Hiking can be intimidating for beginners, but it requires no special skills; all you need is the ability to walk and know where you are. Hiking has always been an important part of my holiday plans. I’ve always wanted to take a quick, easy walk. When I’m planning my next holiday, I always look for hiking trails as well as low-cost lodging or activities. When I go hiking, I look for places to camp in the wild. Hiking and wild camping go hand in hand. This 10 Hiking Tips For Beginners will give you some essential hiking guides and tips to make your first hike safe and fun.
Leave no Trace!
Please have respect for the hike and other hikers, don’t litter or throw fruit peels, especially Banana, click here to find out why.
The outdoors is experiencing a renaissance, which is wonderful, but there are some negative consequences. Be an outdoors advocate and steward of nature. If we all use the trails responsibly and vote for candidates who support the outdoors, there will be more funding for parks and trails, which means more hiking opportunities for all of us. If we leave any more empty water bottles or poop bags on the trail, it will be closed.
Pick an Easy Hiking Trail
The most common rookie mistake is overdoing it. They select a walk that is either too long or too difficult for them. If you’re just getting started, pick a walk that’s less than 5 miles long and has little climbing. Make a training plan ahead of time if you intend to go on a longer walk. Increase your weekly mileage by one or two miles per week until you reach your target distance.
Remember to factor in the total amount of climbing on your walk. A flat 5 mile is not the same as a straight uphill 5 mile. There are numerous excellent resources for locating a trail. You can also go to websites such as GaiaGPS or AllTrails. Before you leave, you should become acquainted with the trail. Read the trail guide to learn what to expect, where to turn, and how long the walk should take. There is no need for you to memorise anything. You should just have an idea of what to expect.
Chose a Hiking Gear
With hiking you will not needing a special gear. You might be able to use whatever you have already. However, when you are going on hike, you still have to consider the type of terrain and the weather. You do not want to walk in your espadrilles in a muddy or rocky terrain. A proper walking shoe will still be advisable to avoid ruining your shoes and having blisters.
CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO HIKING TIPS FOR BEGINNERS!
Hiking is an all year round activity, in summer and dry season you can simply go out and hike wearing your t-shirts and shorts. However, during cold and wet months you need to make sure that you are wearing a thicker clothes that will keep you warm and dry. To make sure you have all you need to start hiking check out our Hiking Essentials Checklist for Beginners.
Start Early
When it is your first time hiking on your own or with some friends I would highly recommend to start early. If your chosen hiking trail is popular you might find it difficult to find a parking spot. Starting early will also avoid too much crowd in the trails.
Check the weather, the earlier you start your day of hiking the more time you will have to check for weather changes and make necessary adjustments to your hiking plan.
Starting early will also allow you to be able to check your backpack if you have all you need for your hike.
Buy a Water Bladder
Water bladders are the most convenient way to carry water on your hike. It is the perfect size for your rucksack. When compared to bottles, bladders allow you to transport more water in a more efficient and comfortable manner. If you have a long distance to travel, it is very hot, or you sweat a lot and need to carry a lot of water, bladders are a great option.
There are a lot of choices in Amazon.com.
Tell Someone
Tell someone where and when you’ll be hiking, at the very least. It can be as simple as texting the walk webpage and indicating that you’ll be back at a certain time. If something bad happens, your chances of being found will increase dramatically. Some popular hiking trail in the UK will display a contact number to call in case of an emergency. Take note of this number as you never know when you going to need it.
Trim your Toenails!
Take the time to trim your toenails before a long walk, especially one with long descents. It’s best to keep your toes as short as possible to avoid extra nail length. File the nails down until they are flush with the skin if necessary. I forgot to do this when I did my Jurassic Coast Hike in Dorset, and I regretted it. My left big toe’s nail has come off! It was horrible and painful!
Avoid Cotton Socks & Bring Extra Socks on your Hike!
Wearing proper socks is one method of avoiding blisters. This means avoiding 100% cotton socks, which absorb sweat and can cause blisters. Socks made of synthetics or a blend of synthetics and cotton wick moisture away and keep your feet dry and cool. Also, make sure your socks are properly fitted. Socks that are too big can bunch together in boots, causing friction and blisters.
Bring extra socks on long hike. As mentioned sweat can cause blisters and your feet will sweat a lot on long walks. Make sure you change your socks after few hrs of long walking. When I feel that my socks becomes spongy, that is my sign that I need to change them.
Bring Pain Killers & First Aid Kit
According to Clevelandclinic.Org, when you exert yourself, your body needs more blood and oxygen. Scientists believe an exertional headache occurs when an activity causes veins and arteries to expand to allow more blood flow. That expansion and increased blood pressure create pressure in the skull, which causes the pain.
There has been many occasion when I had my migraine triggered during a hike. So I always made sure to bring pain killers all the time. A first aid kit would also be recommend to be on the safe side.
Hiking is not a Race!
Take your time. Do not rush your hike. Conserve your energy, especially on a long hike. Take as many breaks as you can. That is why as mentioned above start your day early, so then you do not need to rush in finishing your hike.
Hiking at a comfortable pace is also a great way just to soak it all in. Enjoy the outdoors, enjoy the fresh air, keep your eyes open for wildlife, and have fun.
Don’t forget to read our Hiking Essentials Checklist for Beginners to make sure you are fully equipped for your next hiking adventure!
