What kind of exercises would help me improve hiking?

[Tredo]

I was just at a place called Grouse mountain and I was with a group. We went to the Grouse Grind which is the hiking trail. The trail goes right to the top of the mountain and it's about 3 km (exact: 2.9 km). I made it to the top at about 55 minutes. I want to improve hiking abilities so that I can do better and faster. However, I can't go to the mountain daily. But at the local gym, are there any things that I can do to improve hiking abilities? I was thinking of the stair climbing machine.

[swanso5]

find a hill that's rather long or a path with a couple of hills and walk that 2 or so a week...you should do it with a backpack full of books or something to use as resistance...if you carry a bag during your hiking than make the wt slightly heavier but not do much that you tire out too quick...as for the gym timed sets of step ups and lunges are good 3 x 4mins each...i just trained a lady who just walked the Kokoda Trail (90kms in 5 days) and we did a lot of these and she sadi that they really helped during the walk...you also want to work on your core strength and endurance too focusing on lower back