Hiking for Beginners - what You Need To Know

We often find ourselves dishing out pretty particular advice to seasoned hikers, so we were starting to feel a little sorry for the beginners. We know that taking up any sport, and particularly one as varied and demanding as hiking can seem fairly daunting, so here's our brief guide to hiking for beginners.

Before you embark on your first hike, it's vital to have the right equipment. Experienced hikers often claim that (accident or injury aside) nothing can ruin a hike like a bad pair of boots. The boots are there to support your feet and ankles during the hike, allowing you to get good traction on rocks and uneven ground without compromising on comfort. Our Light Hiking boot, the Altitude IVWP, is perfect for getting started: it has a fully gusseted tongue which means it'll keep gravel and other debris out and it boasts a waterproof leather upper. Even better it combines comfort from the soft leather colour and contoured lining with durability from the carbon rubber outsole.

Once you've got the right boots, make sure the rest of your clothing is up to the challenge. Even hiking for beginners calls for a little specialist equipment. Be sure you dress appropriately for the weather, but take into account the potential for sudden changes later on and always be prepared for the worst. We'd recommend a good few layers, which can easily be removed should you get hot and a waterproof outer layer.

Kit yourself out with a good backpack which is comfortable to carry and big enough to hold the essentials. Pack more water and snacks than you think you'll need in case you find yourself in an emergency, take a first aid kit and a map, torch and compass. You might think hiking for beginners wouldn't warrant so much kit, but it's all too easy to stray from paths and quickly find yourself lost.

Once you've got the kit sorted you just need to learn a few basic safety rules. In all honesty they're common sense but they warrant a mention. Don't ever hike alone; take someone with you, preferably a whole group of people, or join a hike lead by an experienced hiker. Take your mobile phone with you and make sure somebody at home knows where you're going and what time you expect to be back. Start short and easy and build yourself up to more adventurous hikes over time.

You can find more useful hiking for beginners advice here