Learn · Starting out
New to hillwalking? Start here
Hillwalking needs less kit and less fitness than people think, and a bit more planning. Six steps, each with something to read and something to do.
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Pick an easy first walk
Choose something short on a clear path: under 8 km, little climbing, graded Easy. The aim is a good day, not a summit.
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Get the few things you need
You don't need much: waterproofs, a warm layer, shoes with grip, food, water and a way to find your way. Borrow before you buy.
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Plan the day
Check how long it will take, when it gets dark and what the weather is doing on the tops. Tell someone where you are going.
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Learn to read the map
Follow the route on a paper map as you walk, even when the path is obvious. It is the easiest way to learn, and the skill everything else rests on.
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Know what to do if it goes wrong
Five minutes now: how to call mountain rescue, what to tell them, and what the six whistle blasts mean.
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Step up to a first hill
When easy walks feel easy, try a hill with a path to the top and under 500 m of climbing. Then keep a log: it is surprising how fast the list grows.
