While many of us see a holiday as the perfect time to relax, unwind, and chill out by the pool or on a beach, for others this simply is not enough. They need adventure, thrills, and are only happy in the knowledge that they are experiencing something new and exciting.
If you’re looking for action-packed adventure holiday, you’d be hard pushed to find something more perfect than a hiking trip. Taking a trek into the mountains can be an exhilarating experience where you can combine the great outdoors with exercise and fresh air. However, hiking trips can be dangerous, there a number of things you need to do to guarantee your safety. Read on to find out more.
Make Sure You Get Travel Insurance
Trekking through mountain routes, while undeniably breathtaking, comes with numerous risks and dangers. Terrain can be treacherous, the weather can be unpredictable, and some locations can even have dangerous wild animals that can injure you, or worse.
It’s absolutely crucial that you get travel insurance ahead of your trip. This will cover medical expenses that you could incur should you have an accident on your hike. If you happen to have a pre-existing medical condition, you may need specialist travel insurance. Even things like specialized equipment may not be covered by certain policies, so make sure you are getting the right insurance package for you and your trip.
Plan Your Route
Hiking trails can be long and confusing. Many of them intersect, branch off, and snake around each other. Wandering blindly into the mountains is a recipe for disaster, you could easily get lost which can have serious consequences in some of the more remote areas.
The best way to avoid this is to plan your route extensively and in detail. Once you have picked your trail of choice, study it intently beforehand, noting each particular section, how long it is likely to take, and what you might expect to see on the route.
Think About The Weather
The weather in the mountains can be notoriously volatile and unpredictable. You’ll need to have contingency plans in place should the conditions take a turn for the worse, and you should have a clear idea of what to do should you be faced with a sudden drop in temperature, heavy rain, snow, or reduced visibility.
What time of year you choose to go will have a major impact on the type of weather you can expect to see. Make sure you research the climate of your destination of choice and make plans for every possible eventuality.
Pack Accordingly
In comparison to a traditional holiday, a hiking trip will require you to bring a lot more additional equipment. The right type of clothing is vital, your clothes should be comfortable, breathable, and durable, and you should have a mix of warm and waterproof items.
Boots are essential. They should be sturdy, comfortable, and waterproof. You don’t want to be trekking in the mountains with wet feet.
You’ll need to bring emergency equipment as well. A first aid kit can be invaluable should you pick up any cuts or scrapes, while a whistle or even a flare can save your life should you take a wrong turn and end up lost in the mountains.
Conclusion
A hiking holiday can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. While you will get the chance to soak in the majesty of nature, hiking is fantastic exercise and can offer us numerous physical and mental benefits. To ensure you stay safe on your hiking trip, get travel insurance ahead of time, plan your trip in detail, and pack everything you’re going to need.