Hiking through various terrains is one of the main forms of outdoor activity. In areas with complex and diverse landscapes and few human traces, where there are no ready-made paths and no clear signs to indicate direction, hikers rely on maps, compasses,
as well as their own minds and feet to read every inch of the land. Leaving footprints in pristine or ancient, weathered places, and observing and learning various useful knowledge amid serene quietness or lively energy brings a deep sense of fulfillment.
Hiking activities are inseparable from trails, and the condition of the path directly affects whether we can successfully complete the journey. Poor trail conditions can sometimes lead to injuries. By mastering techniques for walking on different types of terrain,
you can make your journey smoother and more enjoyable. Walking safely and happily, here we have compiled some common hiking terrain traversal experiences,
hoping to be helpful to friends who enjoy outdoor activities or work in field environments.



1. Stone-paved Trails

Trail Characteristics: These surfaces mainly appear along rocky cliffs, steep rock faces, or fault lines where bedrock is exposed. The path may consist of a single large stone slab or multiple slabs, or it may be artificially laid flagstones.
Because the surface is smooth and often covered with moss, it is prone to slipping. Rain or snow can easily lead to accidents, ranging from minor falls or twisted ankles to serious fractures or injuries.

Walking Tips: After rain, when hiking uphill, wear non-slip shoes and stay relaxed. Keep your center of gravity slightly back, perpendicular to the stone slabs beneath you, and use trekking poles whenever possible.
When carrying a heavy backpack, keep the weight centered toward the lower middle part.
Use your hands to hold onto rocks or trees when necessary. When descending, always use trekking poles and lean your center of gravity slightly forward. Try to step into gaps between slabs or onto vegetation at the edge of the path. Keep a safe distance between people
to avoid a domino effect if someone falls. After snowfall, if you have proper gear, use crampons with four spikes. Otherwise, step on tree roots or grass along the edges of the trail, and make sure to carry trekking poles—
or substitute with suitably sized branches or sticks if poles are unavailable.



2. Rocky Step Terrain

Trail Characteristics: So-called "rocky steps" mean there’s no obvious path—the “trail” is typically formed by valleys and gullies that have been shaped over time by rain erosion or flash floods. Sometimes there is a faint path, but it's surrounded by farmland,
where farmers clearing their fields throw stones onto the path, eventually creating a surface of unevenly sized rocks. Hiking here requires jumping from rock to rock.
With fine sand, streams, and boulders scattered unpredictably, the path is full of hidden hazards.

Walking Tips: Overcoming fear of stepping on rocks is essential, which requires focused attention. Avoid rocky trails before or immediately after heavy rains during the rainy season to prevent flash floods.
Wear thick-soled, sturdy hiking boots. Before starting, check that your shoelaces are secure, tighten your backpack straps and waist belt so the pack fits snugly against your back, preventing it from swaying or throwing you off balance while jumping.
Keep your eyes on the path ahead to accurately judge your next step, and look for polished spots on rocks that indicate they're commonly used as footholds.
Also, make sure to clean your shoe soles—if sand sticks to them, your knees and even your teeth might pay the price.



3. Dirt Trails

Trail Characteristics: This is the most common type of trail, usually formed by the weathering of stones and long-term foot traffic on bare ground without vegetation. You might think this is the easiest kind of terrain—what’s there to watch out for? But that’s a big misconception.
During the rainy season, these trails turn into notorious muddy paths, extremely slippery and likely to cause falls and knee injuries.

Walking Tips: After heavy rain, when the sun has dried the surface, the soil still retains plenty of moisture underneath, making it dangerous to hike, especially going up or down hills.
Ensure your footwear has good grip, and use trekking poles as stabilizers to avoid accidentally stepping deep into mud. Additionally, during spring and autumn, large day-night temperature differences
can cause dirt trails to ice over after rain or snow, significantly increasing danger. In such cases, use trekking poles and any available handholds when moving up or down. Always test the stability of any support before relying on it—that’s crucial.


4. Shrubland

Surface characteristics: Shrubs come in many types, which can generally be divided into natural shrubs and artificially planted shrubs. Natural shrubs are mostly found in dense jungles, featuring a wide variety of low-growing shrub species. The ground is typically wet, slippery, and soft,
and may include marshes, posing significant dangers; artificially planted shrubs are mainly distributed on drier foothills and slopes, planted by humans to serve as windbreaks and soil stabilizers. The ground here is usually dry, contains a lot of stones and sand, appears hard but is actually slippery when stepped on.

Walking tips:
When walking through shrubs, wear glasses, a hat, and zip up your windbreaker. Keep at least a 1.5-meter distance between team members to prevent branches knocked down by the person in front from rebounding and injuring you.
Always remind those behind you that too much distance can lead to getting lost. When hiking through natural shrubs, it’s best to have auxiliary gear and an experienced leader or local guide scouting ahead. Be aware that shrubs often have short thorns and lots of insects,
so it’s recommended to wear high-top, anti-slip boots with deep, prominent treads, as well as long sleeves and pants, and take care to protect your face. Artificial shrubs tend to be taller and thornier than natural ones, so it’s advisable to prepare gloves (preferably leather),
long-sleeved, high-necked, scratch-resistant clothing, and hiking shoes with good grip and traction. When hiking through such shrubs, try to stick to paths that are less slippery and wider, and preferably hold onto fresh, sturdy branches that can support your weight. Change handholds securely, and step firmly and slowly.


5. Snowfield crossings

Surface characteristics: Snowfield surfaces are formed by snow accumulation. Due to the snow cover, it's impossible to assess the terrain or road conditions, making the situation quite complex. The snow makes the ground slippery and creates greater resistance, making walking difficult.

Walking tips: When walking in snow or on snow-covered ground for extended periods, the most important thing is to take small steps and maintain a consistent rhythm, moving forward in your own steady pace. If you speed up recklessly
or take overly large steps that break your rhythm, you’ll quickly become fatigued. It’s essential to remain calm and proceed at your own pace when walking on snow. If the snow only reaches ankle or shoe-covering depth, it has almost no impact on your stride,
and you can walk as if on flat ground. (However, when the snow is higher than your knees, just lifting your feet consumes considerable energy, not to mention the exhaustion. If the snow reaches waist height, you'll need to use your feet and waist to push the snow out of the way,
adopting a step-by-step approach—known as the "snow-clearing advancement method"—to minimize fatigue. The key to this method is leaning your body (especially the upper half) forward in the direction of movement, using your center of gravity and body weight to push through the snow.)
If several people are walking together in snow less than knee-deep, synchronize your footsteps with those of the lead person. This reduces fatigue compared to walking in a scattered, disorganized manner. On soft or deep snow, wearing snowshoes prevents your feet from sinking and allows you to walk comfortably.

Walking on snow slopes requires extra caution. Due to the steep incline, traversing a slope is more challenging, and the snow cover not only requires awareness of crevasses but also vigilance against causing a snow collapse underfoot.
At the junction of icy or snowy areas and snow-covered slopes, the snow is often very deep, and travel must be conducted in groups (2–3 people per group). When crossing snow bridges, the pathfinder should test their stability before proceeding. If the snow is very soft,
yet you must cross, proceed by crawling. When climbing steep snow slopes, ensure your feet are firmly planted before moving. When stepping forward, press the ball of your foot into the snow to form a step before shifting your rear foot.
If you slip, immediately drop into a prone position to prevent sliding downhill. When climbing snow slopes, avoid areas with visible cracks. When marching on snow, choose harder-packed sections. If you get hot, don’t eat snow to quench your thirst—
swallowing snow abruptly can cause throat inflammation. If you’re extremely thirsty, use melted snow for rinsing, but try not to swallow it, as the moisture increases the burden on your circulatory system and drains your energy.
When walking on soft snow for extended periods, take longer strides to reduce the time spent on the snow. Before stepping forward, slightly retract your foot and then lift it to take a big step.
Retracting your foot gives your snowshoe room to move and helps shake off attached snow when moving forward. On steep slopes, step using the inner edge of your snowshoe and try to avoid leaning your body outward.
When the snow is frozen solid, remove your snowshoes and walk. When traveling in valleys, stay close to the valley’s central line to avoid falling rocks from the slopes.



6. Mountain hiking

Surface characteristics: Mountains often consist of undulating hills, ridges, or valleys, interspersed with streams, cliffs, or thickets. The terrain is generally complex and may feature various surfaces such as stone paths, muddy trails, stepping stones, or shrubs,
requiring the combined application of various hiking and trekking techniques.

Walking tips: When hiking in mountains, to avoid getting lost, conserve energy, and increase travel speed, prioritize using existing paths rather than forging through forests or over ridges, and prefer main trails over smaller ones. If no clear path exists,
choose to travel along longitudinal ridgelines, mountain spines, mid-slopes, edges of streams or creeks, as well as terrains with tall trees, sparse woods, open gaps, and low, thin grass. In general, avoid walking through deep, narrow valleys or areas densely overgrown
with grass and tangled vines and bamboo. Aim to traverse ridges rather than valleys, and stick to linear routes instead of crossing horizontally. Follow the principle of taking big strides—even in mountainous terrain. By increasing your step size and covering two steps in the time it would normally take three, you’ll save many steps over dozens of kilometers,
thus conserving a lot of energy. As the saying goes: “It’s better to go slow than to stop.” When fatigued, use relaxed, slow walking to rest, rather than stopping altogether. Standing for a minute means you could have walked dozens of meters at a slow pace.

Mountain hiking often involves encountering various rocky slopes and cliffs. Therefore, rock climbing is a core skill in mountaineering. Before scaling rocks, carefully observe the rock surface, and prudently assess the quality and degree of weathering of the rocks,
Then determine the direction of the climb and the route to take. The most basic method for rock climbing is the "three-point fixation" technique, which requires the climber to coordinate their hands and feet effectively. After fixing either two hands and one foot or two feet and one hand, move the remaining point,
gradually shifting your body’s center of gravity upward. When using this method, avoid jumping up or advancing too quickly, and refrain from moving two points simultaneously. Always maintain stability, lightness, and speed, and choose the most suitable distance and the most stable holds based on your own condition,
avoiding taking overly large steps or grabbing or stepping on points that are too far away.

Grassy slopes and scree slopes are among the most widely distributed terrains in mountainous areas. In mountains below 3,000 meters in elevation, apart from cliffs and steep precipices, most of the terrain consists of grassy and scree slopes. When climbing slopes with an incline of less than 30 degrees,
you can ascend in a straight line. Keep your body slightly forward-leaning, with your entire sole flat on the ground, knees slightly bent, and feet in a slight outward “V” shape. Avoid taking steps that are too large or too fast. When the slope exceeds 30 degrees, ascending in a straight line becomes considerably more difficult.
This is because it’s harder to extend the ankle joints, leading to quicker fatigue; steeper slopes also cause loose rocks to roll more easily, increasing the risk of slipping. Therefore, the general approach is to use the “zigzag” ascent method—essentially advancing diagonally across the slope in a zigzag pattern.
When climbing, keep your legs slightly bent, lean your upper body forward, point the toes of your inner foot forward, place your entire sole on the ground, and angle the toes of your outer foot slightly outward. When crossing grassy slopes, be careful not to grab at trees or pull on grass vines carelessly, as they might break and cause you to fall.
When moving across scree slopes, pay special attention to keeping your footing solid and lifting your feet gently to prevent loose rocks from rolling. If you accidentally slip while moving, immediately turn to face the slope, spread your arms wide, and straighten your legs (with toes pointed upward),
shifting your body’s center of gravity as high as possible to reduce your sliding speed. This way, you can try to find something to grab or brace against while sliding. Never sit facing outward, as doing so will not only accelerate your slide,
but also make it more likely for you to tumble down on steeper slopes.

During the rainy season when traveling in mountainous areas, try to avoid low-lying areas such as valleys and streams to prevent flash floods and landslides. In the event of thunderstorms, immediately seek shelter in nearby low-lying areas or dense shrubs, and do not hide under tall trees.
Tall trees often attract lightning strikes, putting you at risk of being hit. When taking shelter from thunderstorms, temporarily store metal objects in an easily accessible place and do not carry them on your person. You may also lie down in a lower-lying area.
In the mountains, if you encounter severe weather such as snowstorms, thick fog, or strong winds, you should stop moving and take shelter under cliffs or in caves until conditions improve. Don’t overestimate your physical strength when traveling in the mountains. When you feel fatigued,
take a rest at the right time. Don’t wait until you’re completely exhausted before resting, as it will be harder to recover your energy and you’ll have less motivation to continue. The correct approach is to walk briskly for a while, then slow down and walk at a relaxed pace for a bit, or stop and rest briefly,
regulating your breathing. When standing to rest, do not remove your gear or backpack. You can prop a stick under your backpack to reduce the load on your body. If it’s cold, avoid sitting on rocks to rest, as they can quickly draw heat away from your body.



7. River Crossings

Terrain Features: River crossings are a potential challenge during outdoor hiking. Usually, we can rely on maps to determine whether there are major rivers in the crossing area, but in more complex terrains—especially those with significant elevation differences and deeply cut river valleys—even what seems like a small stream can become an obstacle. During the rainy season, what was once a harmless creek may swell into a raging river.
Therefore, choosing the right spot to cross a river must be done with caution.
Travel Experience: The best approach is to look for a bridge or ask locals about bridge locations. Only as a last resort should you prepare to cross a river on foot. When crossing, the first priority is to carefully observe the flow of the water.

For slow-moving water, choose a shallower spot to cross and aim to land on a bank that’s easy to climb. Above or beside waterfalls, the river is usually deeper and carries more water, making it absolutely unsafe to cross. In narrower sections of the upper stream,
wading across might be feasible—but first test the depth of the water with a pole. There may be rocks to step on, or you can place stones manually to help you cross. During group expeditions,
some members may be able to jump across narrow valleys or use rocks to hop through the stream, but if many cannot, the effort isn’t worthwhile. Additionally, slipping on smooth rocks can easily lead to ankle sprains.
The outer edges of river bends are usually turbulent with wide, fast currents, and some rivers may even be affected by tides—avoid crossing these areas. Unless you have a raft or inflatable boat, head upstream to find a more suitable section to cross.
In wide river sections, if you’re left with no choice and have the necessary skills and equipment, you can lash together a flotation raft to swim across—but even with a raft or inflatable boat, don’t attempt the crossing lightly. You could be swept downstream, getting further from your intended destination.
However, this depends on actual conditions—the impact of the current and waves on navigation. If the water is too cold, you can build a raft. By the time you reach the other side, only your feet may be wet, and you can start a fire to dry them quickly.
But this also depends on the situation—the degree to which the current and wind affect your progress. If the water is shallow enough to only wet your shoes and socks, you can consider wading across. When fording, it’s generally best to cross at an angle, aiming to exit downstream.

Crossing itself is very dangerous. Wear socks and shuffle your feet through the water. Also, use a walking stick for balance, which helps upstream. A rope (climbing rope) is also a useful tool,
securing one end to the riverbank and tying the other around the waist of the person at the front. Those following will have more security. The water level for wading should not exceed knee height—if it reaches the waist, crossing is nearly impossible unless the current is extremely slow,
not to mention actually getting across. Face away from the opposite bank, positioning your body at an angle to the current, which will help push you toward the other side. Take small steps and shuffle along. Use a stick to probe the water’s depth,
otherwise you won't be able to move an inch, let alone cross the river. With your back to the opposite bank, angle your body slightly against the current—the flow will help carry you toward the other side. Take small steps and drag your feet. Use a stick to probe the depth of the water,
Check whether the landing spot is reliable. Avoid crossing rapids on foot whenever possible. If crossing is unavoidable, prepare a thick, long stick to probe rocks in the middle of the river, then cross diagonally in a semicircular path centered around those rocks. Long pants or a hiking flotation bag can substitute for a life vest, and logs or wooden planks can be effectively utilized to aid in river crossing.