Hiking is only for old people. Not at all! Planning a hiking tour over hill and dale is suitable for everyone. But especially hiking is suitable for beginners. We show you what you need to watch out for.
Again and again I had to listen to that: Hiking is boring, hiking is not a sport and only old people go hiking. Absolute nonsense.
Because when you hike, you're in control of how far you want to go, how steep your route is, and how many calories you burn.
Hiking is a great way to work up a sweat and relieve stress.
There's a lot to be said for the trend of lacing up your shoes and getting out into nature. Come on, you too set for hiking for beginners!
What are the advantages of hiking for beginners
I could make the list of benefits and reasons to start hiking infinitely long. But I have kept it extra short so that we can quickly get to the Hiking for beginners tips can come.
When hiking:
- you build up condition
- you fill up with fresh air
- you reduce stress
- you recharge your vitamin D stores in the sun
- you get to know new places and your home
- you can save a lot of money
- you hardly need any equipment
- you are completely flexible
- you can switch off far away from hectic and everyday stress
You already have the desire to go into nature? Great! But you have absolutely no idea what you are looking for in the Hiking for beginners you have to pay attention to? What you need and where to start? Yes, then we want to help you.
We are huge hiking fans and love to travel in the mountains. So get off the couch and into the great outdoors!
Why hiking is sport
The myth that hiking is not a sport has persisted for many years. And quite wrongly so.
When hiking, you burn a lot of calories. Depending on the route and pace, you burn between 300 and 600 calories per hour. For comparison: If I go running for half an hour, I burn about 350 calories.
Unlike a runner, however, as a hiker you're out for much longer than just half an hour. If you walk with Hiking for beginners start, there are probably already up to 2 hours.
Later, when you are more advanced, it can be between 3 and 5 hours. So at 3 hours you get 900 calories, with a not very demanding route.
The steady and long exercise strengthens your cardiovascular system. It also improves blood counts and oxygen uptake. And your metabolism is boosted. Your muscles and bones become stronger.
Whether cycling, fast walking or hiking for beginners, these sports have the great bonus of being able to set their own pace.
Well convinced? Then let's get started :)
So you can lose weight with hiking!
Hiking for beginners - the best tips for your first hiking tour
Quickly get the shoes, the backpack and off into the pampas? Not a good idea. Let's take it slow. You should at least invest in a few pieces of equipment and considerations.
A big advantage of hiking is that it doesn't cost anything. Once you have purchased good equipment, you can use it for many years.
I stock up for my hiking tours in the Bergzeit Shop. Here you'll find great deals and plenty of clothing made for adventures in the mountains.
From shirts, pants, jackets to shoes and also via ferrata sets, bouldering accessories and equipment for alpine tours. Just is also again a huge sale in Bergzeit Shop.
1. the right equipment for hiking beginners
Hiking is great. You need very little equipment. And what you need you can wear for many years if you take care of it.
Again and again I see Sunday walkers on the mountain. Equipped with high white socks, sandals, Chucks and shirts with sayings on them. It looks funny, but it's not a good idea.
Always dress in a double-breasted suit. During the hike you are exposed to different conditions. From wind, sun, cold to heat, everything can be present on a tour.
Attention: Especially as a beginner you will most likely be affected by blisters on the feet, but fortunately you can easily do something about it. We'll tell you what in an extra blog post.
So you can prevent blisters on the heel!
Find the right hiking boots
Invest money in a pair of hiking boots. They'll give you support, keep you from slipping on steep terrain, and prevent you from twisting an ankle.
Depending on the length and nature of the tour, you can use different shoes for hiking.
The sole is important. It must have a good profile that does not let you slip on steep and muddy terrain. I wear hiking shoes that are suitable for steep terrain.
With it I can walk over alpine pastures, make a via ferrata tour or just walk normally. They are somewhat heavy but waterproof and virtually indestructible.
Unlike sneakers, the sole is quite firm and only slightly flexible. This has the advantage that you do not slip on rocky ground.
And that is especially important on via ferrata. If you are interested in the topic, take a look at our via ferrata beginner tips!
The best via ferrata tips for beginners!
Tip: Take off your shoes during breaks. This allows the socks to dry and you can prevent blisters.
The hiking pants
And then there are the pants. For simple tours you can take a normal leggings. That's comfortable and is perfectly adequate.
If your tours are going to be demanding, though, you should get a pair of hiking pants. I have one that zips up. At noon when it gets warm, I simply take off the pant legs. Super practical and you are equipped for everything.
In principle, the pants should be comfortable. You have a big advantage if they are waterproof, at least on the buttocks and legs. Unlike leggings, hiking pants have the advantage that they are equipped with pockets.
The hiking shirt and jacket
You should say goodbye to your beloved cotton shirt now. It may look great, but it's not comfortable when you're sweating. Cotton absorbs sweat. So the shirt gets wet and cold. And you? You get sick.
So: As a beginner hiker you don't have to buy an extra shirt. You can also take your running shirt. The main thing is that it is functional material and not cotton. Whether with sleeves, without sleeves or long sleeve depends on the weather and your tour. In any case, you should always have a second shirt to change into.
Your jacket should be waterproof and windproof. Depending on the season, you can take a thicker or thinner jacket with you on a hiking tour. A hood offers many advantages if it should start to rain or storm. Tip: Choose a bright and colorful jacket. If something happens to you, you will be seen immediately!
Fancy hiking in winter? Try snowshoeing!
The backpack
At least as important as the shoes :) Finally, you have room in the backpack for water, rolls and granola bars. Hiking backpacks come in all sizes. I have a small one in which a jacket, a shirt, water and a bit to eat has space. That's perfectly enough for most tours.
For very long tours, I like to fall back on my large backpack. A good backpack for hiking for beginners is small and light. Especially for tours under three hours, that's quite enough.
Properly equipped on the bottom and top
Grab a sports bra and leave your normal bra in the closet. When sweating, the material of the sports bra is much more pleasant. It does not cut in, it does not pinch and is super comfortable. For hiking, a bra with medium support is enough.
And while we were on the subject of cotton: Your panties shouldn't be made of cotton either. That's uncomfortable. There are special sports underwear that wick away moisture well and have no seams. So nothing can pinch and tweak. :)
The same applies to hiking socks. Cotton socks soak up sweat and cause blisters and pressure points. Hiking socks are reinforced in the right places and transport sweat away from the foot.
Once you are equipped, you can continue with the tips on hiking for beginners.
2. plan the first hiking route
You want to climb a peak take a photo with summit cross? Good goal! Whether you can do it the first time depends on your fitness. Hiking is an endurance sport, so if you can only walk a few meters without puffing, you won't make it to the summit. But that doesn't matter at all.
To start directly with the first hiking tour with 30 kilometers is aboslut nonsense. You will only lose the fun.
Day tours and tours with large gradients are suitable only for experienced hikers.
For the beginning, I recommend a workload of three to four hours. Including breaks, of course. That will definitely be enough to sweat for the beginning.
Your body must first slowly get used to the new effort. People who move little in everyday life often have shortened tendons and are a bit rusty.
So don't overdo it. You will also have sore muscles from the three-hour tour.
Look for a hike in the vicinity for this already 10 km are enough. Grab a hiking partner and try it first.
Try using Wander Apps. You can save the route and retrieve it offline if you don't have reception. There are many routes, guaranteed to be on your doorstep!
3. assess yourself correctly
Be sure to be realistic and assess yourself correctly. Start out very leisurely. Slowly increase the difficulty and length of your outdoor experience.
A small principle says: Hiking beginners cover a maximum of 4 kilometers per hour. If it is not steep. That is, on fairly level terrain.
If your tour is steep, allow more time. Maximum 2 kilometers per hour. It doesn't sound like much, but remember to take breaks, which you will definitely need!
The route always depends on the fitness level of all (!) Participants. Do not conclude from you on your hiking partners!
4. hiking for beginners only in good weather
Watch the weather very closely. Did it rain hard the day before? What is the weather supposed to be like during the day today?
It is important that you know that whether there will be a weather change or not. You can adjust your route in case of unstable weather.
However, if thunderstorms are predicted, don't go running at all. It is too dangerous to be outdoors in lightning and rain.
You should always start your first hiking tour when the weather is 100%ig nice. You will and want to be busy with other things than being angry about the weather.
Especially in the mountains, the weather always plays a big risk! Do not underestimate it. The weather can change very quickly on the mountains. I had to experience this live myself. Within less than 10 minutes the weather changed from light clouds to extreme fog, lightning and heavy rain. Half an hour later, everything was over again.
I even found a photo there. :) That was very shortly before the rain shower. One must say that it is on the photo 13 o'clock in summer!
5. pack food and drink
From marching and fresh air you will be hungry. A bread or an apple tastes a thousand times better after a tour than in the living room.
No wonder. You consume up to 550 calories per hour per tour. So your energy stores want to be filled.
But first, eat some breakfast. You shouldn't go out on an empty stomach. Muesli, bread with a spread and vegetables or honey are particularly suitable. A banana provides you with quick energy.
For the road I always have trail mix, fruit, granola bars and a loaf of bread with me. Depending on whether a hut is on the way or not, it is more or less.
What you can't do without is something to drink. Water is the most important commodity when you go hiking. You don't have to take a lot of water with you on every tour.
When planning, look to see if you can find a water source along the way.
As an average trained hiker, you lose 0.6 liters of fluid per hour. So you need to replenish your water stores regularly.
It is best to use tap water or cold tea. Fill the drink into a water bottle. In the chilly fall, you can also use a thermos to keep your tea warm.
Do not drink 1 liter at a time. Drink 200 ml about every 30 minutes, so that no thirst arises.
If you are a little more advanced, you can switch from the water bottle to a hydration system for the backpack. This saves you having to remove the backpack.
6. stay on the paths
Especially as a hiking beginner, shortcuts are appealing. You get faster to the destination and to the food :) But that is really dangerous.
Always stay on marked trails and don't just go across the forest just because it's supposed to be shorter.
Shortcuts can be shorter, but they are usually much steeper. If you are unsure, take your cell phone and double check all data to be on the safe side.
Especially as a beginner you can get lost quickly. After a while, your sense of direction will improve. But even then you should not challenge it.
Hiking for beginners also means that you should trust the signs. If a hiking trail says "special surefootedness", you should give it a wide berth as a beginner. For this you need a lot of stamina and leg muscles. In addition, a good sense of balance and very good equipment.
7. hiking for beginners only in team
You want to start hiking right away, but can't find a partner? Nevertheless, don't go off alone. Especially in the beginning you should be at least two.
When you're in a group, you're much safer. It's also more fun. And you get better photos too :)
Always try to stay within sight of each other. Even if you have a different pace. In nature you can get lost faster than you think. Just take a wrong turn and you'll be separated.
This often triggers panic. And that's exactly when accidents happen. If you're all alone then, it's really no fun. That's why you should always stay together!
8. always let know where you are
When you venture into the mountains, your cell phone reception can quickly be anything but good. Then you have the advantage that you are not alone on the road.
But still, something could happen to you. If no one knows where you are, this can have bad consequences.
So for every hike, make sure you let at least one person know where you are going and approximately how long it will take.
9. charge your cell phone battery
Sounds quite logical, doesn't it? But make sure that your battery is really at 100%. In an emergency, you can call for help, check the tour again and have a flashlight with you.
Besides, it would be a shame if you didn't have any photos from your first hiking trip. :)
Our conclusion
To deal with the topic of hiking for beginners as a beginner really pays off. There are many things that you don't think about as a beginner, but which seem perfectly logical after a few tours. Take enough time to plan your first tour and don't go off alone. Then everything should go well :)
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