Safety First
# Pack Right
Even on short hikes you don’t want to be left high and dry (or wet and cold). Make sure you have weather appropriate clothing, a backup map for navigation, food, water and toiletries. If you are heading up a mountain or a particularly vast stretch of countryside, it’s always wise to have emergency shelter in the form of a lightweight tube tent (bivvy bag) and a sleeping bag. It's also wise to pack sun cream, even if it’s not that warm outside. If you are exposed to the sun all day, particularly at altitude, you can end up burnt.
# Plan Right
On a lighter note, many hiking routes are going to be littered with B&Bs, pubs, museums, historic sites and of course, other hikers. This doesn’t mean it’s unnecessary to take the emergency essentials, but it does mean you can have lots of fun planning your route. Before your trip take some time to check out where you’re going to stop off along the way - ‘ok Google’. You can also ponder over whether you’re going to cook amongst the elements, or pop into a quaint pub for a roast dinner and a pint of ale or a glass of red. But, always pack snacks and some emergency grub.
# Hike Right
Don’t attempt the full route of the Pennine Way for your first hike, it’s not going to work. Take things at a slow pace and build up your routes, as well as the altitude and weather conditions you are undertaking. This is going to provide more of a rewarding hiking trajectory as you move from pathed countryside and woodland trails to more challenging mountain routes. Most importantly, leave no trace. This means that when hiking and camping amongst mother nature, leave her as you found her. Take a spare bin bag or two in your backpack so you can take any rubbish left over from your trip.
