Hiking Safety Guidelines
Even easy trails can turn dangerous if you get injured, lost, or caught in bad weather. Stay prepared:
- Hike in groups of four or more – pace yourself according to the slowest person. Never hike alone.
- Use a guide or join an organised group if you don’t know the area.
- Avoid relying on Google Maps – it can direct you to unsafe or incorrect paths. Carry a proper hiking map (e.g. Slingsby) and plan your route beforehand.
- Save emergency numbers for each hike in your phone, but don’t rely on cell signal – it’s patchy on the mountain.
- Do not leave valuables in your car – some parking areas are targeted for break-ins.
Essential gear:
- Sufficient water and snacks
- Sunhat and sunblock
- Warm clothing – the weather can change fast
- Fully charged phone with emergency contacts
- Physical map(s)
Before you go:
- Check trail status – some close temporarily after floods or fires.
- Check the weather report. Do not attempt to hike in cloudy or misty weather, as it becomes disorientating and more difficult to find your way.
- Consider using @safetymountain – a free WhatsApp-based safety tracking service. It lets you log your route, estimated time, and updates during your hike, and confirm when you’re safely off the mountain.
