Hiking Tips for Beginners
The team at Kandoo firmly believe that the best way to know a place is to explore it on foot. Walking encourages you to interact with a destination in a way that driving through it does not. With a little preparation and the right shoes, you can enjoy trekking all over the world. The ability to journey deep into the nooks and crannies of a national park or unexpectedly get up close and personal with native wildlife are just some of the joys of hiking that are often underestimated.
Kandoo Adventures are adventure experts and most of our trips include some sort of group trekking. Whether a single day hike or a multi-day expedition, walking through natural landscapes, scaling soaring peaks and staying amongst local people offers an authentic experience that isn’t the same as jumping on and off a bus or hiring a car.
And the best part of trekking holidays is that you don’t have to be an experienced hiker to enjoy some of the most iconic destinations in the world! So, what are you waiting for?! Read on to find out how you can begin your hiking journey and why you absolutely should.
Benefits of hiking
If you haven’t walked much before or have generally stuck to short rambles, then let us avail you of the numerous health benefits of walking. Not only does hiking provide physical health benefits, but it is also great for mental health, easy on the wallet and accessible to all.
Great for beginners
Walking can be enjoyed by most people. Even individuals with reduced mobility can get outside with the help of specialised equipment. Hiking differs from walking in that it infers a longer or more intense experience but getting out and putting one foot in front of the other is the first step for beginners.
Physical benefits of hiking
Scientific studies confirm that the physical benefits of hiking are many. Improved cardiovascular health, stronger bones and muscles, vitamin D absorption, improved balance and longer life expectancy are just some examples of how regular walking can benefit us. These benefits can be found from walking for just 30 minutes a day, so imagine how great your body will feel after hiking all day, or even over consecutive days!
Mental health benefits of hiking
Nature and mental health are intrinsically linked. The benefits of being outdoors are extolled by mental health professionals all over the world. Fresh air and being outside improves mood, helps you sleep better, reduces stress and anxiety and boosts your energy levels.
Shared experiences
Another benefit of hiking is the opportunity to share the
experience with others. Whether you're socialising along the way or hiking with
a group, it cultivates camaraderie, encourages natural connection, and can
boost confidence and self-esteem.
Discover new places
If these other benefits weren’t enough to persuade you to go find some walking shoes, then the knowledge that you can roam in more places on foot might. Whether in your own country or other countries, heading off for a walk through the fields, along city streets, up into the surrounding foothills or through remote countryside offers glimpses into local life that would be overlooked otherwise.
Better for the planet
Walking somewhere, especially if you’re trying to get from one place to another, is the most sustainable way to travel. Leaving vehicles behind and exploring under your own steam is the most immersive experience you can have with nature.
How to prepare for a hike
If you’re still reading, great, you’re probably wondering what the first steps are for getting out into the great unknown.
1. Choose your footwear
The only real piece of gear you need to start walking is a good pair of walking boots or shoes. They’re an investment, but if you choose well, they should last you for years. Your first forays out can be in comfortable trainers if you’re not going too far and if your conditions are likely to be flat and mild. However, for walking up hills, over vegetation and across loose and variable terrain, we recommend walking boots with ankle support.
To bed these in, wear them around the house, to the shops and on short walks before attempting something longer. There is nothing worse than getting blisters on a long trek. Read more about how to prevent blisters and other trekking ailments in our blog.
2. Wear the right clothes
Dress for your day – this is a rule for life If you’re opting for a couple of hours' walk from home in dry weather, comfortable shoes, walking trousers, a base layer, and a soft shell jacket should be enough. If you’re driving somewhere to begin hiking or the weather forecast looks changeable, consider wearing plenty of layers to allow for variable conditions. Pack a bag with a change of clothes in case you get wet, but ideally, wear a waterproof, windproof outer shell to protect yourself from the elements.
Start walking!
The best way to prepare for a longer hike is to just start walking. Pick somewhere local where you could walk for an hour and work your way up to 2 or 3 hours walking before heading out on a longer hike. Starting slowly will help prepare your body for longer periods of walking, build fitness, and train your legs.
3. Route options
Once you’re happy with your walking footwear and trekking clothes and you feel fit enough to get out on your first trail, you can consider more advanced route options. There is a wealth of information online about local walks, wherever you are. Ask friends for recommendations or follow walking groups on social media that can suggest which walks are best for beginners and how to access them.
Your first beginner hike should not be an overnight expedition as this will require more kit so look for a half day or full day trekking route near you. Hiking in the mountains is different to hiking on flatter terrain, so consider your fitness level, age and general health before picking a starting route. Find a trail that will be at least a few miles but no more than 10 miles. You don’t want to aim for something too challenging for your first foray.
Remember to print off a map or download one to your phone so you don’t get lost. Study it and use map software to help you understand the terrain, length and access points. Opt for a walking trail that is likely to be signposted if you aren’t super confident reading maps or take a buddy. ⬇️
4. Buddies
If you are a less confident beginner hiker, then enlist a friend or sign up to a walking group outing for your first hike. This way you will have the support and knowledge of others to guide you as you find your feet.
5. Kit
Aside from some decent footwear for walking and hiking clothing, you’ll likely need a daypack with plenty of water, snacks, sunscreen, sunglasses, a power bank in case you need to charge your phone, your phone, a map and a compass. Take some time to learn how to use a compass and read a map before you set out. This way, if you get lost you stand a good chance of being able to identify the right direction from visible landmarks and find your way back to safety.
What to take on a hike
The items on the following list should be all you’ll need to take on a hike that doesn’t last longer than a day. Packing some of the items below will depend on where you’re heading, for example, you might not need sunscreen on wet weather days. For overnight expeditions, camping trips and multi-day hikes, check out our packing lists.
- Daypack
- Refillable water bottle
- Snacks
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Waterproof outer shell
- Map and compass
- Power bank to charge your phone
- Warm hat or hat with a brim
- First aid kit
- Multi-tool or penknife
- Extra clothing layers – weather dependent
- Headtorch and whistle for emergencies
- Hand sanitiser
- Toilet paper and poo bags or nappy bags to remove solid waste
- Insect repellent
Choosing the right trek
Your first proper hike should be somewhere you’re already familiar with or somewhere close to home. You don’t have to find mountains to work up a sweat, so your local national park, nature reserve or lake might be a good option for a long-ish walking route.
Research route options carefully. You could use guidebooks, search online, or use an OS map to pick a route that is an achievable length across terrain you feel comfortable crossing. We suggest you don’t attempt any summits for your first walk and avoid higher altitudes initially. This initial trek is to help you find your walking mojo so it should be enjoyable and only slightly challenging.
Safety measures
Staying safe whilst outdoors is important. Always take your phone out with you and turn on your location settings in case of emergencies. Tell at least one person where you’re heading, if you’re walking alone, and let them know what time you expect to be back. A solar charger or power bank will help keep your phone charged should you need to contact someone for help. You could also think about taking a headtorch in case you stay out longer than planned.
It is vital that you stay hydrated whilst you’re walking, so take plenty of water and some snacks out with you. Enjoy a hearty breakfast before your trek to give you lots of energy too.
Generally, when you’re out hiking people are friendly and it is polite to greet others you meet out and about. This goes for most places around the world. Hiking etiquette also includes taking all waste home with you, respecting the natural landscape you’re visiting and leaving the wildlife alone.
Group treks
The beauty of trekking is that it can be enjoyed solo or with others. For independent travellers, exploring new places on foot might be preferable to travelling with a group. If that’s you, you may be more comfortable finding your own guides, routes, transport and provisions.
For those who are travelling alone, are new to hiking or want to connect with like-minded people joining a group hiking trip is a wonderful way to ease some of the pressures of hiking alone.
Group treks will have a lead guide who monitors the pace, determines the best route and sources provisions on the way. This takes away many of the logistical elements of trekking in unfamiliar places, making it easy to enjoy exploring. The safety net of walking with a group gives peace of mind, especially in foreign countries.
Top hiking tips for beginners
1. Wear in your new walking boots before heading out on a long hike! You’ll thank us for this.
2. Stay hydrated by taking at least 2 litres of water for your hike, more for longer or more challenging treks. A water bladder is a useful tool that fits inside your pack and lets you drink without stopping.
3. High energy snacks are easy to eat while walking and take up little room in your bag, pack a variety to keep energy levels up.
4. As they say on Kilimanjaro, ‘mole, mole’. Slowly, slowly. You should be able to have a conversation easily while you walk. If you’re out of puff, take a break to get your breath back before continuing. Walk at a sustainable pace and don’t hit it too hard too soon, and struggle to complete your route. It happens.
5. Invest in a pee bottle. Your beginner hikes are more likely to be along trails and routes that have facilities. As you delve into more remote terrain, having a pee bottle in your pack will help maintain decency and make going to the toilet less inconvenient.
6. LEAVE NO TRACE – you should leave the places you visit exactly as you find them. Take all rubbish and waste home with you and protect our natural environments for others and future generations.
Trekking with Kandoo
As we said at the start, anyone can try hiking. All that’s needed is a little preparation, a positive mindset and a few essential items. Kandoo are the trekking experts, and we guide people of all ages and abilities through amazing landscapes on awesome adventures.
We rate all our trips with a difficulty rating from 1-5, with 5 including the most challenging treks. If you’re new to hiking, then look for a difficulty rating of 2 which will include some of our multi-activity trips that include kayaking, water sports and other activities in addition to trekking. If you feel that you have a good fitness level and are looking for more of a challenge, consider treks rated 3 as moderately challenging due to the nature of hiking over consecutive days. More preparation and training are needed for these trekking trips, but we offer plenty of training guides and support to help you prepare for your adventure. An example of a moderately challenging trek would be climbing to Everest Base Camp. This involves trekking over 8-10 consecutive days at high altitudes. No technical expertise is needed for this, but with the right level of fitness, planning, preparation and a can-do attitude, anyone can attempt this iconic trek.
Get in touch with the friendly team at Kandoo HQ to discuss your hiking options and we’ll find an adventure made just for you.