Need some hiking safety tips before heading on the hill? You’ve come to the right place.
In SHORT…
Why get the right outdoor gear? Learn how hiking boots, technical socks, quality baselayers, and a well-fitted backpack protect you and enhance your trail experience.
How to plan smart and stay connected: From telling someone your route to choosing reliable navigation—maps, GPS, or your phone—this guide shows you how to stay linked and prepared.
When weather and limits come into play: Understand why checking forecasts, knowing your pace, prepping for emergencies—and even carrying a whistle or satellite communicator—can be a game-changer.
The UK is blessed with an abundance of beautiful trails and hikes, all of which have something different to offer. Whether you’re a newbie explorer or a seasoned adventurer, there’s something to suit everyone.
However, no matter your experience level, it’s imperative to consider your safety when exploring these routes, as the outdoors can be unpredictable. Whilst a sense of adventure is what makes exploring so fun, it’s also one of the things that can potentially put us in the most danger.
In this blog, we’ll offer some of our best tips for staying safe while exploring nature, helping you feel more confident when navigating unfamiliar terrain without spoiling all the fun.
Hiking in jeans, polyester socks, and trainers can easily ruin your entire adventure. In fact, it will ruin it. There’s no question.
Investing in the right gear and clothing will make exploring much more enjoyable, simply because you will feel more comfortable. We’re not asking you to splash out hundreds of pounds on the latest pieces of kit, but simple, affordable items like hiking boots/shoes, socks, and a good baselayer are great starting points. If you choose well, these products will last you for years, if not decades, anyway.
What are the benefits of outdoor clothing?
Outdoor clothing will stretch more, provide better protection, regulate temperature and wick away sweat so that you’re not left feeling clammy all day long. It also helps to reduce the risk of rubbing and chafing on the skin and will last much longer than cheap high-street clothing.
Technical outdoor socks are more durable than regular socks and can also wick moisture away to help reduce the risk of blisters.
What are the benefits of hiking boots?
Hiking shoes and boots are far more durable than regular footwear and provide great underfoot support for walking on solid or uneven terrain.
Why you should invest in a good outdoor backpack
Outdoor backpacks are ergonomically designed to ensure maximum comfort and support. You can purchase different sizes for different types of adventures. The best size for a hiking backpack/day pack would be between 15 and 25 litres, as this will give you plenty of space for spare layers, food, water, and accessories such as maps and guidebooks, compasses, gloves, hats, sunglasses, and sun cream if the forecast is looking hot.
2. Tell someone when and where you’re going
Someone else should know your whereabouts in case of worst-case scenarios, especially if you’re going solo. Tell a friend or family member where you plan on going and when. Give them an approximate time you’ll be home so they can recognise if you’re excessively late and potentially in trouble. Even if you’re going with a group of people, it’s still a good idea to make someone outside of the group aware of your plans in case anything happens or you get lost as a pack.
You can also invest in locator devices if you’re planning on making hiking a more regular activity. Brands such as Garmin and Zoleo have a range of GPS equipment for all budgets that is compact and easy-to-use, take a look at our current collection of GPS accessories by clicking here.
3. Check the weather
It’s incredibly important that you prepare for the conditions you’ll face during your adventure. The weather can change very quickly, especially at higher altitudes or in mountainous terrain.
Which forecasts should you check before a hike?
Check the forecast for the local area and check the mountain forecast closest to your route to get a better idea of the weather and temperatures. If it looks particularly rough or extreme, maybe consider saving your plans for a better day.
How to pack for a hike, according to the weather
When you do choose to head out, use some common sense. If it’s hot, pack enough water and sun cream and wear lightweight, breathable, protective clothing. If it’s cold and wet, an insulated jacket, a waterproof jacket, reliable footwear, gloves, and plenty of food is essential.
4. Know your limits
It’s easy to get too excited and go overboard when planning your next outdoor adventure. However, it’s essential to know your limits so that you don’t exhaust yourself and find yourself stuck far away from your car or campsite.
How far should you hike as a beginner?
Recognising how far you can go without getting into danger is wise. If you’re a beginner hiker, perhaps set a limit of five miles to start with. As you build your experience and fitness, you can gradually extend these routes to a higher mileage.
5. Do your research
Research your route and plan accordingly. It’s worth noting what type of terrain you’ll be navigating, where the nearest towns are, how much incline you’ll be tackling, and what kind of wildlife or farm animals you may encounter. It would also be worth reading up on how to deal with such encounters, such as what to do when chased by a cow. It sounds funny, I know, but it happens often in the UK and can be a pretty intimidating or even dangerous situation to get into!
Know what to do in an emergency
Do you know how to call for help in an emergency when you’re outdoors? If not, this is an incredibly important thing to learn before heading out onto the hill.
How to signal for help with a whistle when hiking
One of the easiest options is to invest in a whistle or check to see if your backpack has a built-in whistle, which many of them now do. To perform an SOS signal with a whistle, do three short blasts, followed by three long blasts, followed by another three short blasts. The Alpine way to signal for help is six strong, quick blasts repeated every minute.
How to signal for help with a torch outdoors
You can also use a torch to signal for help if it’s dark or if visibility is poor. Use the SOS signal pattern with your flashlight as you would a whistle – three short flashes, followed by three long flashes, followed by three more short flashes.
How to call Mountain Rescue in the UK
If you have a mobile phone to hand, you can call Mountain Rescue by dialling 999 or 112 and asking for ‘Police’ and then ‘Mountain Rescue’.
6. Don’t just rely on your phone
Phones are great. They provide us with virtually all the information we need to get out into nature and navigate a route. However, they’re not always 100% reliable. Your phone might die, lose signal, break, or you might even lose it out on the trails. What then?
Why should you take a paper map on a hike?
Taking a paper map with you is a reliable backup option for navigating your route and returning safely. Furthermore, knowing how to read a map is a valuable skill. Nowadays, there are many online tutorials available for free, making learning super accessible.
Emergency essentials for hiking
I’d also recommend taking a torch with spare batteries, even if you plan on only being out for a few hours. You can purchase small, lightweight torches that weigh next to nothing and take up minimal space in your pack. They’re also incredibly affordable, so there’s no excuse not to have one.
Alternatively, you can invest in a high-quality headtorch if you’re planning on hiking more regularly. We have a great selection in our current range for an affordable price, which you can browse here.
Hiking Safety Tips for UK Hikers
These hiking safety tips may make adventuring outdoors sound a little intimidating, but don’t let it put you off. Venturing into nature is one of life’s greatest pleasures, and you’ll make memories that last a lifetime!
If you enjoyed this blog, why not read our previous post on ‘How To Clean Your Sleeping Bag’ by clicking here?
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