If you don’t plan, you run the risk. Incorrect assessments and a lack of preparation often lead to problems when hiking. Outdoor experts reveal how to do it right, what you need to look out for on hiking signs, and why folding maps are still useful. Once you reach your destination, we recommend that you enjoy the wonderful view and Azurslot.
Finally out again! Rising temperatures and longer days herald the start of the hiking season. Good planning is half the battle to ensure that nothing goes wrong when you’re out in nature. We asked two trekking experts how they plan their tours and what should not be missing in their rucksacks.
How do I plan the tour correctly? Use the 3×3 model
Mountain specialist Stefan Winter from the German Alpine Club recommends the 3×3 model. It consists of three phases:
- Planning at home a few days before the tour
- Assessment on-site before the start of the tour
- Assessment en route during the tour
There are also three factors:
- Conditions (weather and condition of the paths)
- Terrain (difficulty and danger spots)
- People (fitness and group dynamics)
In each of the three phases, tourers check all three factors – this results in a grid of nine fields (3×3) in order to recognize potential dangers and take countermeasures in good time. “We also talk about rolling tour planning. It never really stops,” says Winter.
When choosing a tour, the expert advises taking a two-pronged approach. In other words, don’t just rely on one source – especially if you find the tour on an online portal where users can create their posts. In the past, there have been repeated cases of tours being described as supposedly easy, and hikers no longer coming down the mountain alone. After all, a “leisurely after-work tour” is not the same for everyone.
Which routes are realistically achievable?
That depends on experience and fitness. “If you are healthy, exercise regularly, and are not older than 60, you should easily manage 300 meters of ascent per hour,” says Winter. For such people, he considers a day tour of between 900 and 1,200 meters of ascent to be easily doable – including breaks, lingering at the summit, and the equally long descent.
Direct paths that climb very steeply are often more difficult, but tend to be faster and more strenuous. On paths with a lower gradient, the total distance for the same number of meters in altitude is considerably longer, and therefore usually also the hiking time.
It is always advisable to have exit points. This is especially true if you are hiking in larger groups or with children. “If there is only one route, this restricts the scope for action,” says Winter. “It is advisable to have alternatives so that you can shorten the route if necessary or break off the hike early.”
Does the time information on hiking signs help?
4.5 hours to the summit, 2.5 hours to the hut: time information can be found on many signposts in hiking areas. “They are a rough guide,” says Boris Gnielka from the specialist magazine Outdoor. But he wouldn’t rely on them completely, especially as different standards can be applied from region to region.
It is important to know the route: How many kilometers? How many meters in altitude? What level of difficulty? And to have an idea of what you are capable of. A realistic self-assessment is essential.
