Safety tips
Safety Tips for Walking Alone

Safety Tips for Walking Alone

One of the many draws about walking in Britain is that you can do it as part of a group or you can do it alone. Although there are big “rambling” associations which promote communal walking, other people prefer to enjoy the tranquillity of walking alone. If you do decide to walk alone, it is important that you take special precautions to keep you safe. Here are some tips for safe walking when you are by yourself.

Know your limitations

When you are planning your route for the day, you need to consider your own limitations. A healthy walker will normally cover about 3 to 4 miles per hour over even ground, but distance covered per hour will reduce when going uphill or over boggy terrain. You should learn how quickly you normally walk, so that you can accurately plan your route for the day.

Knowing your limitations will help you to plan a route that you can do without putting yourself in danger or without getting into difficulties. If you are planning a full days walk, you should make sure that you will get back before the sun sets. It is a good idea to plan the walk so that it finishes at least an hour before sunset, so that you won’t get caught out if you are delayed for whatever reason.

Update contacts

Before you head off on a walk, you should inform someone about where you are going and what time you expect to be back by. This means that they will be able to take appropriate action if you are not back by the time that you originally expected to arrive. In most cases, this will just involve them giving you a call on your phone to see whether you have been delayed. On the other hand, they will have a rough idea of where you might be if they cannot get in contact with you. This will be a great help in the unlikely event that a search party needs to be mobilised.

If you are on a residential trip and walking away from home, you should tell the receptionist at your hotel so that they will be aware of your planned movements.

Adequate provisions

When you go out walking by yourself, it is normal to have to carry a bit more weight so that you can make sure that you have adequate provisions and all of the necessary safety equipment. On the other hand, if you are walking as part of a group it is possible to carry necessary safety equipment (torch, bivvy bag etc) spread evenly across the group.

You should make sure that you have enough food to keep you going throughout the day, but you should also pack some high calorie emergency rations as well. Walkers should always take plenty of water (or other suitable beverage) with them, as dehydration seriously affects energy levels.

Mobile phone

If you go out walking by yourself, you should always carry a mobile phone with you. You should make sure that it is charged up before you head out. If the phone has a short battery life, keep it turned off in case you need it later on.

There is no phone signal in many rural areas in Britain, but carrying a mobile phone with you will allow you to contact the emergency services as soon as possible if something does happen. It is worth noting that it should be possible to call 999 using any network, even if you do not have phone signal with your standard network provider.

Stick to footpaths

When you are walking on your own, you should always stick to footpaths or stay within the boundaries of open access areas. Staying in these areas will make it much easier for search teams to find you if they need to come out to look for you for whatever reason. What is more, you may be trespassing if you walk away from the footpath in certain areas. These areas may not be safe, which means that you might actually be putting yourself in harm’s way.

Trust your instincts

If you are not feeling particularly comfortable about doing something, you should avoid doing it. For example, if you are worried about the changes in the weather, then you should trust your instincts and change your plans accordingly. Your instincts are built on knowledge and experience, and should therefore be relied on when you are out by yourself. This inner voice acts as a companion and helps you to make important decisions about your own safety. You should never take unnecessary risks whilst you are out walking by yourself.

The Alps
Best Walking in Europe

Best Walking in Europe

Although Britain is full of amazing places to walk, there are also fantastic walking regions across Europe. If you want to explore any of these regions, then it is possible to visit most of them independently. On the other hand, there are a number of large walking tour operators who run regular trips to these regions including guided walks around the best areas.

The Alps

The Alps are a bastion of all outdoors activities. During the winter months, the Alps are well-known as a top skiing destination, but when the snow melts, the steep slopes and rugged mountains become gorgeous places to go hiking.

The low lying alpine regions can easily be visited without a guide, but inexperienced walkers are advised to consider guided walks if they wish to venture higher. The highest peaks should not be attempted without considerable walking experience and outdoors skills. There is also the opportunity to “walk” using Via Ferrata routes, such as that in the Italian mountain region. Walkers on these routes are forced to clip themselves onto thick metal cables to enable them to traverse more difficult sections of the path.

The Alps region is very well-equipped for walkers and there are hundreds of huts, cabins and chalets which are specifically designed for walkers to stop at for a night’s basic accommodation. There are also a wide range of different campsites, from totally basic pitches through to luxury camping resorts.

Iceland – The Hot Springs Route

The landscape of Iceland cannot be compared to any other landscape in Europe. It is so varied that it is regularly chosen by filmmakers as a stand-in for other worlds. Once you start to explore the Icelandic wilderness, you will quickly come to realise why the country is known as the Land of Fire and Ice. The whole country has been shaped by the ice that regularly covers the land and by the geothermal activities that occur below the surface.

During the summer months, most areas of Iceland are accessible by solo walkers; however some areas do require an additional fee or a guide due to the geothermal activities in the vicinity. A guide will help to ensure that you see the best sites whilst ensuring that you stay safe. They will also be able to speak to you about the fascinating mythology of the area, ranging from trolls to the queen of the elves.

Path of Peace in the Balkans

The Peaks of the Balkans trail is a wonderful example of a path of peace in the Balkans region. The area was torn apart by war in the 1990’s, and this trail has since come to represent the peaceful relationships that the countries are now beginning to foster. The trail winds through high crags and low foothills, and enters Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro. It offers a far more raw experience than that which is offered by alternative long distance trails in Western Europe.

Individual walkers are advised to break down the walk into individual sections and tackle stages separately, because the border crossing procedure can be overly bureaucratic for those who want to cross in the mountains. Some sections of the trail are graded as high level of difficulty and should only be attempted with a guide unless you have considerable outdoor experience.

GR20 – Corsica

The GR20 is one of the toughest long distance routes is France, but it is ideal for those who are looking for a challenge. The trail covers the whole length of the island and takes around 2 weeks to complete. Although it is only 105 miles long, there are a number of steep inclines and sections that require some scrambling. The higher altitude sections of the walk are not for the faint-hearted.

Accommodation along the route is a mixture of camping and guest houses, although you may have to go off route slightly to find the latter. The trail can get to over 40 degrees during the summer months, so take plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

Alsace Wine Trail

The Alsace wine region in France is known for its wonderful mix of fine wines and good food. Combine your love of walking with the opportunity to visit some of the best producers in the country.

Most of the walking in this area is easy and traverses through pleasant vineyard areas and beautiful rolling countryside. Individuals are able to choose their own routes around the region, but the local tourist information bureau should be able to provide you with information about the most popular vineyards and accommodation options in the area. Take care if you decide to head back out into the countryside after you have consumed wine and avoid walking straight after eating a heavy meal. Take plenty of water with you so that you can avoid the dehydrating effects of alcohol.