What to do if you get lost in the hills

Losing the path is more common than you might think, especially in fog or as evening falls. What makes the difference is reacting early rather than continuing in the hope that the path will reappear.

1. Stop as soon as you are unsure

Every minute you keep walking while disorientated increases the distance from your last known position. Stop, drink, eat something and breathe: decisions made in a hurry and when hungry are poorer.

2. Establish your position

1. Open the map and look for the last waymark or junction you clearly remember.
2. Identify visible features of the landscape: a river, a ridge, a track, a reservoir.
3. Check your coordinates using your phone's GPS and locate them on the map.

3. Decide whether to go back or stay put

If you know for certain which way you came and there is enough daylight left, retrace your steps to the last safe point. If you do not know, or if it is already late, or if there is fog, it is safer to stay somewhere visible and sheltered than to descend over unfamiliar terrain.

Warning:Never descend a ravine or gully to take a ‘shortcut’ towards the valley. They often end in sheer drops and are the cause of many rescues and serious accidents.

4. Ask for help

In Spain and throughout the European Union, the emergency number is 112. When calling, give the following information in order: what has happened, how many people are in your group, whether anyone is injured, your coordinates or the most precise geographical reference you have, your approximate altitude, the current weather and how much phone battery you have left. Afterwards, keep your phone switched on and conserve its battery.

If you have no mobile coverage, try gaining height or finding an open spot. An emergency call can sometimes be connected through another available network even if your own provider has no signal.

5. Make yourself visible while you wait

• Put on all the clothing you have and insulate yourself from the ground; cold is the greatest risk while waiting.
• Use your emergency blanket with the silver side facing your body.
• Position yourself in a clearing visible from the air, not under dense tree cover.
• International distress signals: six whistle blasts or flashes per minute, followed by a one-minute pause, then repeat.
• If a helicopter appears, raise both arms in a ‘Y’ shape to indicate that you need help.

This guide is not a substitute for the emergency services or specific mountain safety training. If you have any reasonable doubt, call 112 as soon as possible: an early call makes rescue much simpler.