Planning a hiking itinerary is all about thinking honestly about what you want to experience and what you're prepared to achieve. The watchword? Respect your limits and adopt a progress-oriented mindset. What's more, if you're hiking as part of a group, you need to make sure you respect every member of the team, so that the experience is a positive one for everyone.
Before choosing a trail, several factors come into play: the type of terrain, the distance to be covered, the time available and the desired level of difficulty. Good planning helps to avoid unforeseen sections, such as an excessively steep gradient or a trail that's more technical than expected. It takes into account the return journey, weather conditions, water points and possible access routes. Whether your aim is to recharge your batteries, challenge yourself or simply discover a new place, carefully preparing your itinerary helps to make the experience more enjoyable and safer.
The intensity you want for your ride will set the tone for the rest of the experience. So ask yourself a few questions to get a better idea of what you want:
Think about how many hours you want to spend on the trail. Is it a few hours or several days? Always keep in mind that the objective is not to get from one point to another, but to be able to return to the starting point, whether it's a loop or a round trip.
Establishing the maximum number of kilometers for a hike is closely linked to its duration. Depending on your pace, level of fitness and physical condition, the time required to complete the kilometers will vary from person to person. In the spirit of progression, aim for a reasonable number of kilometers that will leave you with a positive experience.
Physical condition refers as much to fitness as to level of fatigue and limitations due to injury or particular health conditions. In all cases, physical condition must be taken into account when determining the number of kilometers, duration and elevation gain of the hike to be planned.
No, little or a lot of experience? There's no need to take on a hike beyond your abilities and experience level. Here are some examples of what a hike might look like, depending on your level of experience.
The famous vertical drop: there's something for everyone, from 0 to 1500 metres and more! A hike can just as easily take place on a trail with a very low gradient as on an ascent trail leading to the top of a mountain. Opt for a positive gradient that is adapted to your physical and mental condition and level of experience.
Setting a hiking goal is a good indicator of the type of route that will fulfill you. Here are a few inspirational goals:
Researching information is an essential step in planning a hike and being able to deal with unforeseen circumstances. It's useful to know the length of the trail, the elevation gain, the level of difficulty and the estimated duration. Current conditions, such as weather, trail conditions or possible closures, can be checked on official websites or with hiking communities. A few questions can guide your preparation:
Once you've identified your needs and carried out thorough research, you can decide on a particular itinerary that meets all your requirements. Depending on the itinerary, you'll be able to draw up a list of necessary equipment, food and hydration. It's also essential to download the route map and study it to get to know the territory.
A few basic precautions can greatly improve the safety of a hike. Before setting off, it's a good idea to tell someone close to you about your planned itinerary, departure time and approximate return time. As cell phone coverage is often limited in the wilderness, it's important to find out whether it's available or not. Also, bringing a paper map, GPS or offline navigation app helps you stay on the right trail. Making sure the trail is well marked and knowing the important landmarks reduces the risk of getting lost. An emergency beacon or satellite communication device can also be considered for remote areas.
Be sure to check the latest weather forecast and pack appropriate clothing, adequate water and a complete first-aid kit before you go. It's better to plan more than less: a well-thought-out plan allows you to enjoy the outdoors with confidence. To help you prepare your backpack, see our article What to pack in a day-hiking backpack.
Taking the time to reflect on what went well and what could be improved is a step that is often overlooked, but one that will help you plan your next outing. Once back on the trail, it's a good idea to reflect on what went well and what could be improved:
Noting these observations helps you to better understand your limits, adjust your objectives and anticipate your real needs for future hikes. Simple, honest introspection helps to build confidence and enrich every wilderness experience.
