Best Practices in Hiking
Do you want to discover the territory of Grand Pic Saint-Loup safely during your hikes? Here are some tips to ensure that your stay goes smoothly...
The marking
All the trails presented on the website of the Grand Pic Saint-Loup Tourist Office are marked trails by the French Hiking Federation of Hérault.
In Hérault, there are nearly 3000 km of marked trails for discovering Hérault.
The Hérault includes nearly 3,200 km of hiking trails, of which 1,150 km are maintained by Rando-Pisteurs. Nearly 140 PRs are designed and accessible to all Hérault residents throughout the department.
To welcome walkers in the best and safest conditions, the Hérault Department is involved in preserving its network of trails in multiple ways:
Attention : We recommend utmost caution regarding hiking on trails not recognized by this official organization (lack of marking, insecurity, private property...
Learn more about marking: Marking in hiking: follow the right markers !
Tip No. 1: Have the right equipment
Having good shoes is undoubtedly the rule number one for hiking with pleasure.
It is important to avoid open shoes, sandals, and flip-flops on a hike, regardless of the difficulty of the planned route.
A comfortable backpack containing a few essential items.
In your backpack, there must be...
In your backpack, there should be:
- A water bottle
- Food
- Rain gear and possibly a fleece
- Phone and IGN map
- Survival blanket
- First aid kit
- Plastic bag for collecting your waste
Tip No. 2: Know the trail markings
In hiking, it remains essential to be able to orient yourself without difficulty. That is to say, to find your way and to know and « understand » the environment in which you navigate, in short, to know at every moment where you are and how to reach a given destination.
Do not exit the marked trail randomly: risks of rocky barriers, cliffs, holes, crevasses...
Guide to trail marking in hiking
Guide to trail marking in hiking
Tip No. 3: know how to keep yourself safe
Check the weather before leaving. This point is one of the most important tips for hiking safely. It is essential to check if the trails are open or under access regulation due to fires.
Tip No. 4: remember to eat well
Do not neglect to bring enough water (minimum 1.5 liters), especially in summer when it is hot. Do not forget to collect all the litter and various waste when leaving, and put them in a plastic bag to preserve our environment.
Some snack ideas to take
Some snack ideas to take
- dried fruits
- granola bars
- biscuits
- chocolate.
- water
Tip No. 5: Bring a first aid kit
Preparing and bringing a first aid kit is one of the most neglected tips, yet it is an indispensable component.
The ideal first aid kit
The ideal first aid kit:
- Sterile compresses,
- an elastic adhesive bandage (strapping),
- a pouch of adhesive sutures (strip),
- individual band-aids,
- hydrocolloid band-aids for preventing and protecting blisters,
- an antiseptic and healing cream,
- mosquito repellent
- a pair of tweezers,
- sun protection products,
- Aspivenins
- aspirin 500 mg or Paracetamol – chewable tablets, Arnica...
- peppermint alcohol and sugars in case of fatigue,
- a survival blanket,
- compressive band-aids.
Tip No. 6: know the emergency numbers
Accessible free of charge throughout the European Union, 112 aims to offer, in addition to national emergency numbers, a unique emergency number in all EU Member States. Emergency numbers allow free access to help 24/7.
Tip No. 7: don't forget your camera...
Nor the #grandpicsaintlouptourisme to share your memories of your trip in Grand Pic Saint-Loup.
