How do you choose and plan a trekking itinerary?

January 10, 2024, edited by Cecilia Mariani

What is the first thing to do to plan a hike? Choosing an itinerary is definitely at the top of the list. There are endless possibilities and destinations to discover. So how do you choose the right one? In this article, I will give you some tips on how to make the best decision for any occasion and what to consider.

Internet vs. paper guides

We can use various resources to choose a trekking route. Today, the internet is full of reports written by alpine clubs, guides, and hikers of varying experience levels. These reports may be well or poorly made. Some are highly accurate, while others are less precise, so it is up to us to verify the information and assess its reliability. What should we look for in a report? First, an accurate and detailed route description, ideally accompanied by photographs of key sections. In addition to the description, it is useful to have data such as the route length, the positive and negative elevation gain, the maximum altitude reached, the presence or absence of shelters along the route, directions to the starting point, and any seasonal closures. We must then be able to assess all this information in relation to our abilities, but we will discuss this later.

Map vs. app

Once you have found a report on the route you are interested in, it is useful to transfer it onto a map, whether paper or digital, to get a clearer picture of the trekking route you will be taking. This is exactly what a map helps us do: reproduce the physical terrain we will cross and, with a little practice, interpret it to get a fairly detailed idea of what we will see. Maps show trails, differentiated by type and marked with their corresponding number or name (at least in the Alps). They also show roads, towns, mountain huts, and other buildings we may encounter in the mountains. Rivers, streams, lakes, forests, and open spaces are also shown. So far, everything is fairly straightforward. Contour lines are also shown, representing both positive and negative elevation changes. By following our route, we can see which direction it takes across the contour lines and thus understand whether we will be walking uphill or downhill. It is even possible to determine how steep a slope is by looking at the contour lines. In short, a map makes the description feel more real and allows us to visualize the route. Together, they are a great help during the planning phase. There are also many tracking apps on which you can download maps of the area you are interested in, find routes and .gpx tracks already uploaded by other users and follow them, or track your own route. The most popular apps are Outdooractive, Komoot, Wikiloc, and Fatmap—I could go on forever. I recommend finding two or three that you trust, learning how to use them properly, and sticking with them. The great thing about these apps is that we can use them directly in the field, not just during the planning phase. Be aware, however, that most do not work without a data connection, but you can download maps and routes to use them offline.

The terrain

It is important to consider the type of terrain along the route. Will we be walking on clearly visible, relatively easy trails, or on uneven and perhaps rocky ground that requires a different level of preparation? Knowing what kind of terrain we will face helps us decide which shoes to wear and what to bring, but also whether the route is suitable for us and what we want to do. If we suffer from vertigo, for example, we need to know if there will be exposed sections. If we have knee problems, a trail that is too steep may not be suitable. And so on. Furthermore, if the description says that there are sections where the trail is barely visible or even non-existent, we must be sure we can read the terrain to continue without getting lost. In this case, knowing how to use a map and compass, or a GPS, is essential.

Weather forecasts

Never set out on a hike without first checking the weather forecast. It is even better to check more than one and compare them. With the resources available to us today, it is very easy to find accurate, real-time information, which can further help us decide on our itinerary. If the forecast says it will rain in the afternoon, it may be better to choose a shorter route or a simpler itinerary that can be completed even in the rain. If there is a risk of thunderstorms, it is best to stay away from exposed ridges. The presence or absence of snow will influence whether we choose one area over another. Furthermore, and just as importantly, checking the forecast is essential for deciding what to bring and how to dress: gloves and a down jacket or a T-shirt, hiking shoes or boots and crampons, and so on. There are many apps you can download and consult to get an accurate weather forecast for wherever you are. Some of my favorites are MeteoBlue, MeteoSwiss, Windy, XCWeather, and, for Italy, the website of the regional environmental protection agency where I am. There are many other resources—countless. As with tracking apps, it is also important here to learn how to use two or three and always rely on the same ones to ensure you can extract accurate information from them.

Choosing a trail within your abilities

Once you have considered all these factors, you must compare them with your physical fitness and your technical abilities in the mountains, and carefully assess whether you will be able to complete the route. These two factors are essential, and knowing yourself is crucial for choosing a suitable route. Another piece of advice is to always have a plan B. If, for any reason, you decide once you arrive that it is not possible to continue, it is good to be prepared and know if there are alternative routes that will allow you to reach your destination. If not, turning back is always a valid option. In any case, I always recommend sharing your itinerary with a trusted person before you leave, so that emergency services can be contacted if you do not return or run into difficulties.

 

All these things are interconnected and should always be considered before setting out on a hike. Each of these factors is a crucial piece of the puzzle, and considering them will help us plan the most suitable route for a specific time and set of conditions. It is not always easy, of course, and it is certainly a process that will become easier with experience. If we are beginners and do not yet have the skills needed to plan a hike independently, we should always consult someone more experienced, such as a friend or a mountain professional. This way, we can learn and always approach the mountains with the right knowledge and awareness.