Hiking for Beginners: A Complete Guide — Walking In Circles
New to hiking and wondering where to start? You don't need expensive gear, mountain experience or incredible fitness to begin hiking. Start with shorter local walks, wear comfortable footwear, learn some basic navigation and gradually increase your distance as your confidence and fitness grow.
This beginner's guide covers everything you need to start hiking in the UK — from choosing your first route and essential hiking gear to navigation, fitness and staying safe on the trail.
For me, there is nothing quite like getting my hiking boots on, packing up my rucksack, and heading out onto the trail.
It’s the chance to leave all my worries behind me, and to be surrounded by nature. I love the peace, with no sounds except the call of the birds singing, and the rush of the morning breeze. I breathe in the air and lift my face to the sun (always the optimist in the UK), and with a renewed energy I head off on my hike. I am truly at my happiest knowing I am embarking on an adventure with the great outdoors.
This is how hiking makes me feel…every single time!
If that’s given you a taste for more, then welcome to the world of hiking. So, how do you actually get started?
I’ve been hiking for many years now. But back when I first started, I really had very little knowledge of the hiking world, and how to make that step up from simple local walks to more adventurous hikes and climbs. Safe to say, since then I’ve picked up loads of tips and tricks along the way.
HOW TO START HIKING
So you’re new to hiking and wondering where to start? The good news is that you don’t need expensive gear, mountain experience or incredible fitness. The best way to start hiking is simply to choose a short, manageable local walk and build up gradually as your confidence and fitness improve.
I started with simple local walks myself before moving on to longer hikes, mountain challenges and multi-day treks. In this guide, I’ll take you through what I’ve learned — from choosing your first route and what to wear, to navigation, fitness and staying safe on the trail.
Look out for some ACTIONS along the way to get you going. In no time, you’ll soon be going from hiking novice to hiking pro!
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIKING AND WALKING?
Walking is something we all do every day, but hiking usually means heading out on a longer or more purposeful walk, often on trails, footpaths or more varied terrain. There’s no hard-and-fast dividing line between the two — and in the UK, we tend to use the word walking far more broadly than hiking.
Hiking is often defined as “a long, vigorous walk, usually on trails or footpaths in the countryside”. But in my opinion, it doesn’t have to be particularly vigorous, last for hours or even be restricted to the countryside.
Hiking can lead you to explore many trails, across a variety of landscapes and terrains, such as mountains, forests, coastal paths, lakes, deserts etc. Hiking can be as long or short as you like, and at whatever pace is suitable to you.
Now that we know what the difference between walking and hiking is, let’s look at some of the many benefits of hiking…
THE BENEFITS OF HIKING
One of the best things about hiking is that the benefits go far beyond simply getting fitter. It gets you outdoors, connects you with nature, can improve your physical and mental wellbeing — and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Hiking is FREE
You don’t need a gym membership or loads of expensive equipment to start hiking. Find a suitable local trail, pull on some comfortable footwear and you’re off. In the UK, we’re incredibly lucky to have thousands of miles of public footpaths and walking trails to explore.
Of course, once you catch the hiking bug, you may find yourself looking at outdoor shops with considerably more interest!
Hiking helps you to connect with nature
One of my favourite things about hiking is simply being outdoors.
Whether it’s woodland, open countryside, a coastal path or the mountains, hiking gives you time away from everyday distractions and a chance to properly take in your surroundings. Spending time in nature can also help with concentration, mood and mental wellbeing.
Hiking is great physical exercise
Hiking is an excellent form of cardiovascular exercise and works muscles throughout your legs and core. Regular hiking can help improve your fitness, stamina, strength and endurance — and hills and uneven terrain add an extra challenge.
The great thing for beginners is that you can start small. You certainly don't need to head for the Himalayas! A few miles on a local trail is still a hike, and you can gradually increase the distance and difficulty as your fitness improves.
Hiking promotes well-being
And breathe!
Spending time in nature during a hike has been linked to reduced stress, anxiety and depression. The combination of physical activity and exposure to natural surroundings contributes to improved mood and mental well-being. Hiking helps you to switch off!
TOP 10 ESSENTIAL HIKING KIT FOR BEGINNERS
If you’re new to hiking, it’s easy to think you need to spend a fortune on hiking gear before you even set foot on a trail. You really don’t. For your first few hikes, a relatively small amount of basic kit will keep you comfortable, prepared and safe.
Hiking gear can become slightly addictive once you get into it — trust me! But start with the essentials and build your kit gradually as you begin walking further and taking on more challenging routes.
Planning a multi-day hike or walking challenge? You’ll find a much more comprehensive list of kit on my Recommended Hiking Gear page.
Here are the Top 10 Hiking Essentials you need
1. Hiking boots or shoes
Your footwear is probably the most important piece of hiking kit to get right. Above all, it needs to fit well, feel comfortable and provide enough grip for the terrain you’ll be walking on.
You don’t necessarily need traditional hiking boots. I wear hiking shoes or trail shoes for many of my walks, switching to boots when I want more protection, warmth or support — particularly in colder, wetter or more demanding conditions.
Modern hiking shoes can look much like trainers, but they’re designed for the trail, with better grip, more durable materials and additional protection around the foot. Waterproof options can be useful in typical UK conditions, although they can also be warmer and less breathable.
If you’re buying your first pair, fit and comfort matter more than the brand. Try them on with the socks you intend to hike in and give yourself time to wear them before tackling a long walk. Don’t make a 25-mile challenge their first outing!
I’ve used everything from lightweight hiking shoes to more substantial boots depending on the terrain. You can see the footwear and other kit I currently use on my Recommended Hiking Gear page.
2. Walking/Hiking Socks
Don’t underestimate the importance of a decent pair of hiking socks. Look for moisture-wicking materials such as merino wool or synthetic blends, which help move moisture away from your feet and reduce the chance of rubbing and blisters.
Make sure they fit comfortably inside your hiking shoes or boots and choose the level of cushioning to suit the conditions and distance you’re walking. I’d avoid ordinary cotton socks for longer hikes, as they tend to hold onto moisture.
3. Hiking trousers, leggings or shorts
Jeans are best avoided for hiking, particularly on longer walks or in wet weather. Denim is heavy when wet, takes a long time to dry and can become pretty uncomfortable.
Instead, choose hiking trousers, leggings or shorts that are comfortable, allow plenty of movement and suit the conditions. Lightweight, quick-drying hiking trousers are a great all-round option, while shorts can work well in warmer weather and warmer trousers are useful during the winter months.
I have several pairs of hiking trousers for different conditions, including convertible trousers with zip-off legs — not necessarily a fashion statement, but surprisingly useful when the British weather can’t make its mind up!
4. Layering
Layering is one of the simplest ways to stay comfortable on a hike, particularly with the changeable weather we get in the UK. Rather than relying on one thick item of clothing, wear several lighter layers that you can add or remove as conditions change.
Base layer
This is the layer next to your skin. Choose something breathable and moisture-wicking that helps move sweat away from your body and dries quickly. A technical hiking top or merino wool layer works well. I’d avoid cotton on longer hikes as once it gets wet, it tends to stay wet.
Mid layer
Your mid layer provides warmth. A lightweight fleece is a great starting point and doesn’t need to be expensive. A half-zip or full-zip fleece also makes it easy to regulate your temperature while you’re walking.
In colder conditions, you may want an additional insulating layer such as a lightweight synthetic or down jacket.
Outer layer
Your outer layer protects you from wind and rain. In the UK, I’d consider a waterproof jacket an essential piece of hiking kit — even when the forecast looks promising.
5. Waterproof Jacket
We all know how unpredictable the weather can be in the UK. Even on a sunny morning, I’d still recommend carrying a lightweight waterproof jacket. Getting caught in heavy rain miles from home isn’t much fun, and a good waterproof shell will also provide protection from the wind.
Look for something waterproof, breathable and packable, with a hood that fits well and enough room underneath for your other layers. Gore-Tex is one option, but there are plenty of other waterproof fabrics that do the job too.
You don’t need to spend a fortune when you’re starting out. The important thing is having a jacket you’ll actually carry with you — because the best waterproof in the world isn’t much use sitting at home!
6. Down jacket (insulated)
If you’re hiking in colder conditions, an insulated jacket can be a really useful addition to your kit. It’s particularly valuable when you stop for a break, reach an exposed summit or the temperature suddenly drops.
Down jackets offer excellent warmth for their weight and pack down small, while synthetic insulated jackets can perform better in damp conditions. Which you choose will depend on where and when you’re hiking.
For a beginner heading out on shorter walks in milder weather, you probably won’t need one straight away. But as you start hiking through winter, heading higher into the hills or taking on longer adventures, it’s well worth considering.
7. Navigation & Communication
Knowing where you are — and where you’re going — is one of the most important hiking skills to learn.
For straightforward local walks, a navigation app on your phone may be all you need. Download your route or map for offline use before you set off, as you can’t rely on having a mobile signal everywhere.
As you progress to more remote or mountainous routes, it’s worth learning how to use a paper map and compass as a backup rather than relying entirely on your phone.
Carry a fully charged mobile phone and, for longer hikes, a portable power bank. It’s also a good habit to tell someone where you’re going and roughly when you expect to be back.
8. First Aid
You don’t need to carry a huge first aid kit, but a small basic kit is worth having in your rucksack. At a minimum, I’d include plasters, blister treatment, antiseptic wipes and a couple of dressings.
As your hikes become longer or more remote, you can build your kit around the type of walking you’re doing. And, of course, carrying a first aid kit is much more useful if you know how to use what’s in it!
9. Headtorch
A headtorch is a small piece of kit that can make a big difference if a hike takes longer than planned. I carry one on longer walks, winter hikes and any route where there’s a chance I could still be out as daylight fades.
Make sure it’s charged before you leave, or carry spare batteries if your headtorch uses them. Your phone torch is useful in an emergency, but I wouldn’t rely on it as your main light source.
10. Rucksack or Trail Vest
Last but not least, you need something comfortable to carry all this in!
For shorter hikes, a small daypack or trail vest may be all you need. For longer walks, I prefer a rucksack with enough room for extra layers, waterproofs, food, water and the other essentials I’m carrying.
Fit and comfort are more important than size alone. Look for something that sits comfortably on your back and shoulders, and consider features such as accessible pockets, a chest or waist strap and protection from the rain.
Don’t automatically buy a huge pack. The more space you have, the more tempting it is to fill it!
ADDITIONAL KIT
Water bladder or bottle?
Always carry enough water for the walk you’re planning. How much you need will depend on the distance, weather, terrain and how much you personally tend to drink.
A reusable bottle is perfectly adequate for most walks, while a hydration bladder can be really handy on longer hikes because you can drink regularly without stopping to get a bottle out of your rucksack.
Whichever you prefer, make sure you start with enough water and think about whether there will be somewhere safe to refill along the route. On hot days and longer hikes, you’ll naturally need to carry more.
Hat, cap and gloves
Small items can make a surprisingly big difference to your comfort. In warm, sunny weather, a cap or sun hat provides useful protection from the sun. In colder conditions, a warm hat or beanie helps reduce heat loss and can make exposed or windy sections much more comfortable.
Gloves are also well worth carrying in colder weather, particularly on higher or more exposed routes. Lightweight gloves take up very little room in your pack, so I’d rather have them and not need them than discover halfway up a hill that I wish I’d brought them!
Food
Food needs will vary depending on the length and difficulty of your hike, but I always carry something to eat — even if I’m not planning to be out all day.
For longer walks, take enough food to keep your energy levels up, along with a few easy-to-reach snacks. Things like fruit, nuts, cereal or energy bars and sandwiches are simple options.
And remember to take everything home with you, including wrappers and food waste. Leave no trace.
Sun protection and insect repellent
Don’t be fooled by typical British weather! Sun protection is worth carrying during warmer months and on exposed routes. Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat can all help protect you on long days outside.
Insect repellent can also be useful depending on the location and time of year — particularly in areas where midges or ticks are common.
Spare warm layer
You probably don’t need to carry a complete change of clothes on an ordinary day hike, but an additional warm layer can be very useful if the temperature drops or you get colder than expected.
On longer, colder or more remote hikes, I’ll think more carefully about what spare clothing I carry based on the conditions and route.
Walking Poles
Walking poles are optional, but they can be really useful, particularly on steep or uneven terrain. They can improve stability and help take some of the load off your legs on long ascents and descents.
If you’re new to poles, it’s worth practising with them on an easier walk first. Once you get used to the rhythm, they can become a very useful part of your hiking kit.
ACTION!
Before your first hike, think about the route, weather and conditions, then make sure you have the right kit for the day.
You don’t need to buy everything at once. Start with the essentials and build up your hiking gear as your walks become longer and more adventurous.
For ideas on the kit I personally use, take a look at my Recommended Hiking Gear page.
TYPES OF HIKES
There’s no single type of hike. You can start with a gentle walk close to home and gradually work your way towards woodland trails, hill walks, mountain hikes and even multi-day adventures.
The important thing when you’re starting out is to choose something that suits your current fitness and experience — and build from there.
Local walks – A great place to start. Try your local park, woodland, canal, riverside or countryside paths. You don’t need to cover huge distances or tackle big hills. The aim is simply to get outside, spend more time on your feet and become comfortable exploring somewhere new.
This is how I first started many years ago. I had moved a little further out of town into a more rural village. I was keen to explore my local area, with its vast green spaces, and array of wildlife very close by. What did I do? With no hiking gear so to speak, just putting on a sensible pair of boots, I decided first to explore my local park. My area is renowned for the fallow deer that reside here. What better excuse did I need? Seeing so many deer for the first time in their natural habitat, surrounded by deep woodland, and I was hooked! Granted, I’m very lucky to have this right on my doorstep. But the act of taking some time to venture outdoors started the whole process of me going from beginner walker to taking on much bigger hiking adventures! It didn’t happen overnight. But it was the beginning!
Gradually I ventured further and extended my walking from my local park to the countryside fields and beyond that to the forest. I discovered paths and trails I never knew existed! It opened a whole new world for me.
ACTION!
Take a walk in your local park. If this is your first time, try walking for 20-30 mins, at whatever pace suits you. Notice what’s going on around you – the wildlife, the trees, the terrain. Are you on your own? Are there other people walking? Pay attention to your senses, and try and frame them for memory. You can also track your walk… Where you went, what distance you walked, and if you wish how many calories you burned. Then repeat, building your walking time up to 30-45 mins, and so on.
Day hike – A hike that starts and finishes on the same day. It could be anything from a couple of hours on an easy local trail to a full day in the hills. As your fitness and experience grow, you can gradually increase the distance, ascent and difficulty.
There are several different ways to plan a day hike:
Loop or circular hike – You start and finish in the same place, making these particularly easy to plan. There’s no need to arrange transport back to your starting point and, rather than retracing your steps, you get new scenery for most or all of the route.
A to B hike – Also known as a point-to-point or one-way hike. You start in one place and finish somewhere else, so you'll need to think about transport at the other end — whether that's a train, bus, taxi or a lift back.
Most of the hikes I’ve written about are circular routes, including Cheddar Gorge, Box Hill and Epping Forest. I love the variety they bring — and, after all, there’s a reason I called the blog Walking in Circles!
I’ve done plenty of A to B hikes too, including the Viking Coastal Trail in Kent and walks along the Regent’s Canal. They can be a great way of covering a longer stretch of trail without retracing your steps — just make sure you’ve worked out how you’re getting home before you set off!
ACTION!
Once you’re comfortable with regular walks and have built up some time on your feet, take the next step and plan a longer day hike.
Choose a circular or A to B route that suits your current fitness. Something around 8–12km can be a good first target, but don’t focus on distance alone. Check the terrain, ascent, weather and estimated walking time before you set off.
You can explore some of the routes on Walking in Circles, or use an app such as OS Maps or AllTrails to find something suitable. Look for an easy or moderate route with recent reviews so you have a good idea of what to expect.
Most importantly, build up gradually. There’s no prize for making your first proper hike harder than it needs to be!
Multi-day hike – This is simply a hike that takes place over two or more days. It could involve camping, staying in accommodation along the route, or joining an organised trekking trip.
Multi-day hiking brings a few extra considerations, including carrying more kit, managing several consecutive days of walking and planning accommodation, food and transport. But don’t assume it’s only for expert hikers. Once you’ve built up your fitness and completed some longer day hikes, a multi-day adventure can be a brilliant next step.
Summit hike – A hike where the objective is to reach the summit of a hill or mountain. And don’t let the word summit put you off — it doesn’t necessarily mean tackling a huge mountain!
There are plenty of smaller hills and peaks around the UK that make fantastic first summit hikes. They introduce you to climbing and descending, changing terrain and often reward you with some pretty spectacular views.
You’ll also come across trig points on many UK hills. These concrete pillars were originally built for surveying and have become a familiar sight — and a very satisfying photo stop — at the top of many hikes.
Trig point on Helvellyn summitIf you’ve read much of Walking in Circles, you’ll know that plenty of my hikes involve their fair share of hills! As your confidence grows, that might mean taking on something like the Surrey 3 Peaks or the Edale Skyline — but you certainly don’t need to start there.
Box Hill is a good example. I still remember the first time I walked it. At the time, it felt like one of the toughest walks I’d ever done, not least because the route finished with its biggest hill! Reaching the top at the end felt like a genuine achievement.
I’ve been back dozens of times since, including with people relatively new to hiking. One of the things I love most is seeing that same sense of achievement when someone reaches the top after wondering whether they could do it.
That’s one of the great things about hiking. What feels like a huge challenge when you start can eventually become something you look back on and realise just how far you’ve come.
Trig point on Box Hill, SurreyACTION!
Once you’re comfortable with longer walks and gentle hills, choose a route that introduces a little more ascent. You don’t need to head straight for a mountain — your first goal could simply be reaching the top of a local hill.
Look for a route that matches your current fitness and experience, and check the distance, ascent, terrain and weather forecast before setting off. Box Hill, for example, has plenty of routes of different lengths, while the Peak District offers lots of options if you’re ready for something more challenging.
The aim isn’t to find the biggest hill you can. It’s to take another step up from what you’ve already done — and enjoy that feeling of reaching the top!
Before heading into the hills, make sure you have suitable footwear, waterproofs, enough food and water, and a way to navigate your route.
Now for some more advanced types of hikes…
Trekking – The line between hiking and trekking can be a little blurry, but trekking generally describes longer, more demanding journeys, often taking place over several days and sometimes in more remote or mountainous terrain.
You’ll need more planning, fitness and preparation than for a typical day hike, but trekking is something you can work towards as your hiking experience grows.
Thru-hiking – This means completing an established long-distance trail from one end to the other. Famous examples include the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail in the USA, and the Camino de Santiago routes in Europe.
Here in the UK, trails such as Hadrian’s Wall Path, the West Highland Way, South Downs Way and Offa’s Dyke Path can provide your first taste of a long-distance journey.
You don’t necessarily have to walk an entire trail in one go either. Section hiking allows you to complete it a stretch at a time — a great way to experience long-distance hiking without committing to weeks on the trail.
Backpacking – Backpacking combines multi-day hiking with carrying most or all of what you need for the journey, often including your tent, sleeping equipment, food and cooking gear.
The extra weight makes it more demanding than accommodation-based multi-day hiking, so it’s worth gaining some experience — and learning how little you really need to carry! — before setting off on a longer backpacking trip.
AND WHAT ABOUT MORE TECHNICAL HIKING?
Scrambling – Scrambling sits somewhere between hiking and climbing, where you’ll sometimes need to use your hands as well as your feet to make progress over steeper or rockier terrain. There are different grades of scrambling, and some routes can involve exposure and require a good head for heights.
It’s something to build up to rather than jumping straight into as a beginner.
Ridge walking – Ridge walks follow higher ground, often with spectacular views on either side. Some are relatively straightforward, while others can be narrow, exposed and involve sections of scrambling.
Striding Edge on Helvellyn is one of the best-known examples in the UK — a fantastic route, but certainly not one I’d recommend as your first introduction to hillwalking!
Mountaineering – This takes things beyond normal hiking into more technical mountain terrain. Depending on the route and conditions, it can involve specialist equipment and skills, particularly when snow, ice or climbing are involved.
If you want to progress into mountaineering, proper training and experience are important — ideally learning from someone suitably qualified rather than simply heading into the mountains and working it out as you go.
WHERE TO FIND HIKING ROUTES
Now you know the different types of hiking you can try, the next question is: where do you actually find a good route?
The good news is that there are thousands of routes out there, from easy local walks to full-day mountain hikes. Here are some of the best places to start.
Hiking blogs – You’re already in the right place! I’ve built up a collection of walks and hikes from around the UK, with route information, photos and practical advice based on actually walking them myself. Have a browse through my Hiking Blog to see if something takes your fancy.
There are also plenty of other excellent hiking blogs out there, so they can be a great source of inspiration when you’re looking for somewhere new.
Hiking platforms and apps – Hiking apps make finding and following routes much easier. You can search for walks near you, check distance and elevation, see other walkers’ routes and, depending on the app and subscription, download maps for offline use.
In the UK, my go-to is OS Maps. I regularly use it to plan routes and you’ll see OS route maps throughout my hiking blogs. Being able to download a route for offline use is particularly useful when you’re heading somewhere unfamiliar.
AllTrails is another great option, especially for discovering walks both in the UK and overseas. You can search by location, distance and difficulty and read reviews from people who have already completed the route.
Whichever app you use, don’t assume you’ll always have a mobile signal. Download your route before setting off, make sure your phone is fully charged and, as you progress onto more remote or mountainous hikes, learn how to use a paper map and compass as a backup.
Some offline mapping features require a paid subscription.
I much prefer that. It gets rid of some of the slightly dated marketing language such as “global market leader” and “literally loads”, and it reinforces the navigation/safety advice we added earlier without repeating the whole thing.
ACTION!
Download a hiking app such as OS Maps or AllTrails and spend a little time getting familiar with it.
Find an easy route close to home, check the distance, elevation and recent reviews, then download the route if offline mapping is available.
And then the important bit — go and walk it!
National Parks and local walking websites
There’s a huge amount of free route information online. National Parks, the National Trust, local councils and tourism websites can all be excellent places to find established walking routes, often with useful information about parking, facilities, accessibility and points of interest along the way.
A simple online search can work well too. Try something specific such as “easy circular walks in the Peak District”, “walks near me” or “5-mile walks in Surrey” rather than just searching for hiking routes.
When choosing a route, check that the information is reasonably up to date and look at the distance, elevation, terrain and difficulty rather than judging it on distance alone. Five miles over steep or rough ground can feel very different from five miles along a canal!
FINDING PEOPLE TO HIKE WITH
Hiking doesn’t have to be a solo activity — although there’s absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying the trail on your own.
I love both. Sometimes there’s nothing better than heading out by myself, walking at my own pace and having a few hours with my own thoughts. But some of my best hiking experiences have come from walking with other people — and many of the friendships I’ve made through hiking have continued long after the walk itself.
If you’d rather not hike alone, there are plenty of ways to find people to walk with.
Friends and family – Start with the people you already know. You might be surprised how many would be up for a walk if somebody actually suggested one! Starting together can also make those first few longer walks feel far less daunting.
Walking groups and online communities – Facebook groups, local walking groups and organised hiking communities can be brilliant for meeting people with similar interests. Look for groups in your local area or around the type of walking you want to do.
I found the Ultra Challenge Facebook community particularly useful when I started taking on longer challenge walks. Communities like these can be a great place to ask questions, learn from people with more experience and sometimes find others to walk or train with.
ACTION!
Ready to find some people to walk with?
Search for a local walking or hiking group and find one that suits the kind of walking you want to do. A good place to start is the Ramblers, which has groups across Britain, or Meetup, where you’ll find plenty of local walking and hiking communities.
You can also search Facebook for walking groups in your area — try something as simple as “walking groups near me” or search for your town, county or nearest National Park.
Find one group that appeals to you, join it and see what walks they have coming up. You don't have to commit to anything yet!
Organised walking holidays – If you want to take things a bit further, an organised walking holiday can be a great way to explore somewhere new without having to plan everything yourself.
There are options in the UK and overseas, ranging from self-guided holidays — where your accommodation, route information and sometimes luggage transfers are arranged for you — through to fully guided group trips.
Companies such as Explore, Exodus Adventure Travels and HF Holidays offer a wide range of walking and trekking trips, while there are also plenty of smaller specialists covering particular destinations and long-distance trails.
If you’re relatively new to hiking, look carefully at the difficulty grading, daily distance and elevation gain before booking. One company’s idea of “moderate” may be rather different from yours!
Maps and guidebooks – Even if you’re planning to navigate using your phone, maps and guidebooks are still incredibly useful. A good walking guide can help you choose routes that suit your ability, with information on distance, difficulty, terrain, parking, refreshments and points of interest along the way.
For UK hiking, Ordnance Survey (OS) maps provide detailed mapping of footpaths, rights of way and the surrounding terrain. You don’t need to become an expert map-reader before your first walk, but learning the basics is a really useful skill as you start venturing further afield.
And I still love a good walking guidebook! There’s something rather satisfying about flicking through a book, finding a route that catches your eye and thinking, “Right, I’m doing that one.”
For longer or more remote hikes, I’d always recommend carrying a paper map and knowing how to use it alongside your digital navigation.
GETTING HIKING FIT
The best way to get fit for hiking? Go hiking!
It sounds obvious, but spending more time on your feet is one of the best ways to build the stamina you’ll need on the trail. Start with shorter walks and gradually increase the distance, time and amount of climbing as your fitness improves.
You certainly don’t need to be super-fit before you start hiking. I wasn’t! But as I began taking on longer and hillier walks, I realised that doing some additional training made a huge difference — particularly to my legs, core strength and endurance.
The important thing is to build up gradually. Don’t go from a gentle 5km walk one weekend to attempting a 30km mountain challenge the next. Give your body time to adapt.
Cardio
Regular cardiovascular exercise will help build the endurance you need to spend longer on your feet. Brisk walking is the obvious place to start, but cycling, swimming, using a treadmill or cross-trainer can all help.
If you have access to a treadmill, gradually adding some incline is particularly useful. Better still, get outside and find some hills. Hiking fitness is about more than distance — elevation makes a huge difference.
As your fitness improves, you can introduce more intensive training if you want to, but you certainly don't need to start doing HIIT classes to become a hiker.
Leg training
Your legs do most of the work when you’re hiking, particularly when you start adding hills. Building strength in your quads, hamstrings, glutes and calves can make climbing easier and, importantly, help you cope with the descents too.
You don’t need complicated equipment. Squats, lunges, step-ups and calf raises are all useful exercises and can be done at home or in the gym.
If you’re new to strength training, start gently and concentrate on good technique before adding more weight or repetitions.
Back and shoulders
Even on a day hike, you could be carrying a rucksack for several hours, so it helps to get your body accustomed to it.
Rather than suddenly loading up a heavy pack, start carrying your hiking rucksack on shorter walks with a small amount of weight inside. Gradually increase the distance and weight as you become more comfortable.
This also gives you the chance to adjust the straps properly and discover any annoying rubbing or pressure points before you're halfway up a mountain!
Core
A strong core helps with balance, stability and posture, particularly on uneven ground and when carrying a rucksack.
You don't need hundreds of sit-ups. Exercises such as planks, side planks and bridges can all help build the strength and stability that's useful on the trail.
And don't underestimate hiking itself. Walking over uneven terrain, climbing hills and maintaining your balance all make your core work harder than you might realise.
Training hikes
This is probably the most important bit of training you can do: actually go hiking.
Gradually increase the distance and difficulty of your walks. Introduce some hills, spend longer on your feet and occasionally carry the rucksack and kit you expect to use on longer hikes.
Training hikes also teach you things that a gym can't — how your boots feel after several hours, what food works for you, how much water you drink, whether your rucksack is comfortable and how your body copes with hills.
Don't worry about speed. At this stage, time on your feet and gradually building your confidence matter far more.
READY FOR A BIGGER CHALLENGE?
Once you’ve built up your walking fitness, you might decide to set yourself a bigger goal — perhaps a marathon walk, 50km challenge or even 100km.
I’ve put together a dedicated Challenge Training Hub, with practical advice and training plans to help you prepare for longer-distance walking challenges.
AFTER YOUR HIKE
So you’ve finished your hike — brilliant! Before you collapse onto the sofa, there are a few simple things worth doing to help yourself recover and get your kit ready for next time.
Cool down and recover – After a longer or tougher hike, keep moving gently for a few minutes rather than stopping completely. Some light stretching can feel good if your muscles are tight, although don’t worry if you feel a little stiff the following day — particularly when you’re new to hiking.
Give your body time to recover before your next big walk. If you have significant or persistent pain rather than normal post-hike aches and tiredness, don’t simply try to walk through it.
Rehydrate and refuel – Drink some water after your hike and continue rehydrating over the next few hours. After a particularly long, hot or strenuous walk, a drink containing electrolytes can also be useful.
And eat! A decent meal or snack containing carbohydrate and protein will help replenish the energy you’ve used and support your recovery. Besides, one of the great pleasures of a long hike is knowing you've earned a decent meal afterwards!
Empty your rucksack – Do this sooner rather than later. Take out any rubbish, leftover food, wet clothing and your water bladder or bottles. There's nothing quite like discovering a forgotten banana in the bottom of a rucksack several days later!
Let any damp kit dry properly before putting it away, and clean and dry your hydration bladder or bottles ready for your next walk.
Then keep your existing Clean your hiking boots/shoes heading underneath and show me what's currently written there.
BEFORE YOUR NEXT HIKE
Plan your next hike – Be honest... you’ve got the hiking bug now! Start thinking about where you want to explore next. Perhaps go a little further, add some hills or discover somewhere completely new.
Check your gear – Before your next walk, give your kit a quick check. Make sure your boots are dry, your waterproofs and other clothing are ready, your first aid kit is stocked and anything rechargeable — such as your phone, power bank or headtorch — is charged.
Pack the night before – I’m a big fan of getting my rucksack packed and ready the night before a hike. Early starts are much easier when you're not wandering around half asleep looking for your headtorch or wondering where you put your walking socks!
SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE
Congratulations — you’re officially a hiker!
Hopefully that first hike has left you wanting to do another one. And one of the best things about hiking is sharing the experience with other people.
Tell your friends and family where you’ve been. Share a photo. Join a walking group or online hiking community. Or simply recommend the route to someone else who might enjoy it.
You’ll probably find that the more you walk, the more places you want to discover — and the more people you meet along the way.
And if this guide has helped you get started, I’d genuinely love to hear where your first hike took you. Drop me a message through Walking in Circles and tell me about it.
ACTION!
Now plan hike number two!
Choose somewhere you’ve never walked before. It doesn’t need to be longer or harder than your first hike — just somewhere new that makes you want to get your boots back on.
Find your route, check the distance and elevation, look at the weather, get your kit ready and put a date in the diary.
The more you walk, the more your fitness, experience and confidence will grow.
And most importantly — enjoy it!
Please contact me for further details.
Common Hiking Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced hikers get things wrong — I certainly have. From setting off without enough food or water to misjudging the weather, underestimating a route or simply carrying far too much stuff, most hiking mistakes are surprisingly easy to make.
The good news is that most are also easy to avoid with a little preparation.
I’ve put together a separate guide covering 50 common hiking mistakes and how to avoid them, including navigation, kit, weather, safety, planning and a few lessons I’ve learned the hard way.
SUMMARY
If you’re new to hiking, the most important thing is simply to get started. You don’t need the most expensive kit, years of experience or ambitions to climb mountains. Pick a sensible route, prepare properly and build things up as your confidence and fitness grow.
There will be things you get wrong along the way — there certainly were for me. That’s part of learning. The important thing is to plan well, respect the conditions and know when changing your plans is the right decision.
For more about what to take with you, have a look at my Guide to the Top 10 Hiking Gear Essentials.
Most importantly, get outside, enjoy the walk and see where it takes you.
Happy hiking!
Marc
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