Hiking Rules and Hiking Hints

Planning the hike

A hiking map is necessary for planning a hike and for orientation during the hike. Panorama maps as well as survey maps in leaflets or booklets are no proper hiking maps because they are not precise enough. The scale of hiking maps is usually 1:25000 or 1:50000.

Take your fitness, hiking experience and time of year into account, when you plan the hike. If you are hiking in an unknown area, then consult a guide book. The hikes in a guide book are classified according to their difficulty and also walking distances are given.

You should also get the latest weather forecast, the openening times of mountain huts on your way and the condition of the hiking paths.

You will also need the right alpine equipment because a change of weather from good to bad may occur anytime and very quick. Pay also attention to your footwear and wear a pair of hiking boots (note that sport and running shoes are no proper footwear for hiking).

Tips for the hiking equipment

A rucksack with a capacity of approx. 35 l should be sufficient for one day hikes. You should put at least the following equipment on your packing list:

• mountain- or trekking trousers and shorts
• T-Shirt with long and T-Shirt with short sleeves (ideal: made from Transtex) to change
• cap and possibly a bandana (as a sun protection for your neck)
• hiking socks
• fleece jacket or warm pullover, gloves and warm cap: the weather in the mountains can change quickly and turn cold and rainy even in summer.
• mountain jacket (ideal: made from Goretex)
• hiking boots (no sport shoes!)
• sun cream
• tissues and toilet paper
• pocket lamp (ideal: headlamp)
• swiss army knife
• first aid kit (possibly drugs you need)
• bottle(s) for 1,5 - 2 l liquid (easiest: PET-bottle(s))
• snack box
• hiking map and possibly a guide book
• sewing kit and possibly adhesive tape (Leukoplast) and some cord
• camera and possibly cell phone

We think that a bivouac bag should also be in your rucksack. It is not only an emergency accommodation but can also be used to protect an injured person from rain and cold.

Many people also use hiking sticks. There are pros and cons for doing that. Pro: your knees will get relieved when walking downhill. Contra: your sense of balance for walking on mountain trails will deteriorate.

For hikes which last more than a day you will need a larger rucksack (approx. 45 - 50 l). You will need to pack more clothes to change and personal things like underwear, tooth brush and towel in your rucksack. Furthermore it may be necessary to bring shoes and a sleeping bag for mountain huts with you, if you are going to stay overnight in a mountain hut.

If you are hiking in winter additional equipment may be necessary (like thermos bottle, avalanche shovel, etc.)

During the hike

Pace yourself well for the day. It is better to walk continuos at a constant slower pace than to start fast and become exhausted early.

It is important that you drink in regularly intervals, especially on hot days. Water is best. We recommend to avoid beverages which contain sugar because of the negative effect on your blood sugar level. Instead of water you may use carbohydrate drinks charged with minerals, as used in endurance sports (pay attention that mostly long chained carbohydrates are contained).

Protect the alpine flora and stay on the marked trails. Also avoid unnecessary noise, which threatens the animals living in the mountains. Enjoy the peace of nature.

Note that all alpine plants are protected and it is strictly forbidden to pick them. Further notice that in italy collecting mushrooms is also strictly regularized and violations are punished with considerable fines

Keep the landscape tidy and take your waste back down.

Disclaimer

Due to the nature of the information on our website we do not take any responsibility for the correctness and completeness of the information. But we try our best to offer correct statements and verify the information.