8 Winter Hiking Safety Tips For The Cold-Weather Adventurer

Hiking during the winter is great fun, however it does come with its own set of hazards. Colder temperatures and adverse weather such as snow and ice can all make winter hiking more challenging, but also more hazardous. In order to keep yourself safe (and warm!) on your next adventure, be sure to consider the following winter hiking safety tips:

Check The Weather

One of the most important winter hiking safety tips to remember is to check the weather before you head out. It’s important to check the weather forecast in detail in order to plan your trip accordingly, and to make sure that you know what gear you need to bring. Where possible, you should aim to hike on days when the weather is dry and when there is good visibility. Ice, snow and heavy rainfall will make conditions more hazardous, and so where possible, it’s always best to avoid hiking in these weather conditions.

Set Off Early & Give Yourself Enough Time

During the winter, you’ve got less hours of daylight to complete your hike and so it’s essential to bear this in mind when planning your trip. Setting off early is a really important winter hiking safety tip as this will give you the time you need to complete your trip before you lose visibility. It’s also a sensible winter hiking safety tip to consider shortening your usual routes in cold weather. Adverse weather conditions can slow you down, making a regular hike a lot more challenging than usual. Bring a torch with you, just in case you are delayed and end up completing your hike in low light conditions.