ramen
1 ½ Tbsp. dried pesto (such as Knorr)
1 Tbsp. olive oil
In camp: Bring 1 cup of water to a boil, add dried veggies and ramen, making sure there is enough water to cover ingredients. Turn off the stove, cover the pot, and wait 5 minutes. Add pesto packet and oil and stir.

No-Bake Oatmeal Cookies
This easy-prep dessert delivers a nutritious mix of calcium and calories, and offers a nice change from Snickers bars. Makes 12 cookies
2 Tbsp. oil
1 ½ cup quick-cook oats
¼ cup hot chocolate drink mix
1/3 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. powdered milk
2 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. nut butter
¼ cup granola
In camp: Bring ¼ cup water and oil to a boil. Stir in quick oats, hot chocolate powder, sugar, milk, and salt. Remove from heat. Add peanut butter, let cool, and shape in walnut-size balls. Roll balls in granola and flatten. Tip: Eat half for dessert and half for breakfast the next day.