2. INTRODUCTION
HIKING is an outdoor activity
which consists of walking in
natural environments, often on
hiking trails or paths.
The health benefits of different
types of hiking have been
confirmed in studies. The word
hiking is understood in all
English speaking countries, but
there are differences in usage.
3. THE PATH AND ITS SIGNPOSTING
A path must go
across the
valley, towns,
hills,…
looking for the
best way and
visiting
interesting places
about their
culture, history,
landscape…
Flecha
Jalón
4. KIND OF PATHS
DEPENDING ON THE LENGTH:
Long-distance routes (LD)
They run for more than 50 Km.
They are sign-posted with red and white signs
Short-distance routes (SD)
They are from 10 to 50 km. Long.
They are sign-posted with yellow and white signs
Local routes
No more than 10 km.
They are sign-posted with green and white signs.
City routes
They are routes in the city.
They are sign-posted with red and yellow signs.
5. EQUIPMENT – SHOES
Boots are the most important part of the
required equipment.
We must walk on grounds, different from
our streets or roads, with stones,
branches, water or animals.
they should provide adequate protection
against possible sprains, knocks and
slippage.
The boots must protect your ankle.
The sole must have a good marked
drawing.
Their laces must be perfectly tied.
Don´t wear your boots for the first time
on a hike. You must first try them on
shorter walks.
6. EQUIPMENT – SHOES
USEFUL ADVICE:
• Shoes must be comfortable and must be an insulator.
• Don’t wear new boots for hiking.
• Tie the laces from the botton to the top.
• Checkthem in a few minutes when your feet have
expanded.
• You can wear the laces looser when you go up but very
well-tied when you go down.
7. EQUIPMENT- CLOTHES
USEFUL ADVICE:
• Your clothes must be lightweight and permit air flow.
• If there is a lot of vegetation , especially thicket ,you
must protect your arms and legs.
• In the mountain the weather changes quickly so you
must wear some clothes to keep you warm.
• Gore-Tex, one of the most innovative breakthroughs
in clothing technology, can be found in many of the
top brands of outdoor gear.
• Gore-Tex is great provided you don't have to wear it
during the summer when a summer thundershower
lasts but a few moments. You will don the jacket, hike
for a few minutes and start tugging at the 'pit zips' as
the sweat starts pouring out. Trying to regulate your
body temperature when wearing full rain gear is not
always that easy.
9. EQUIPMENT- CLOTHES
• But as is often the case in the mountains, foul
weather means significant drops in temperatures
and therefore, a fully waterproof shell should be a
mandatory part of your gear.
• In the end, it is up to you as to how much you
would like to spend on equipment. If your budget
allows it, Gore-Tex is a fabulous piece of kit to
have with you and that flash jacket will also look
good in town or to the office.
10. EQUIPMENT-
BACKPACK
• The backpack
increases the effort
we need to walk.
• We feel its weight on
our legs and on our
back to. its size must
be appropiate to your
back.
• You must regulate to
put the most of the
weight on your hips.
11. HOW TO PREPARE THE BACKPACK
USEFUL ADVICES:
• Generally, try to put big and light things in the botton
and the heviest in the top, near your back. Then its
centre of gravity will be between your shoulders
• Put the loadin a symmetrical way (left and right) for
not to overload one side of your back.
• Don´t put any thing failed (water botle, shoes…)
they can unbalance you because of their
movement or they can catch on somewhere,
specially
branches.
12. EQUIPMENT- STICKS
They are not necessary
but they can help you to
keep balanced
USEFUL ADVICES:
• You can make it
yourself.
• Only one is sufficent.
• If you have a knee
pain they can be
useful.
14. BASIC RULES OF BEHAVIOUR
IN THE COUNTRYSIDE
Avoid making any unnecessary noise
A photograph is much better than taking the
photographed object away with you (flowers, insects,
fossils, etc.)
Avoid littering and take along rubbish bags instead
Make sure that the inhabitants of the rural district
you are visiting do not regret your presence:
●
1. Close gates after you
2. Do not trespass on private
property
3. If you have a dog keep it away
from the cattle
15. ADVICE TO CARRY OUT HIKING
• Get information about the relief, the ground, the climate,
temperatures, wildlife and the type of vegetation.
• Make sure there is drinking water on the way. Carry it with
you if there isn’t.
• Choose appropriate clothes, don’t take either too many or too
few clothes.
• Never walk alone, you can get lost or hurt, moreover, it’s funnier
and safer to go with somebody. The slowest person must go first.
• Walk at a uniform speed, try not to go too fast at the beginning.
• Stop every now and then, you should make a stop of 5 or 10
min every 45 min. You can drink some water (not much) and eat
some nuts or chocolate to get energy.
• Respect the zones, don’t leave paths and you won’t damage
nature. Don’t pull branches from trees or bushes. Don’t shout.
• Don’t throw rubbish, keep it with you till you find the
appropriate container.
