Travel alert

Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.

Travel insurance for your hiking trip

Exploring the world on foot? Consider travel insurance before your hiking adventure.

15% off travel insurance for nib Health members*

Exploring the world on foot provides a perspective you simply can’t get from behind the steering wheel, or while gazing out of a tour bus window. It slows things down. Immerses you in a destination.

Whether you’re drawn to grand adventures that will take you to new heights (like the top of Mount Kilimanjaro), want to forge a deeper connection to Country on the Larapinta Trail, or are fascinated by the history and culture of cities like Berlin and Kyoto, you’re sure to find a walking or hiking tour to satisfy your itchy feet.

Cover for your hiking and trekking gear

Gear cover is available under the luggage and personal effects benefit for accidental loss, theft, and accidental damage. For example, for things like your hiking boots, camping equipment, sleeping bag and favourite hiking jacket.

For more expensive items (over the sub limits in the PDS), you can avoid depreciation by choosing to specify these items when purchasing your policy for an additional premium. To find out more about cover for luggage and valuables check out our travel insurance coverage article for lost, stolen or damaged bags and personal effects.

Tips for your hiking or waking adventure

  • If you plan to go on a walk or hike far from a main city or town, we suggest you inform a local assistance company of your trekking route and policy details. Also let your family and friends know your plans, and where you are going and when you expect to be back from your hike.

  • If you’re hiking and are injured or suddenly fall ill please get in contact with the Emergency Assistance team, they will help you out with medical treatment, or evacuation. The team will contact a suitable assistance or ambulance company and arrange medical care.

  • Check which countries your trail passes through to ensure your policy covers you for that country or region.

Traveller tip: When you take out travel insurance for hiking, or any other activity, it’s important to choose the level of cover best-suited to your travel plans. It’s always a good idea to check the terms, conditions limitations and exclusions of your policy, so you’re familiar with exactly what your hiking travel insurance does and doesn’t cover.

Why consider travel insurance for your hiking or walking trip^

No matter where your roaming feet take you, there may be times you stumble along the way. Whether you plan to tackle Australia’s famed Overland Track in Tasmania or join a walking tour of the boroughs in New York City, our domestic and international travel insurance policies are designed to help if your hiking holiday veers off course. Depending on the policy you choose, some key benefits of our hiking travel insurance include:

Overseas emergency medical cover

You don’t have to be hiking to Everest base camp for travel insurance to be valuable when it comes to overseas emergency medical cover. If the worst happens, nib may be able to help with mounting medical bills if you need to see a doctor or find yourself in hospital.

Medical evacuation and repatriation

Whether you’re on a walking tour in the far-reaches of Central Australia or hiking through the Swiss Alps, if you take a stumble or become suddenly ill you may need urgent medical evacuation, or even repatriation home once we have approved it.

Luggage and personal effects

Sometimes the thing that goes wrong isn’t on your trek. If you become separated from your luggage or personal effects, we may be able to help replace the essentials so the mishap doesn’t dampen your hiking or walking holiday. Terms and conditions apply.

^Coverage is subject to the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions for each policy, as contained in the Product Disclosure Statement. Consider the PDS, FSG, and TMD to see if the product is right for you.

3 Incredible walking and hiking tours in Australia and overseas

Bay of Fires Walk, Tasmania

Walking tours need not be a rough and rugged experience. On the Bay of Fires Lodge Walk you can traipse through nature by day and snuggle down in a cosy doona by night — the trail is the perfect combination of active and luxury. Over four days you’ll amble over talcum-powder-white beaches, marvel at magnificent scenery, and encounter majestic wildlife in the Bay of Fires, a region known for its striking ochre and cerulean colour palette and pristine natural landscape.

Larapinta Trail, Northern Territory

An epic hike stretching more than 200km through the Northern Territory, the Larapinta Trail is one of the most challenging yet spectacular outback experiences you can have in Australia. It delves into the rich culture and history of the region, running the West MacDonnell Ranges. Hikers can tackle the entire 223 kilometres end to end or explore the trail in bite size pieces (the trail is made up of 12 sections).

Kyoto walking tours

Kyoto is a city steeped in fascinating culture, with wondrous sites to see no matter where your feet take you within the city’s walls. A plethora of walking tours are on offer, allowing you to do a deep dive into famous pockets—like the awe-inspiring Shinto Shrine—as well as lesser-known temples, eateries, and the world of the geisha.

Traveller tip: If you love the idea of walking and hiking without needing to push yourself to extremes, get involved with ‘soft hiking’. It's hiking, but at a slower pace – an experience rather than a challenge. This is a great way to see a destination and wonderful for your mental and physical health, no matter if you’re doing it alone or with a group of friends.

Already trekking and forgot your travel insurance?

Waiting periods will apply.

Still have questions?

If you still have questions about travel insurance for trekking or you need to make a claim, we’re here to help. In case of a medical emergency, the experienced 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team are always on hand to help.

Frequently asked questions about hiking and travel insurance

The above features and benefits are a summary of cover only. Cover is subject to the full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions outlined in the Product Disclosure Statement.

nib Travel Insurance Distribution Pty Limited, ABN 40 129 262 175, AR 336467 is an authorised representative of nib Travel Services (Australia) Pty Ltd (nib), ABN 81 115 932 173, AFSL 308461 and act as nib's agent and not as your agent. This is general advice only. Before you buy, you should consider your needs, the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS), Financial Services Guide (FSG) and Target Market Determination (TMD) available from us. This insurance is underwritten by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd, ABN 83 169 311 193.

We are a signatory to the General Insurance Code of Practice developed by the Insurance Council of Australia and enforced by the Code Governance Committee, an independent body whose purpose is to drive better Code compliance and help the insurance industry improve its service to consumers. The Code is designed to promote good relations and insurance practice between insurers, authorised representatives and consumers. The Code sets out what we must do when dealing with you. You can obtain a copy of the Code from codeofpractice.com.au.

*The discount applies to the total nib travel insurance premium and is for customers that currently hold an Australian health insurance product, or an Overseas Student Health Cover product with nib. The discount is not available to customers who hold an Overseas Visitors Health Cover product. Discounts do not apply to the rate of GST and stamp duty or any changes you make to the policy. nib has the discretion to withdraw or amend this discount offer at any time. This discount cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotional offer or discount.