COstrekking

COstrekking is a budgeting-oriented form of trekking that emphasizes planning, documenting, and minimizing the financial costs of a trekking expedition while maintaining safety and environmental responsibility. The term is informal and lacks a single governing body; it arose in online travel communities in the early 2020s as hikers sought ways to make long-distance trekking more affordable.

Practitioners typically use cost-tracking tools and published itineraries to estimate total expenses, including permits, gear, food, transportation, and contingency funds. Routes are selected for lower lodging and food costs, such as shared shelters, hostels, camping where legal, or cook-your-own meals. Gear is pooled within groups when possible, and some expeditions rely on public transport or long-distance hitchhiking to reduce transport costs. Documentation and open-sharing of cost-per-day data are common, enabling comparison across routes and seasons.

Benefits include increased accessibility for first-time trekkers, greater transparency in expedition planning, and opportunities for community collaboration and gear sharing. Criticism focuses on potential safety trade-offs if cost savings influence risk assessment, as well as the risk of crowding popular low-cost routes and neglecting local regulation or environmental impact. Best practices emphasize staying within legal bounds, securing necessary permits, practicing Leave No Trace, and prioritizing safety over savings.

COstrekking remains a niche practice within the broader trekking and budget-travel communities. It is compatible with conventional trekking ethics and can be integrated with established route planning and risk-management frameworks. See also trekking, budget travel, cost-effective travel planning.