All you beginner hikers out there—have these questions been the reason you’ve held back from hitting the trails? Don’t worry, let the experts help solve your concerns, choose the right hiking route for you, and take a look together with us!
Q: Can I go hiking if I’m not used to it?
Actually, Taiwan is a mountainous place, and even if you don’t have a regular hiking habit, you probably still go for walks in the countryside from time to time. So if you want to take your first step into hiking, all you need to do is maintain a walking habit, choose a simpler introductory hiking itinerary, and do a bit more training before hitting the trail. Hiking isn’t as out of reach as you might think!
Q: Not sure how to pick an introductory hiking route?
As a beginner with no hiking experience, experts recommend starting with hiking and camping routes. These types of hiking routes are a little more challenging than regular walks, and they require some physical training beforehand, but they’re much easier than other Taiwan Hundred Mountains peaks, making them the top choice for hiking beginners.
If you want to challenge one of the Taiwan Hundred Mountains on your first try, that’s totally fine too. Experts recommend trying out the Snow Mountain, Yushan, or Qilai South China routes. Take Qilai South China as an example—it’s 3,184 meters above sea level, has no cliffs or steep drops, and the route is relatively gentle. These two Hundred Mountains peaks are known among hikers as the most friendly ones in Taiwan. The difficulty isn’t too high, and you can still achieve your dream of hiking a Hundred Mountains peak. Isn’t that great?
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If you want to try a slightly more challenging introductory hiking route, then Jiaming Lake in Taitung is the one for you! It’s recommended that beginner hikers join a four-day Jiaming Lake hiking trip, which helps reduce the daily altitude gain, slows down the pace of the hike, and lets you slowly take in the scenery around Jiaming Lake.
Q: Not sure how to prepare hiking gear?
■ Choose comfortable, sweat-wicking clothing, and opt for earthy tones like beige, brown, green, or black that blend with nature. Additionally, to prepare for the rainy and changeable mountain weather, pack waterproof, sun-protective, and warm clothing and gear.
■ Choose lightweight and comfortable hiking shoes; heavy boots or deeply treaded soles can compact the soil and damage trails, so wear them only when necessary.
■ Bring knee pads, trekking poles, headlamps, flashlights, maps, and a compass for navigation.
■ Carry signaling mirrors, whistles, high-visibility vests, as well as mobile phones or radios, ropes, and other emergency items to ensure your safety on the trip.
In addition to these basic hiking essentials, many hiking trips also offer pre-trip briefings or hiking courses, allowing beginners to carefully understand and review their gear before hitting the trail. There’s no need to worry too much!
Q: Concerned about the quality of mountain huts or tent accommodations?
Even when traveling, you want to stay somewhere clean—even when hiking. If you’re hiking for the first time and still want to stay somewhere more comfortable, experts suggest choosing hiking routes that include homestays. The overall hiking pace is also more relaxed, making it perfect for beginners. You won’t need to rush and will have better rest time to adjust your body.
If you can accept it, actually, mountain huts these days are quite clean and comfortable. For example, the Snow Mountain 369 Lodge is a dormitory-style hut with sponge mats laid out—you can also bring your own sleeping pad if needed. Staying one night is generally a pretty comfortable experience and is the top choice for most hikers.
Q: Can’t gather enough hiking buddies or feel stressed about joining a group?
Actually, there are now many small private group hiking trips for just two people. Not only do they come with professional guides, but the pace can also be adjusted according to your speed, so you don’t have to worry about not finding a group of hikers or feeling like you’re holding others back in a group!
Beginner Hikers Q&A Full Guide Part 2
How much do you know about advanced hiking knowledge?
■ Judging the difficulty of hiking routes – 11%
■ Whether transportation is included – 15%
■ Guide experience – 14%
■ Guide-to-participant ratio – 11%
■ Whether gear-carrying service is provided – 11%
■ Price incentives have a low impact weight
Q: Want to take on more challenging hiking routes?
If you’ve already conquered these beginner-friendly hiking trails, why not level up to more difficult routes? These advanced paths feature rugged terrain and longer one-day hikes, requiring excellent physical fitness. They’re perfect for seasoned hikers with extensive experience who are ready to tackle even more demanding alpine challenges.
Recommended reading:5 Essential Pre-Hiking SOPs for Beginners & 3 Scenic Hiking Routes to Experience Ethereal Beauty
Q: Are there professional guides leading the group?
Depending on the difficulty of the hike, the required knowledge and gear increase accordingly. When choosing a hiking tour, be sure to check whether the guide team has extensive outdoor experience and professional skills such as wilderness first aid, survival techniques, hunting, water rescue, rock climbing, and new route exploration. Most importantly, ensure they pay close attention to each participant and monitor the overall condition of the hiking group.
Q: Taking Your Hiking Plan to the Next Level
We’ve discussed common concerns for hiking beginners, but even experienced hikers need to do their homework when tackling unfamiliar routes. That’s why many hiking tours now offer educational lectures, pre-trip fitness training sessions, and equipment rental services—equipping advanced hikers to conquer more of Taiwan’s Hundred Peaks.
After reading these hiking stories and Q&As, do you have a better understanding of hiking? Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned hiker looking to push your limits on more advanced trails, you should find the answers here. Get ready to chase your hiking dreams in the Ridge Year of 2020.
[Authorized reprint from Tripbaa Quba] Original article: [Want to Hike but Feel Hesitant?Hiking Sentiments Analysis & Route Recommendations]
Executive Editor: Hovis
Copy Editor: Reese