Start hiking the easy way: route, equipment, pace, preparation... Here's everything you need to know for a great first trip out!
From forest paths to long-distance hiking trails, including mountain sections: hiking is a dream! You've never tried it, but want to get started? Good idea ! So, how do you go about starting hiking? Choosing your route, finding the right gear, preparing your trip out, knowing your way around, finding your rhythm, avoiding common mistakes and enjoying the moment: here are our 7 top tips for heading out with real peace of mind!
Before setting off, we recommend you spend a little time choosing your route, which means the journey you’ll make while out walking. Your choice will impact the level of difficulty and duration of your first adventure. You have two options: go for a loop route (from point A back to the same point A) or a linear hike (from point A to point B).
⚠️ Beware: if you take the linear option, check you can find your starting point again to get back home.
Do you rarely do sports or tend to do low-intensity sports activities? We recommend you start gently. Hiking uses the whole body, in terms of both muscles and the cardiovascular system. We recommend you choose a route of 7 to 10 km to start and enjoy your first outing. Are you used to regular fairly intense sports activity? Feel free to opt for a first outing of 10 to 15 km.
Lots of maps and apps offer varied hiking routes. You’ve no idea what you want to do? You could start with a route with a point of interest, so you have an objective to keep you motivated: a lake, waterfall, viewpoint or restaurant (we know we all like our food 😅), etc. Here are a few routes in France suitable for a first hike!
- Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, from La Clusaz: 📍Sommet Sous-l'Aiguille; 1h45 ; 4.3 km; 192 m of height gain.
- Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, from Chablis: 📍 Vines and canal; 3h30 ; 9.5 km ; 239 m of height gain.
- Brittany region, from Le Theil-de-Bretagne: 📍 Magic of the Roche aux Fées; 3h30 ; 11.2 km ; 103 m of height gain.
-Hauts-de-France region, from Sangatte: 📍 Cap Blanc Nez and Côte d'Opale; 2h20 ; 6.9 km ; 139 m of height gain.
- Occitanie region, from Vers-Pont-du-Gard: 📍 Pont du Gard and walk in the scrubland; 3 hr ; 9.7 km ; 102 m of height gain.
Now that you've chosen your route, let's get to the equipment! You weren't planning on going in jeans, were you? 👀 Hiking is like any other sport: to get the most out of it, you need to have equipment that's suitable for what you’re doing. And to help you, here's a short list of essentials to bring with you!
🙃 Our special beginner's tips: getting kitted out for hiking means a small initial investment that will serve you well in the long term. But there's no need to go for the most technical (and most expensive) equipment when you're starting out! First- or mid-range products are more than enough to get started and are well suited for your needs.
You may not necessarily think about it when you start hiking, but the weather really is an issue you need to consider. The sky can change quickly during the day, especially in the mountains and by the sea. Sometimes you leave under bright sun, only to find yourself in the rain a few minutes later. Unless there’s a storm or heatwave, we’re not telling you to cancel your outing if the conditions aren’t ideal. However, it’s essential to set off well equipped to be prepared for any eventuality. Slip a rain jacket into your bag, along with a headlamp, especially if the days are short when you’re out hiking. And for your bag, we recommend you bring a rain cover to keep it dry no matter what happens, and your belongings as well!
Whether your trip out lasts 1 hr 30 or 10 hr, your Hiking Starter Pack must include something to eat and keep you hydrated. When out hiking, you expend lots of energy. Your body needs a regular boost to last the distance. We recommend you drink often to prevent dehydration due to all the effort. To do this, take at least one large bottle filled with water, depending on the length of your excursion. Another golden rule: don’t drink water from a natural source (lake, river, spring), unless you’re perfectly sure it’s drinkable. Or, bring an additional filter water bottle. You’ll avoid any risk of animal contamination or stomach problems. 😅 For food, depending on the length of your hike, plan either a full meal or snacks to give you a little energy when the need arises.
Although hiking seems to have fewer rules than many sports, it does still have some! Rule n°1: stay on the trails in consideration of the fauna and flora around you, and look after the terrain you’re walking on. Rule n°2: take home the waste you brought with you (unless you find a rubbish bin along the way), to protect the environment. As for the rest, we’ll explain everything in our special article.
Before starting your hike, you need to be able to find your way and where you are! Rest assured, we’re not asking you to become an expert in using a compass. On the contrary, it’s better to understand the trail markings, so you can easily find your way and avoid unexpected detours. As you may know, there are two types of hiking trails in France: Petites Randonnées (PR - small) and Grandes Randonnées (GR - long). PRs are indicated by yellow markings. GRs, on the other hand, have red and white or red and yellow markings. These markings are generally indicated all along the route, on signs or natural surfaces (tree trunks, stones, etc.). But you could still take a wrong turn! So, to make sure you're on the right path, we recommend you take a guide with your route and an IGN map. You also have the smartphone option, of course, but beware of battery problems and lack of network, depending on where you are!
Your walking pace depends on your physical fitness, the weather conditions, your chosen route and the type of terrain. Walking on the plains or country paths is not the same as in the mountains. Moving through this type of environment involves specific techniques to understand for an enjoyable experience. We’ll explain everything!
The mountains provide a very special wild environment, which can quickly turn a hike into a chore if you don't prepare properly. First, it can put your cardio to the test if you're not used to it. On the one hand because of the height gain, and on the other because of the altitude. The higher you are, the less oxygen is available in the air, leading to quicker fatigue and unusual shortness of breath. On the other hand, weather-wise, the mountain air can be cool, maybe cold, even in the middle of summer. The weather changes quickly, so we recommend you always take a fleece and rain jacket with you. Also, watch out for the sun, which is more severe at altitude, even if it’s hidden behind the clouds. And in winter? That's another story!
So, we’re here to save you time! Here are three classic mistakes when you start hiking (and we know what we are talking about 🫣).
1. Getting the weight and adjustment of your backpack wrong: when you don't know what to expect, you tend to load your bag well to make sure you’ve got everything. "Better too much than not enough". Yes, but remember, you’ll be carrying it for miles, in addition to your own weight. So, a piece of advice to avoid suffering with your bag on your first hike: get rid of everything you don’t need. And to adjust it properly and avoid discomfort and skin burns, here’s what you need to know !
2. Wearing your hiking boots for the first time: a classic mistake when you’ve just got your new hiking gear. While it's not a problem with clothes, boots are another matter. To avoid burns and blisters after just a few minutes, wear them several times at home first. And don't forget, despite everything, to bring a few bandages!
3. Being too ambitious: for your first hike, be careful. See if all goes well on a small climb and short distance before moving on to the next level. And above all, during your trip, listen to your body and the signs it sends you.
This is perhaps the most important piece of advice: don't worry too much, hiking is still a leisure activity that should do you good. So, admire the scenery on offer, enjoy your walk and appreciate the joys of hiking out in the heart of nature. You’ll see: walking the trails helps you feel alive! And you’ll quickly want to do it again. 😉
In both cases, you use your feet to make progress. The difference lies elsewhere: hiking is more athletic than simply walking. It uses more bodily energy and the trails on which you hike are often more uneven. Walking is done on flat surfaces and generally used to "get around", from home to the bakery, for example. The purpose and duration aren’t the same.
There’s no magic formula: prepare yourself, find out a few things and get started! We refer you to this whole article to review the 7 tips that will help you get started in hiking with real peace of mind.
Ready to experience the joys of hiking? For a great adventure, remember that several considerations need to be taken into account: the route, equipment, preparation, finding your way and the pace of your hike. Beware of the three classic mistakes and, above all, enjoy the moment. You can also find a guide to get started. Beware - new (healthy) addiction likely! 😁
