From Sofa to Summit: A Beginner's Guide to Hiking
How to get into hiking when you literally have no idea where to start
So you’ve seen some epic hiking routes on TikTok or the (oh too relatable) hiking memes spruiking how good type II fun is and now you want to experience this magic yourself? I totally get it because at the tender age of my early thirties, I was also that person. Fast forward 4 years and it’s not only my biggest passion but also a huge part of my business and it alarmingly seems the obsession is firmly going absolutely nowhere, unfortunately for my bank account…
Let’s head back to 2019 though and that growing interest in the often gate keeper-y world of hiking led to me having an overabundance of questions. Ultimately trying to answer one main conundrum… ‘how do I start’?
Now, I’m going to spare you the sales pitch on why the mountains are the best place because let’s face it, if you weren’t interested, you wouldn’t have made it this far and instead dive straight into some basic tips for getting started on your soon to be new obsession.
1. Getting lost in the mountains (figuratively NOT literally)
If you are brand new to hiking knowing where to go is usually the biggest concern, but never fear there are sooo many resources and tools to get you building that confidence being outdoors, with your capabilities and navigation.
Initially you can check out well signposted and popular routes which you can find in guide books, online (although always be mindful of the source of information) and of course hiking apps such as those listed below.
Some great apps to start with are AllTrails, OS Maps or GaiaGPS. They are easy to use and allow you to track your activities to review later as well as full of information on the trails for you to prepare. Take a look at your route before setting off and enjoy practicing your map reading skills during the walk. Some things to be mindful of while searching for a routes are trail descriptions, difficulty ratings, distance and elevation profiles and recent reviews of the route. If you’re looking for some inspo you can check out my AllTrails here.
If you’re starting out on popular trails, you are most likely going to find the navigation quite simple and you can slowly increase the distance and duration of your walks as you gain confidence and stamina.
While apps are great, technology has it’s limitations (ahem… taking too many photos of your epic hike and draining the battery 👀) so map reading is an important skill and what we are talking about here is an ‘old fashioned’ map and compass. So invest a bit of time to learning your basic navigation skills and over time build up those skills through experience.
2. Dress to impress… yourself with comfort and practicality
What to wear outdoors seems like a more overwhelming decision than being invited to the Met Gala an hour before it starts but it doesn’t have to be too stressful.
The key concepts when dressing for the outdoors, especially as a beginner, are as follows:
Layering is king
You should invest in a few key items, everything else isn’t that important
Always be prepared
You’ll very quickly realise that hiking really is just a constant cycle of walking, removing a layer, walking and putting on a layer repetitively but there is a purpose to the experience of feeling like you’re the present in pass the parcel. Each layer has a function and you’ll quickly learn what your preferences are and how to manage them best while out hiking.
The TLDR guide is:
Base layer - sweat wicking (merino is a great option)
Mid layer - insulating layer (think fleeces, thin down/synthetic jackets)
Outer shell - Waterproof/windproof layer to keep you protected from the elements
Initially you don’t need to spend loads on your gear but over time you can invest in building out your kit (I warn you now, you will become addicted and your bank account will hate you). That being said, some things worth investing in initially is some good footwear, a waterproof jacket and a comfortable backpack. Sturdy waterproof boots with good grip are always a good idea. I love my Scarpa Terra GTX boots and my backpacks are all Osprey
3. What to take
In my opinion one of the best parts of hiking is sitting on top of a mountain having some summit scran and a thermos of coffee so I’m naturally going to start out with snacks. Honestly, it doesn’t particularly matter what food you take, especially when you’re starting out but a good sammie, a nice little treat and a drink will make for an elite mountain meal. Of course what’s even more important than the snacks is taking water so don’t forget to prioritise that.
Now we have peaked with the talk of food of course we have to discuss the less exciting things that you’ll need to keep you safe and comfortable like your layers, a first aid kit, a battery pack, map and compass, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat even if you think you won’t need it. On that note…
4. Check the weather
It’s always a good idea to be prepared for all weather eventualities but getting into the habit of checking the forecast for the area you’re hiking in is vital. In the UK the MetOffice website, Mountain Forecast and Windy give you all the information you need.
Regardless of the weather forecast it is always best to be prepared incase the weather changes unexpectedly. Part of the excitement of the outdoors is the feeling of being insignificant and exposed to the elements but the part of that which makes it enjoyable is having the right gear despite what’s thrown at you.
5. Stay safe out there
When I started hiking, I asked around friends to see if anyone hiked so I could build my confidence before going hiking solo. You may be surprised how many people you know are actually secret mountain dwellers but if you can’t find anyone don’t stress there are plenty more options.
There are always group hikes you can take part in (like the ones I run 🙋🏻♀️) and hiking communities you can join (like the one I’m launching soon). The great thing about group hikes is that you get to connect with so many likeminded people and make friends. Trust me, feeling a bit nervous is normal at first but the outdoor community are really friendly so pick yourself up by your bootstraps (see what I did there) and get stuck in!
If you have the ability to there is sooo much benefit in hiring a local qualified guide or mountain leader (like me in the future 🙋🏻♀️). You will learn insane amounts from the people who live and breathe the outdoors and also gain some awesome local knowledge not to mention some of the best tips and tricks I have learnt over the years have been from guides.
Finally, if you’re going alone make sure you tell someone where you are going, your planned route, estimated finish time and take with you all the safety gear you need just incase you (or someone else) need it.
There are pieces of equipment that you can invest in over time such as a Garmin inReach and I love my Garmin Fenix 7X but I by no means had these in the beginning as they are big investments. Nowadays we all have a phone which have SOS modes as well as the ability to call emergency services without signal (on that note learn how to call mountain rescue by calling 999, asking for the police and then for mountain rescue) but of course there is always a chance these will fail.
Another handy tool on an iPhone is to share your location with a trusted person. You can do this on iPhones and get apps that do this too! What I secretly love about this is the never ending screenshots my Mum sends me of my phone pinned in the most random mountain ranges all over the world once I (sadly) rejoin the real world upon returning to civilisation.
Finally, try not to hike with headphones so you can be aware of your surroundings and enjoy the beauty and peace of the outdoors and ultimately avoid getting squished by a falling tree (that would be quite the unlikely and unfortunate end).
6. Remember to explore and have fun
Of course one HUGE thing to remember is have fun! There is so much to enjoy, the opportunity to explore, discover, challenge yourself and embrace everything the outdoors has to offer. I promise you, you will NOT regret it! Take all the photos, appreciate all the big beautiful rocks, paddle in the streams, embrace the snotty noses and frosty fingertips and make the most epic memories!
It fills me with such happiness, excitement and a sprinkle of positive nervousness to be able to start helping others find a passion they love and to bring people together to create friendships and memories that will last a lifetime. I know that travelling and finding my passion changed my life and I hope it will also change yours! My new hiking membership community Made Wild Adventures launches in March ‘24!
The key goal with creating Made Wild is build community and connection as well as getting women outdoors, inspired and achieving things they never thought possible regardless of their background. In the meantime I’ll pop below some of the group hikes that I already have running this year in case you’re looking for your next adventure!
Group Hiking Trips 2024
Scotland Women’s Winter Skills Hiking Course - Mar ‘24 🏴
Cairngorms, Scottish Highlands
Join me for two days in the stunning Cairngorm Mountains in Scotland for a women's only course to learn all the hiking skills you need to thrive on winter hikes.
Not only will we be learning new skills from an expert mountaineering company and experiencing the beauty of Scotland but we will also be making memories and staying together for the weekend so after some long mountain days can enjoy getting to know each other and having fun making more memories!
Day 1
Learn from expert instructors from Nomad Mountaineering how to plan a winter journey, what to pack, footwork with & without crampons, self arrests with an ice axe, using emergency shelters and basic rope work.
Day 2
Use the skills learnt on day one to lead a winter hike with mountaineering instructors on hand to help if needed!
Location: Cairngorms, Scotland
Date: 8th-10th March 2024
Price: £435pp (paid in 4 instalments)
Includes:
2 Nights accommodation
Helmet
Winter boots
Ice axe
Harness
An awesome weekend with a small group of like minded women
I am SO excited to get into the mountains with you and spend an incredible weekend together learning new skills and making memories.
There are only a few spaces remaining on this trip already, you can book your spot here.
Skye Cuillin Traverse May ‘24 🏴
The Cuillins, Isle of Skye
The Cuillin Ridge is the most alpine-esque mountain range in the UK. The ridge itself is 12km in length and over 4000m in ascent and descent is involved. Join me and instructors from Nomad Mountaineering on this women's only two day Cuillin traverse sleeping under the stars to really challenge yourself this year.
Day 1
Ascend the ridge and setup for a night time bivvi.
Day 2
Begin the traverse, maximising daylight hours. Set up a second bivvi for the night.
Day 3
Complete the ridge traverse and descend finishing the day for a celebratory drink at the Sligachan Hotel together.
Location: Isle of Skye, Scotland
Date: 31st May - 02nd Jun ‘24
Price: £845pp (paid in installments)
Book your spot here.
Canada Group Trip - Sept ‘24 🇨🇦
Banff & Jasper Group Hiking & Camping
If the idea of exploring the Canadian wilderness while making new friends and making some awesome memories hiking and camping sounds good to you then this could be the trip for you!
Join me for a seven day adventure hiking the trails in Banff and Jasper National parks trekking on glaciers, rafting in rivers and cooking dinner around a campfire.
Location: Canada
Date: 3rd-9th Sept 2024
Price: USD$2599
Includes:
7 Days camping & hiking with local guides
Airport transfers from Calgary Airport
Activities including hiking the Iceline Trail, Athabasca Glacier Ice Walk, Athabasca River Rafting, Maligne Canyon Hike & Sulphur Mountain Cable Car
AMAZING memories and friendships that will last a lifetime!
To check out all the details click here.
See you in the mountains ❤️!
Thank you Lucy! Really great timing 😅 My team at work is planning to hike the Yorkshire 3 Peaks in April and I’ve been trying to figure out where to start..!