Hiking tips and advice for beginners
19 practical tips for your first hikes, organised around planning, choosing gear, walking safely and responding when something goes wrong.
Before you leave
1.Choose a short, waymarked first route
2.Calculate time using elevation, not distance alone
3.Check the mountain forecast on the same day
4.Tell someone your exact route and return time
5.Download the map before losing signal
Gear that matters
1.Break in your boots before a long hike
2.Dress in layers and avoid cotton
3.Carry water, food, a waterproof layer and a head torch
4.Protect yourself from the sun in every season
On the trail
1.Walk at a pace that lets you talk
2.Drink before you feel thirsty
3.Eat small amounts regularly
4.Stop at the first sign of rubbing
5.The group moves at its slowest member's pace
If things go wrong
1.Stop and return to the last known point if unsure
2.Turn back early when conditions worsen
3.Call 112 for an emergency in Spain or the EU