Ultimate guide to hiking safety

Hiking is great exercise, an enjoyable way to discover new places, and perfect for getting out of your comfort zone. And in Australia, we are blessed with some incredible hiking options - from overnight hiking on the Overland Track in Tasmania, stunning day-long hikes in the Blue Mountains, or visiting sacred Indigenous sites on the NT's Larapinta Trail.

It can also, however, be a rather dangerous activity if you head off on a hike without being properly prepared and taking appropriate precautions. Following best practise for hiking safety is vital in ensuring everyone returns from your hike happy and healthy, so we've put together a few tips to help make the experience as safe as possible.

One of the most common hiking safety tips you'll hear is to plan ahead. Unfortunately, many people won't elaborate on this, which can leave beginners wondering where to start. We believe the below steps are some of the most important, but remember that preparation looks different for everyone based on your needs and destination.

Hiking trails in Australia are ranked in difficulty on a scale of AS1 to AS5. As the number increases, theoretically, so does the difficulty. In practice, however, hikes are going to provide different issues depending on your personal hiking ability and needs. In other words, while most people can happily make their way along AS1 and AS2 tracks without issue, use discretion with those which have higher ratings. We also suggest avoiding AS5 tracks completely unless you're an experienced hiker, as they tend not to be marked and often require more complex navigation and movements.

Speaking of your destination, the first thing you need to do is research it. While Australia has plenty of beginner-friendly hiking destinations, we've also got some that will challenge even the most experienced hikers, and you don't accidentally want to end up somewhere that's above your pay grade.

While there are plenty of hikes that are suitable for all fitness levels, some require a bit of extra effort to complete. For this reason, we suggest always checking what obstacles you may run into on your hike (climbing, scrambling, etc.) before committing.

The saying that there's safety in numbers definitely applies to hiking. It's far easier to get lost when hiking alone, but you also run the risk of running into issues if you lose your companions while out on the trail. It's always best to stick close together when hiking in a group, and never take a turn or different path if not everyone is present. Plan ahead to ensure that this is possible, and make sure no one is left behind.

Before heading off on any hike it's important to let someone who isn't coming along know where you're going and how long you'll be gone. This means help can be alerted quickly if you don't return and will help prevent you from panicking if you end up in a not-so-favourable situation.

Be realistic about how long you think it will take you to complete the hike, and time it accordingly. Set out nice and early and make sure you arrive back before sunset. Hiking in the dark is a sure-fire way to get lost and disorientated, especially if you're not an experienced hiker. Plus, depending where you are and what time of year it is, sunset can also bring plummeting temperatures.

Just like the above, it's important to time your hike to the weather, too. If it's going to be a really hot day, then avoid hiking in the afternoon when daytime temperatures are at their hottest. Extreme heat can lead to dehydration, sunstroke, overheating and sunburn.

While dedicated hiking boots and shoes are available and designed specifically to improve hiking safety, there is no one size fits all solution. We believe that as long as your shoes provide proper support and are comfortable enough to wear for the duration of your hike, you should go with whichever footwear option best suits you and your needs.

We can survive for a long time without food, but chances of survival without water are slim. Always pack more water than you need in case something goes wrong. We suggest taking as much as you can carry, but the amount that you need will vary from person to person, as well as how strenuous the hike is, and how hot it's going to get.

It's always better to be safe than sorry, so we suggest bringing along any medication that can't be missed so you've got your dose for the day available when you need it.

Scrapes, cuts and sprained ankles are some of the most common risks when hiking. A first aid kit can help with all three, so we suggest bringing one along.

This may seem over the top, but we also suggest bringing a change of clothes and a raincoat. They'll be incredibly valuable if you get lost or stuck and it's always nice to be able to stay dry if it rains.

Vital for night hiking (or overnight hybrid camping trips) torches should also be taken on day trips in case you end up in a particularly well-covered area or find yourself out later than you expected to.

Even if you think you know your way around well, it's always wise to bring a map and compass. If there's a visitor hub at the area you'll be hiking in, we suggest getting your map from there so you've got the most up to date information.

Finally, even if you don't intend on making a fire, it's always good to have the ability to do so. For this reason, we suggest bringing a lighter or pack of matches on your hike with you.

You don't want to be out in the elements, especially if a storm has blown in, so your top priority when lost or stranded should be finding shelter. From here you can take steps to increase your chances of rescue while having a safe base of operations. Remember though, don't ever stand under a lone tree during an electrical storm.

Designed to keep you both warm and dry, thermal emergency blankets are versatile tools that should be in every hiking kit. Useful for reflecting light, collecting water and even cooking in hot weather, an emergency blanket is going to be your best friend in the event something goes wrong.

This pack of six emergency thermal blankets might look like something a TV dinner comes in, but they're ideal for taking with you when you're hiking or camping. They work by retaining your body heat to keep you warm, and can withstand harsh weather conditions. Plus, they pack up nice and small, so they don't take up too much room in your hiking bag.

If you're just a little lost, or if there's a good chance that someone is nearby to help you if you've become injured or stuck, a standard whistle can become a life-saving device. The piercing sound these things make is hard to miss, and most hikers understand that it's a sign of distress, so your whistle can bring help a lot faster than calling out or trying to find emergency coverage on your mobile.

If you can't get service to call for help and are lost or dealing with weather that makes it unsafe either to continue or wait the situation out, it's time to make use of your Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). These life-saving devices can be rented or borrowed from local park offices or police stations, but should only be used as a last resort, as you're going to be found a lot more quickly if you can give exact information to emergency services over the phone.

Australia is home to many beautiful animals, big and small, and when we go hiking in nature we are sharing the outdoors with them. It's important that if you do encounter any wildlife, that you respect them and give them plenty of space.

Read up on the types of wildlife you might encounter on your walk so you're prepared and know what to do if you come across one.

When sitting down for a snack break, always check the rock or log you're sitting on for spiders or other creepy crawlies, and remember that snakes are often basking in the sun on paths or rocks when the weather is warm.

And remember, don't ever feed or touch wild animals.

Hiking is a fantastic way to stay fit and get out and about, but safety precautions are necessary. Follow the tips in this article to keep your hiking safety as optimal as possible, and enjoy your adventure!