How to start hill walking

Mountain weather can change very quickly with sunshine and blue skies giving way to torrential rain and mist. General weather apps often don’t account for changing conditions in the mountains. Forecasts designed specifically for hill and mountain users are available for popular areas and can be accessed online at the Mountain Weather Information Service and the Met Office. Some local shops and tourist information centres in the area you are visiting may also display the forecast for the day.

It is important to consider the length, elevation and terrain of your walk which will all contribute to the time it takes to complete. You can read our Map Basics advice for more information on relating distance on the map to the ground. Factor in time for breaks, and the walking pace of everyone in your group. Don’t be afraid to be generous with the amount of stops you make. You might consider stopping after a steep climb for example, or at a viewpoint. On beautiful days it can be amazing to have lunch at the top of the hill, but be aware that wind and rain at the summit can be a lot stronger than lower down, so you might want to choose a more sheltered spot when the weather isn’t so nice.

If you feel you are getting tired or out of your depth, are encountering worse weather than expected, or simply running out of time, then it’s no failure to turn around or to find the quickest and easiest route down the mountain. Being flexible and using your judgement is a key skill and can help to keep you happy and safe in the hills.

Lots of great routes can be found online and in guidebooks. Take a look at the area on your map and spot any places you might wish to incorporate into your walk; a pub or a café, for example, a wild swimming spot, a waterfall, stone circle or a viewpoint. Get creative and tailor the day to you! Guidebooks are a great way to plan your day, as they provide information on transport, route descriptions, difficulty levels, and a sense of what to expect. Good ranges to start with are Cicerone, Collins Ramblers or Trailblazer. There are also lots of websites providing route information but be aware that not all information online is reliable.

Once you know where you want to go you can plot your route onto the map. You might like to circle key spots on the map, draw a line along the paths you are taking with a pencil, or use an app like OS Maps which has a plotting tool built in. Apps also allow you to see elevation, and walking distance. Be aware however, that the time estimates for walks made through the app aren’t always accurate and it is good to have an idea of how long you and your group take to walk, especially along uphill stretches.

Assisting lost walkers is one of the most common reasons for mountain rescue call-outs. Whilst technology like GPS and phones can help you know where you are, they can’t make route choices for you. Being able to use a map and compass is a key skill, but as with all techniques it requires practice.

Get up to speed with key navigation skills.

If you are a complete beginner it is always a good idea to practice navigation in lowland areas first and move on to bigger challenges as you gain confidence. You may also choose to seek help from someone whether it be a friend, club member, group leader or training provider.

Remember that a forecast is only a prediction, so your clothing needs to be versatile, providing protection from the wind and rain. On hot days use sunscreen, long sleeves and a wide brimmed hat to protect from heatstroke. After the sun sets, far away from towns and streetlights, it will be very dark in the mountains. Mountain rescue teams are often called out to assist walkers stranded in the dark who would have been able to walk off themselves if they had remembered to pack a torch, so always bring one along.