Hiking Tips for Mountain Walking You Won't Have Heard Before

"Are there any hiking tips that help mountain walkers?"

Yes, we have some great little tips for mountain walking that when used together really do add up. Several of these are gems that hopefully you won't have heard before and will help you maintain your energy levels. You'll be like the Energiser bunny and will be able to 'keep going for longer'.

Uphill Hiking Tips

1. Take small steps going uphill
   Purposely taking shorter steps than usual will reduce the effort per step to push your body and pack weight upwards and will make the ascent easier.

2. Look several footsteps ahead
   Especially when ascending, look several footsteps ahead to choose the best route i.e. you won’t to avoid large steps up onto big rocks / boulders and choose smaller steps up and around them. This cuts down on the number of lunge-up type steps (and over stretches) and the big one-off energy expenditures that can quickly cause tiredness.

3. Zigzag up steep ascents
   Taking a zigzag route up reduces the gradient you are hiking and makes it easier. However it has a downside of adding distance, so best kept for steep ascents as required.

4. Use Trekking Pole uphill technique
   There are several uphill pole techniques that work fantastically and are easy. If you have poles we describe this in the Uphill section of Techniques for Using Trekking Poles.

5. Use your hands
   Get your hands dirty by using surrounding rocks and boulders to help you stay balanced and secure on steep ascents.

6. Take energy snacks and water more frequently
   Your body will burn more energy than on any other part of the hike. So supply fuel shortly before reaching the uphill section; such as energy bars, fruit, dried fruit, nuts, etc. Keep some of these handy to snack on during the climb too. Keep hydrated with regular sips of water to replace water lost through perspiration.
   
   

Downhill Hiking Tips

1. Kick your heels in
   When going downhill, slow down by leaning back a little and putting your weight down through your heel on each step.

2. Use zigzag routes to slow the pace down

3. Use trekking poles to reduce pressure, wear and tiredness of your knees and legs
   Poles also benefit by reducing the tiredness and pressure on your whole body as you progress downhill.

4. Use Trekking Pole downhill technique
   Poles will give you extra control of your speed and balance. If you have poles we describe this in the Downhill section of Techniques for Using Trekking Poles.
   
   

General Hiking Tips

1. Do warm-up and cool-down exercises
   Warming up properly before mountain hiking will reduce muscle stiffness and damage. Cooling down exercises will remove lactic acid that causes muscle cramps and help to prevent muscle soreness that can occur a day or two afterwards. For more information see Fitness Training Plans.

2. Build and maintain your fitness levels
   You need to build and maintain your stamina and muscle strength for mountain hiking. See our Fitness Training section.

3. Read our Favourite Hiking Quotes by Famous Individuals Including Barack Obama and John Muir
   Even see what Arnold Schwarzeneggar had to say about hiking!
   
   

We hope you have found these mountain hiking tips useful. Try them on one of your regular mountain hikes and see how much quicker you complete it and how much better you feel afterwards.


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