Basic tips for hiking
Choose the route that best suits you, depending on your geographical and scenic preferences, level of difficulty, approximate duration, area, whether you are going alone or accompanied, whether you prefer a more popular route or a more secluded one, etc.
Equipment
Keep in mind that any route, no matter how simple it may seem, requires essential equipment:
- A light backpack, with the essentials. Always avoid carrying too much weight!
- Trekking boots or shoes with soles that grip the terrain well.
- Layered clothing: waterproof jacket, windbreaker and always breathable clothing!
- Sunglasses: always protect your eyes, even in winter!
- Cap: protect your head and face and always wear sunscreen, even if it's cloudy!
- Take a printed map and compass, and if you prefer, download the track of the route to your mobile phone or activate the GPS.
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Security
Your safety and that of your companions is crucial!
- Find out about the terrain to be covered and its conditions: whether it has exposed passes, complicated sections depending on the time of year, the current state of the route, and something very important: don't start walking without checking the weather!
- If you can avoid it, don't go alone! And if you do, let them know the route you are going to take so that they can find you.
- Respect and follow the signs
- Carry your mobile phone charged and be geolocated, and if you can, take an external battery with you.
- Keep the emergency number handy at all times
- Set a steady pace to avoid exhaustion.
- Carry a torch or headlamp, in case night falls or fog rolls in.
- If you find a spring, fountain or other water source, make sure it is safe to drink!
- Avoid getting wet or bathing in a river, waterfall, etc. if you don't know the currents and conditions, and avoid digestion problems!
- If you bathe, take dry clothes to change into - chills in the mountains are fatal to your health!
- In the event of a storm, seek shelter and never go under a tree!
- Always carry a small first aid kit
- If you know first aid, great!
- Pay attention to insectbites or small reptiles, and if in doubt about the severity, call the emergency services!
- Protect yourself from ticks
Feeding
Watch your diet and hydrate!
- Drink water from time to time, and if you run out of water, take a filter to refill at fountains or streams.
- Take energy foods: nuts, bars, fruit and a light snack, and always something sweet, to help you if you have a low blood sugar.
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Respect nature!
Nature is our home, and as such we must take care of it and respect it.
- Pick up the rubbish you generate
- Respect the flora and fauna
- Do not harass or stress the animals with your presence or your eagerness to get the best photo/video of them.
- Try not to leave the marked trails, so as not to cause erosion or damage to the environment.
And always remember that your best route is the one that leaves the smallest footprint on nature!