Hike the Planet 2026

What is Hike the Planet?

This global campaign invites Scouts everywhere to step outside, explore their surroundings, and take part in a shared adventure with Scouts around the world. Participants log their kilometres on the JOTA-JOTI platform, from short walks in local parks to full-day hikes in the outdoors. The goal? To collectively hike the equivalent of the Earth’s circumference while having fun, connecting with others, and discovering the world around us.

Through this activity, we want Scouts to:

Reflect on Your Achievements

Think back on your hike—whether with your Scout Group, family, or friends. Every kilometer you logged contributed to a global goal. Share your favorite memories and inspire others to join next time!

Keep Exploring Nature

The journey doesn’t end here! Keep exploring your local environment, discovering plants, animals, and unique ecosystems. Plan more hikes and keep making a positive impact!

Keep the Spirit Alive

Let’s keep the momentum going! Plan outdoor adventures, learn about biodiversity, and make every hike count. Together, we can continue to hike the planet, all year round!

Log your hike!

Add your hike details to this website/webpage:
Include your details/document the hike
Add photos/take consent

Details on the app we’ll be using for this year’s Hike the Planet will be shared soon!

Contribute to a Peaceful and Inclusive World:

A hike is more than reaching a destination. It is an opportunity to slow down, connect with the people around you, listen to different perspectives, and think about how we can create communities where everyone feels welcome.

As you Hike the Planet, choose one or more activities that will make your journey peaceful, inclusive, and meaningful.

Peace Circle

While on the hike, Scouts are encouraged to organize their very own Peace Circle activity. In this activity, Scouts discuss various topics and look for ways to tackle inequality, discrimination, prejudice, hate speech, or intolerance. This Peace Circle can take place anywhere during, before or even after the hike. The Dialogue will be facilitated by a leader and should not take more than 30-45 minutes.

Please follow the activity guidelines, which you can find at the bottom of this page.

Walk n’ Talk for Peace

Choose a question to discuss while you walk:

What does peace look like in our community?
What makes someone feel that they belong?
What is one small thing we can do to make our Scout Group more inclusive?
How can we respond when we see someone being excluded?
What could young people do to bring different communities together?

There are no right or wrong answers here; listen, exchange ideas, and learn from one another.

Silent Kilometer

Walk part of your route in silence. Put away phones, listen to the sounds around you, and notice things you might normally overlook.

At the end, stop together and share one thing you heard, noticed, or thought about.

You can also explore some other activities during the hike

Come back closer to the event to browse some activities that you can take on your hike!

We’ve done this before! Take a glimpse at the last edition of Hike the Planet in 2024:

During JOTA-JOTI 2024, over 6,000 Scouts from more than 80 countries came together to take on the “Hike the Planet” challenge. Together, we hiked beyond the circumference of the Earth—nearly doubling our original goal! Every step you took made a difference, showcasing the incredible power of collective action for a greener planet.

Peace Circles in Hike the Planet:

Hike the Planet: Trailside Peace Circle Guide

Designed specifically for Scout and Rover leaders to implement seamlessly along the trail, this pop-up activity merges outdoor exploration with active reflection.

Activity Overview

Target Audience: Scouts and Rovers on the trail

Duration: 30 to 45 minutes

Objective: Connect physical movement through nature with personal reflection, community building, and local-to-global sustainability values.

Setting: A natural clearing along the hike route (e.g., forest opening, lakeside, or summit)

Leader Preparation (Before the Hike)

Pack Kit: A piece of rope or biodegradable twine (approx. 5 meters), a journal or notebook, a pen, and a token or "talking piece" (such as a smooth stone or pinecone).

Briefing: Review the three core pillars of the session with co-leaders: Heart (compassion/values), Head (awareness/knowledge), and Hands (action/commitment).

Step-by-Step Implementation for Leaders

1. Formation and Grounding (5 Minutes)

Action: When arriving at the designated scenic clearing, invite the patrol or group to form a circle standing or sitting on the ground. Lay the loop of rope or twine in the center to physically outline the "Peace Circle boundary."

Leader Script: "We’ve spent miles traversing this landscape with our feet. Let’s pause for a few moments to check in with ourselves, each other, and the environment that surrounds us."

2. The Heart Check: Silent Reflection (10 Minutes)

Action: Pass the talking stone around the circle. When holding the stone, each participant has 60 seconds to share one observation from the hike that made them feel grateful, challenged, or connected to nature.

Leader Prompt: "What part of today's trail challenged your resilience, and what moment brought you peace?"

3. The Head Check: Trailside Dialogue (10 Minutes)

Action: Pose a short, open-ended question relating the hike to broader global stewardship or community impact. Encourage participants to link local outdoor ethics (Leave No Trace) with global responsibilities.

Leader Prompt: "As hikers, we protect the trails we love. How can the teamwork and respect we practice out here be carried back to our home communities?"

4. The Hands Check: The Trail Pact (10 Minutes)

Action: Have the group co-create a simple, actionable commitment. Write down one collective pledge on the group’s log or journal (e.g., organizing a local green space cleanup or mentoring younger scouts on environmental care).

Leader Prompt: "Let’s commit to one tangible action we will take within the next month to make our local community more sustainable or inclusive."

5. Closing (5 Minutes)

Action: Wrap up the circle by inviting everyone to place a hand together over the center rope to symbolize unity.

Leader Script: "Thank you for sharing the journey. Pack up the rope, leave no trace, and let's continue down the trail together.”