A Beginners Guide To Your First Hike

Are you a fan of the great outdoors? Have you ever been on a hike?

Hiking is a fun and free way to stay in shape, while also seeing the surrounding countryside. It is also, often, a way to support charities, with many offering to sponsor hikes, meaning that by walking that 10-mile stretch, you can raise money for your favourite charity.

Of course, if you have never been on a hike, the prospect can seem daunting, so, in this article, you will be walked through 5 key things to remember when you go on your first hike. Enjoy!

Go With A Group

Never, ever, EVER attempt your first hike by yourself!

Even if you have walked around the area a thousand times with your dog, a hike is something that is altogether different and surprisingly physically draining. So, you should aim to travel in at least a pack of around five people. Or, why not have your first hike as part of a fundraiser, with many hikes like the Wye Valley Mighty Hikes often attracting hundreds of people? At least that way, you can rest assured that there will be professionals to see you through!

Try To Do Minimal Climbing

There is a myth out there that when you go on a hike, you need to climb mountains or scale rock faces. This is, well, a myth, as that is something that no professional hiker will ever recommend to new hikers.

So, try to make sure that the route you take is level for the most part, and has lots of rest stops so that even if there are some slants or hills, you won’t feel like you are climbing Mt. Everest!

Look At The Weather

It is beyond an amateur move to not check the weather when you are going hiking. At best, it can lead to an inconvenience, and at worst, it can lead to an incident or medical issue.

No one is saying you should avoid a level hike if it is drizzling, but having an idea of what the weather will do will allow you to pack what you need to keep yourself, and other members of your hiking party, safe and hydrated.

Get The Right Equipment

Are you going to need rock climbing equipment for your gentle hike through the Yorkshire Dales? No.

Make sure that you research the area that you are going to be hiking in and check that you have all of the right equipment. That means, be sure you have the right footwear, and the right walking poles, and, of course, make sure you have the right clothing for the area. Oh, and be sure you pack a lot of bug spray if you are hiking in the summer!

Stick To The Route!

Yes, that path to the left may look interesting to explore, but if you are on your first hike in an unknown area, straying from the path is a surefire way to get lost. So, be sure you are familiar with the route you’re taking on a map and stick to it!

It is also worth carrying GPS signals to identify exactly where you are using a smartphone or other GPS tracker. This will also help in the worst-case scenario, which would be if you get lost. Take a traditional compass, a paper map of the area (in case your smartphone battery dies) and, as always, make sure that someone knows where you are going and which route you are taking. This will help searchers to find you quickly if you don’t arrive at your final destination.

Don’t Camp Out!

Experienced hikers will often hike for several days, camping in the woods in between. However, if you are new to hiking, you don’t want to do this! Try to start your hike early in the morning and, of course, try to ensure that you give yourself plenty of time to reach the end point.

It may not seem like a big deal to camp out on your first hike, but, as any hiker/camper will tell you, it is a completely different thing to go from hiking to camping. You will need to carry more equipment, more water, and, of course, potentially heavy items like a stove and a torch. This is all before looking at potential repellent sprays that you may need; if you are hiking through bear country, it is a very bad idea to camp out without bear repellent spray!

To ensure that you don’t get stuck out overnight, make sure that you have friends and family who know where you are, be sure to carry a mobile phone (with a full battery and back up battery just in case), and do not opt for hiking in a completely remote location. 

Bex Gawne

Since graduating from university with a degree in English Literature & Creative Writing, Bex has worked in the media and digital marketing industries for almost a decade. She specialises in writing health and lifestyle content and is passionate about making a difference. Outside of this, Bex has a keen interest in history, so you can often find her with a cup of tea, curled up with a historical novel, with her ragdoll cat by her side.