Beginners
How to start hiking
A practical guide to your first walk: how to choose a route, what to take, what pace to walk at and which mistakes to avoid on your first day.
8 min read
Hiking · Trekking · Mountains
Hiking tips and advice for beginners
Clear, practical guides to help you plan, enjoy and complete your hikes safely—without assuming you already know the mountains.
See 19 beginner hiking tipsPhoto: Jordiferrer · Dominio público · via Wikimedia Commons
Hiking Hub
Twelve practical areas organised around the question you need answered.
BeginnersI've never been hiking. Where do I start?The first steps: choosing a manageable route, what to take on your first day and how to avoid the most common mistakes.EquipmentWhat equipment do I need, and what can I leave at home?How to choose footwear, a rucksack and clothing layers for the way you will actually use them, without overspending.RoutesHow do I find and plan a route?Understanding distance, elevation change and waymarking, and estimating how long you will really take.SafetyWhat should I do if something goes wrong?Prevention, alerts, what to do if you get lost or someone is injured, and how to call for help correctly.PreparationHow do I prepare for a walk the day before?Planning timings, checking the forecast, letting someone know your plans and checking your rucksack.NutritionWhat should I eat, and how much water should I carry?Water, salts and easily digested food for walks lasting a few hours or a whole day.NavigationHow do I know where I am?Maps, compasses and phone GPS: the essentials for avoiding reliance on mobile reception.WeatherWhat if the weather changes?How to read a mountain weather forecast, spot signs of a storm and know when to turn back.TrekkingHow do I prepare for several days of walking?Stages, weight, mountain hut accommodation and the logistics of a multi-day trek.MountainsWhat changes when I head higher into the mountains?Walking techniques for slopes, unstable terrain, altitude and cold.FamiliesHow do I go hillwalking with children?Reasonable distances by age, pace, games and specific equipment.DogsCan I bring my dog?Common rules, water, temperature, paw pads and walking responsibly around livestock.
Start here
The guides that answer the most common questions before a hike.
Equipment
What to take on a day walk
A kit list for a day walk, arranged by priority, covering what you really need and what you can leave behind.
7 min read
Equipment
How to choose walking boots
Ankle height, sole, waterproofing and size: how to choose mountain footwear for the terrain you actually walk on.
8 min read
Equipment
How to choose a hiking rucksack
Capacity in litres by walk duration, torso fit, load-carrying systems and how to try a rucksack before buying it.
7 min read
Nutrition
How much water to take on a walk
Guideline quantities based on duration and heat, how to spread out your drinking and what to do with water from springs and streams.
6 min read
Nutrition
What to eat on a hike
How to space out your food while walking, which foods work well in a rucksack and what to avoid.
6 min read
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Every guide answers a real question, cites its sources and avoids invented figures. Routes and products only appear when their data can be verified.
There are currently 17 published guides.