In a bid to help you avoid the same mistakes, Living360’s content editor Priya Raj shares everything she got wrong on her first hiking experience.
Until last week, I’d never been on a proper hike. I’m reluctant to admit it — as everyone seems to adore hiking these days — but the idea of a really long walk hadn’t piqued my interest much.
However, in a bid to do something outside of my comfort zone over the Easter bank holiday weekend, I hopped on a train from London Victoria to Seaford, determined to take on the famous Seven Sisters Cliffs Walk.
For a seasoned hiker, this walk may be a piece of cake. Yet, for those like me who fill their weekends with reformer Pilates and gentle strolls, it’s a pretty good starting point. Here’s my entirely honest — and slightly embarrassing — guide to preparing for your first hike.
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How to prepare for your first hike
Fuel with actual food
This may sound obvious, but if you’re anything like me, you may forget to consider how much energy you’ll need when preparing your breakfast.
The hike I did at Seven Sisters was around 14 miles long and took over six hours, so fuelling with a breakfast of Coco Pops like I did just won’t cut it.
Pick the right hike
Luckily, I vary my fitness regime with Pilates, weight-training and lots of walking, so I felt fairly prepared for the terrain along the Seven Sisters route, but some hikes can be extremely tough on the knees.
I’d recommend making sure that you match your hike with your fitness level — and, believe me, there’s a hike for everyone!
Check the weather conditions
If you have a windbreaker that you can roll up and keep in your backpack, do take it. That said, consider everything you’re packing carefully — after a few hours of hiking, you’ll really feel every bit of weight on your back.
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What to bring for your first hike
My new motto is that it’s better to overprepare than underprepare.
It wasn’t until my seasoned hiking companion asked what food I’d brought that I went into full-blown panic mode, as the realisation dawned on me that my backpack was devoid of snacks. Luckily, she had enough for both of us.
I watched as some hikers stopped to enjoy a packed lunch, while others nipped into a pub or cafe along the way for refreshments. While I too indulged in a pitstop, it’s not always guaranteed that there will be anywhere to sit for a bite to eat, so overprepare with water, snacks and electrolytes.
What to wear when hiking
I went wrong before I even began the hike.
My Adidas trainers were initially fine, but going downhill was particularly toe-crushing.
This — I learned — is why people often size down when buying hiking boots, as minimal movement in the shoe is the goal.
I found wearing sports socks versus trainer socks to be effective; it decreased any foot movement within the shoe.
As for the rest of your outfit, it depends on the weather, but if you have limited kit, stick to activewear.
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Top three beginner hiking routes near London
London is packed with hikes, with something to suit everyone.
To explore the different options, AllTrails is a useful app. It gives you the best route for each hike, showing how difficult it is and where you’ll experience more elevation.
It also allows you to download maps ahead of time, in case you lose service along the route, which can happen in more remote areas.
Seven Sisters, East Sussex
My first hike — the Seven Sisters Cliff Walk along the coast in East Sussex — has such fantastic views you almost forget how badly your legs are aching.
It boasts a series of hilly cliffs — seven to be exact — which means seven inclines and declines, with the last being the steepest.
It’s a long hike, so it’s best to start in the morning before ending in Eastbourne and refuelling with fish and chips while looking to the sea.
Box Hill, Surrey
For a more challenging option, get the train from Waterloo to Box Hill & Westhumble. Box Hill is an eight-mile circular route that has a steep climb, so is fairly challenging.
However, there are shorter routes to opt for, so you can break the hike up into more manageable sections if you’re a beginner.
It also passes by several pubs and cafes, so you can stop off for a drink or lunch.
The Regents Park & Primrose Hill Circular
It’s possible to do a green hike in central London without getting on a train at all.
This four-mile route loops through scenic Regent’s Park and up to Primrose Hill for views across the capital. Stop for a pub lunch or picnic before making your way back through Regent’s Park and end at Baker Street, where you can easily catch the tube or train home from the surrounding stations.
There are numerous toilet facilities along the way, as well as a few stops within the parks for refreshments, making it perfect for a first hike.
Feature image: Pexels
