The snow is slowly melting, even at higher altitudes, opening up the paths for longer mountain hikes. This is a good time to remind yourself of the most important points when planning your next mountain tour and to ask yourself a few questions. Because only those who minimize risks in advance will be safe on the trail and can enjoy their time hiking to the full!
Tip 1: Calculate the walking time
How long do I need for this tour? Good tour planning includes calculating the walking times. To do this, you take the length and altitude of a hike. The simple basic rule is that the average trained person walks 300 m uphill per hour or 4 km straight ahead.
This makes it easy to see whether you are up to the selected route for the planned tour.
On site, signposts do not always indicate how far it is to the destination — but occasionally a time and usually the route number. In Tyrol you will often also find exact position information at waypoints (name, coordinates, emergency number).
Important: Please stay on marked trails — especially if you are not familiar with the area. You should also bear this in mind, as there is not reception everywhere.
Tip 2: Classification / difficulty of the route
Whether I am up to the chosen hike can be seen from the colored dot markings on signposts or the classification in the description:
- Blue (T2): easy mountain trails (without passages where there is a risk of falling)
- Red (T3): moderately difficult mountain trails (narrow, steep, exposed, and there may be footholds such as steel stirrups or rope-insured sections)
- Black (T4-T6): difficult mountain paths & alpine climbs with easy climbing sections (steep, narrow, exposed, with footholds such as steel bars or rope-insured sections. However, this has nothing to do with via ferratas, which are specially created) Surefootedness and a head for heights are a prerequisite!
Further details can be found on the DAV website at https://www.alpenverein.de/artikel/schwierigkeitsgrade-von-bergwegen.
Important: Do not rely on apps or descriptions in forums or on internet portals and have a classic hiking map of the area with you. Free information overview maps (e.g. tourist office) are also helpful.
Personal tip: The Outdooractive AlpenvereinAktiv app is very useful for me when planning tours, as I can calculate walking times and save tours offline with just a few clicks.
Tip 3: Assess your own alpine skills correctly
The correct self-assessment of alpine knowledge and skills is one of the most important parts of tour planning when mountaineering and hiking — am I really free from vertigo and sure-footed? What is my physical condition — am I fit enough for the hike and do I have enough stamina for the ascent and descent?
There are also days when you quickly realize that it doesn’t fit. A plan B / canceling options or turning around should not be a personal ego problem.
Tip 4: Check the weather forecast
You should always bear in mind that the weather situation on the mountain can always change at short notice and have a plan B in your pocket (refreshment stop or shelter in huts). Especially if there is a risk of thunderstorms in the forecast (thunderstorm, hail)
Particularly important in summer and on hot fall days: is there water or springs along the way — pack a snack?
Tip 5: Time management & own pace
Does the approximate walking time match the chosen tour? Especially if the days are shorter or the weather is not stable. You should also always plan enough breaks when hiking in the mountains!
Excessive speed or tiredness can have a strong impact on surefootedness and concentration. Particular caution is required when descending, as a wrong step can quickly become dangerous. Concentrated climbing and walking also prevents the risk of falling rocks for other hikers!
If you’re not sure how to plan your tour and perhaps don’t know the area, many regions offer guided hikes and mountain tours for holidaymakers.
Tip: 6 Respect for nature
Especially in protected and protected areas, in young forests, with rare plants, animals and also towards other hikers. Keep quiet — even in a group, leave your music box at home and take your garbage back down into the valley.
Behavior in an emergency
How do you make an emergency call? Dial 112 (European emergency number) or 140 (Alpine emergency number for mountain rescue in AT). Pass on relevant information (who, where, what has happened) Absolute warning signals are persistent shortness of breath, palpitations, chest pain or nausea — take these seriously and abort the hike or make an emergency call in good time.
The fact is, there is a threshold for raising the alarm — this is higher the better your own alpine skills and knowledge are. This means that in an emergency, the emergency call is often made too late or too late! If you have an accident — it is always better to help somehow than to do nothing at all. A first aid kit is always part of the complete equipment in every rucksack!
The easiest option? Book a fire and ice hiking tour directly and leave the planning to the professionals.