Beginners Guide to Hiking: 7 Tips to Get you Started
It’s no secret about my love of hiking. Being outdoors is fun, free and has a multitude of benefits, from being out in nature, to increasing fitness levels, and reducing stress. It’s been a love of mine that has helped me connect with myself, remove me away from our concrete jungles and process my thoughts. The rawness of nature has this grounding effect in that I just feel total peace. It creates moments of stillness, with panoramic views, so many lush greens, different pathways, to wildlife and the natural beauty of the landscape. Not to mention a great way to improve your base level fitness during the week and on weekends.
I absolutely love sharing my hiking adventures to anyone who will listen. A common question I am asked is “how do I get started with hiking?” This is definitely an activity for everyone, covering different landscapes, views and the people you choose to do it with or if you want to trial it out solo. You don’t have to have been born into a family of hiking lovers to get started. So I have created this beginners guide so that you can apply it to anywhere in the world, to get you started and those endorphins flowing.
To make sure you get the best start possible and be more in the know you can follow these tips below. If you’re like me you’ll also know that learning different things for yourself as you experiment too is just as important. As long as you’re focusing on safety and not leading with your ego then you’re good to go as the mountains can become dangerous very quickly if you don’t have your wits about you.
First and foremost is learning how to find the right hiking trails for you. With modern technology nowadays we can opt into using the internet too.
1) How To Find Hiking Trails:
There are now more hiking trails than ever before with so many amazing resources for hikes and different ways of sourcing them. Here are a few of my favourite ways to find trails near me or when I am abroad:
Google. The internet is, of course, a great resource when planning trails. I love to research hiking blogs to find their top recommendations, as well as research local tourism boards of their recommendations.
Apps. I love the app AllTrails and I am a paying subscriber. I also have used Komoot in the past and Outdoor Active apps. Therefore finding the routes that will benefit you from what others have followed before as well as recording your own too. The best part is that you can save, download and use them offline so if your phone runs out of signal (which it can often do when you’re in the hills and mountains).
Hiking Trail Books & Maps. I like to use these and vary the skills required to assist with navigation. If you’re brand new to hiking I highly recommend using the app but ensuring your phone is fully charged too.
Local Tourism Information Centres. If you’re in a foreign country or in awesome spots in the UK like the Lake District and are struggling to find or decide what trails online to do, I would always recommend checking out a tourist information centre. They’re super helpful and have knowledge of the local area to help you get the best from each hike.
2) Choose Your Hike:
When considering a hiking adventure, it's crucial to select a trail that aligns with your capabilities, particularly if you're a beginner and still acquainting yourself with hiking routes. Take care not to dive headlong into challenging and strenuous paths. From my personal experiences and mountain expertise, I can attest that things can rapidly turn unfavourable. However, I don't mean to deter you; it's simply essential to be well-informed upfront so you can assess risks and prioritise your safety above all else.
Avoid venturing onto "difficult" trails if you lack hiking experience or don't possess a solid foundation of physical fitness, as it may not be an enjoyable experience. Instead, to gauge your fitness level and abilities, you can consider these key variables:
Distance
Duration
Difficulty (some hikes will be classified by difficulty, especially online. This isn’t usually written in guidebooks.).
Elevation
Time Of Year
Weather.
Once you’ve assessed the above points you can make a choice on the trail you want to undertake depending on the time you have available. If you start on an easier route you can understand what works best for you. Every trail will be different but this will ensure you can understand more of what you want to experience that day and time.
3) Get The Right Kit:
Hiking is much more enjoyable when you have the right kit. This is especially so when the weather is hot or cold. There is nothing worse than not being prepared for the conditions. The most important elements are:
Waterproofs. Jackets, trousers, shoes and a backpack cover. I recommend looking for kit which is made from Gore-Tex – the best breathable waterproof fabric on the market. There are hundreds of brands to choose from that include this fabric. Go Outdoors is a great place to sign up to if you’re based outside the UK to get mega discounts if you’re a member.
Layers. Always bring multiple layers for both your upper and lower body, the weather is unpredictable so always make sure you’re prepared.
Footwear. Comfortable and broken in footwear. I personally wear specialist hiking trainers or trail shoes for shorter and more simple routes. In the winter and much tougher conditions I will be more likely to wear chunkier hiking boots with ankle support for longer distances or more challenging trails.
A backpack. For a day hike around 20-25 litres should be enough storage. Make sure you get one with comfortable straps and a breathable back. I love brands like Osprey, Marmot, Deuter which have great options and to suit your budget. If you are going to be hiking regularly I would recommend paying the higher price for a decent backpack so that a couple of hikes in you’re not having to go shopping again.
For the full essentials of what to pack for a day hike check out my post here - What To Wear: My Day Hiking Kit & Essentials. Be sure to note that things will change slightly when it comes to winter, autumn, summer and spring around layers and hydration.
4) Pack The Essentials:
For a day hike I would always recommend carrying:
Water (roughly one litre for every 1-2 hours)
I always recommend bringing electrolytes or a drink that helps keep your energy levels high too
Sun cream and sunglasses
A first aid kit - helping with blisters, sprained ankles and alcohol for open wounds
A mobile phone (and a portable charger - this saves me everytime)
Snacks (more than you think and no it’s not about weight loss here)
Navigation tools (not just a GPS enabled phone but some options for if your phone dies i.e. a map and a compass)
A headlamp/small torch if you’re starting early or get lost
Your clothing layers, waterproofs and appropriate kit for the weather
Toilet roll and a bag to put it in afterwards if nature calls.
5) What To Do Before You Hike:
Find a friend to hike with, especially if you’re a novice and they have some more experience. This is for safety reasons, but also because it’s such a pleasure to share the great outdoors with someone.
Fuel up. Hiking can be hard work so ensure you have eaten a good solid meal and enough water before you hit the trail.
Double-check the weather and that the kit you’re bringing is appropriate is super important.
Go over the route and make sure you have it saved offline, as you may well lose phone signal the closer you get to the mountains.
Tell someone where you are going and how long you will be, for safety. Sharing the route is wise too so they can look for you if needed.
6) Basic Hiking Etiquette:
When you’re on the trail, here is some basic hiking guidance to bear in mind:
If it's a narrow trail, those hiking uphill have the right of way
Stay on the trail, don’t contribute to erosion of natural habitats.
Don’t play music out-loud, use headphones to not spoil the stillness of nature
Similarly, no shouting or excessive noise
When peeing outdoors, do it away from the trail and 200ft minimum from any water sources
Don’t leave your rubbish on the hills and mountains, take it all back with you. I recommend taking a plastic bag to collect your rubbish - even your fruit skins too.
Say hello, smile to people you’re passing by, acknowledging others is such a nice way of being outdoors.
7) What to eat and drink on your hike
This is dependent on what kind of trail or hike you’re doing for the duration. I’ve outlined some basics here for you to try:
Shorter Hikes (1-3 hours)
Pack 1.5 litres of water (depending on your body size and how much you typically drink; you may need to alter this)
Bring a couple of oat bars, chocolate bars ( I love a snickers as it’s packed with a load of energy and chocolate for good measure)
Take some fruit like an apple, banana, grapes and what carries well
If you like your tea or coffee, save it in a hot flask. Or if you’re on board with the Germans (my side of the family love having a cold beer at the top of the peak)
Plan for a lunch or dinner after the hike to restore your energy levels.
Longer Hikes 3+ hours)
Apply what you have done as per the above but make sure you’re onboarding carbohydrates every hour whether it’s a banana, to nuts and oat bars.
After a couple of hours take a longer break, or especially when you reach the top have a sandwich, salad, croissant, or whatever takes your fancy to give you enough energy as you ascend the trail.
Bring more water - at least 2 litres to make sure you’re staying hydrated. Electrolytes are great for this to boost all the minerals you’re losing whilst on the move or sweating it out.
Bottom Line: Embrace the great outdoors! Use the comprehensive list above with all of the considerations and activities, perfect for those who are new to this activity. Once you've taken those initial steps, you'll establish a packing routine that simplifies every outing. Hiking presents an incredible opportunity to delve into nature, discover new wonders, and keep your body active. Give it a try, and you'll be hooked for life!
Adventure Fit 8-12 Week Fitness Programme
Now, if this blog tickled your adventurous bone and you're keen on stepping into the world of hiking or levelling up your outdoor game, I've got you covered. Dive into those blog posts, the ones that'll guide you through those baby steps or those daring leaps into the wild. Because, hey, my mission? To get both the ladies and gents out there, basking in nature's glory, uncovering its secrets, and embracing all the goodness it has to offer!
If you’re on a quest to get fit for the mountains then look no further and join me on my 8 week Adventure Fit programme. The aim is to help you build your fitness, build your strength, and bulletproof your knees and joints to withstand the mileage you’ll be trekking. Find out more about the programme here: Adventure Fit GYM - 8 Week Strength & Fitness Programme or Adventure Fit MINIMAL - 8 Week Strength & Fitness Programme (great if you’re on the move and don’t have much equipment with you).
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