Top 6 ideas for promoting hiking trips

You have the perfect hiking trip planned, but your sign-up sheet is looking sparse. In a crowded market of guided adventures and endless national park options, how do you make your trip stand out? Effective promotion is no longer optional, it’s essential. If you want to get the word out, it requires more than just a passion for the trail. You need a smart and well-made strategy. So, there are a number of actionable steps you need to take. These tips will help you find your audience, craft a message that resonates, and turn interest into confirmed bookings.

Run a SEO-optimized travel blog

An SEO-optimized blog attracts hikers actively searching for adventures. Start by researching long-tail keywords people use, like ‘best day hikes near Asheville’ or ‘what to pack for a Rockies hiking trip’.

Write detailed, helpful posts based on these topics, such as trail guides, gear reviews, or training tips. Naturally include your keywords in the title, headings, and image alt text. Most importantly, within these valuable articles, include clear calls-to-action and links to your relevant guided trips. This strategy establishes you as a trusted expert and drives qualified, organic traffic directly from search engines to your booking page.

Share educational posts on social media

Go beyond simple promotion by establishing yourself as a hiking expert on social media. Share valuable, educational content that helps your audience. You can create short video Reels on ‘How to pack a daypack’, or design Instagram carousel posts explaining ‘Leave No Trace’ principles or how to read a trail map. 

Once you provide useful tips, add a soft call-to-action. For example, ‘Want to put these skills to the test with a guide? Check out our upcoming trips!’ This approach builds trust and authority, making potential customers more confident in booking an adventure with a true professional. Design these posts using the travel templates on PosterMyWall to make them visually attractive and organized. 

Leverage influencer collaborations

To leverage influencer marketing, focus on authenticity over audience size. Partner with micro-influencers in the outdoor adventure or regional travel space whose followers genuinely trust their content.

Instead of a cash payment, offer them a complimentary spot on one of your trips. In exchange, agree on clear deliverables: a specific number of high-quality posts, Instagram Reels or Stories, and the rights to use their photos in your own marketing. This approach provides powerful social proof from a trusted voice, generates stunning content for your brand, and introduces your hiking trips to a highly relevant and engaged audience.

Encourage user-generated content

Encourage your guests to become your best marketers by actively seeking user-generated content (UGC). For this purpose, create a unique, memorable hashtag for your company and encourage guests to use it. During the trip, point out perfect photo opportunities. Afterwards, run a photo contest, offering a prize like a discount on a future hike for the best shot shared.

Always ask for permission, then feature the best guest photos and videos prominently on your own social media and website. This creates a community and provides powerful, authentic social proof that is more persuasive than any traditional advertisement.

Set up email campaigns

A good email marketing strategy is necessary for promoting your hiking trip. Start by building your email list by offering a valuable lead magnet on your website, like a free downloadable packing checklist or a local trail guide. Then, once you have subscribers, nurture them with regular newsletters containing useful tips, links to your blog, and stunning photos. This will help you build a relationship before you sell.

For promotions, announce new trips to your email list first, offering an exclusive early-bird discount. Use a service like PosterMyWall’s tool for email campaigns to create one that builds excitement and urgency, with follow-up emails. This way, your email marketing can serve as a powerful tool for driving direct bookings.

Run paid ads

Paid ads on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Google can connect you directly with your ideal hikers. When it comes to Facebook and Instagram, use your most stunning trip photos and videos. So, target users based on specific interests like hiking, backpacking, competitor pages, or gear brands.

Also use Google Ads to bid on keywords people are actively searching for, like ‘guided hiking trips in Utah’. Start with a small budget to test which visuals and audiences respond best. Crucially, run retargeting campaigns to remind website visitors of the adventure they were considering, as this often yields the highest returns.

You don’t need a massive marketing budget to effectively promote your hiking trips. It requires consistency, authenticity, and a clear understanding of the tools at your disposal. You now have a playbook of actionable strategies. So, start small, test what works for your audience, and don’t be afraid to let your genuine passion for the outdoors shine through in everything you do. The hikers are out there; these steps will help them find you.