Categories / Outdoor & adventure
Featured in: When you hate exercise
Geocaching
GPS treasure hunt that adds walking.
How to start
Download a geocaching app, pick a nearby cache and walk to find it. Start with easy ones.
How to progress
Try longer routes and harder caches.
What the evidence says
Evidence: limited
We found no trials of this particular activity. It encourages walking. Our Walking category and the WHO guidance apply. The general physical activity guidance applies: the WHO recommends 150 to 300 minutes of moderate activity a week for adults.
Take care: Take care on rough ground, water and roads, and tell someone where you are going.
Sources
12-week starter plan
A weekly walk with a cache goal.
Tick each week as you finish it; your ticks are saved on this device only. Repeat a week if it felt hard. Weeks 4, 8 and 12 hold steady so you can settle. This is a general plan, not medical advice.
Add reminders to your calendar
Pick your days and time. You will download a calendar file that adds 12 weeks of reminders to Google, Apple or Outlook calendar.
Calories and weekly minutes
Enter your details for a rough estimate. Based on about 3.5 METs (Typical effort for this activity (estimated)). Real figures vary by 20% or more between people.
Tips and common mistakes
Tips
- Start with easy caches.
- Take a phone.
- Respect the land.
Common mistakes
- Wandering onto private land.
- Ignoring weather.
- Going alone in remote areas.
Kit and cost
Free Approximate UK prices.
- A phone with a free app
- Walking shoes
- A small pen
Frequently asked questions
Is geocaching free?
The basic app is free.
Is it good for families?
Yes.
Is it exercise?
It encourages walking.
Good for: Fun & social Mood & stress
Compare with similar options
| Geocaching | Golf (Walking) | Archery | Lawn Bowls | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical session | 90 min × 1/wk | 240 min × 1/wk | 60 min × 1/wk | 120 min × 1/wk |
| Effort | ●○○○○ | ●○○○○ | ●○○○○ | ●○○○○ |
| Cost | Free | Moderate cost | Moderate cost | Low cost |
| Equipment | Basic kit | Some equipment | Specialist kit | Basic kit |
| Impact | Low impact | Low impact | Low impact | Low impact |
| Fitness needed | Any level | Any level | Any level | Any level |
| Evidence | limited | limited | limited | limited |