Techniques for Hiking Across 4 Types of Terrain
Every outdoor hike is a new journey, with varying terrain and surfaces. When venturing into remote areas with no established paths or clear signage, you must rely on maps, a compass, and your own wits and feet to navigate every inch of the land. Hiking through such terrain is inseparable from the condition of the path—the quality of the trail directly affects whether you can successfully complete the trek. Poor trail conditions can sometimes lead to injuries. But if you master the techniques for hiking different types of terrain, you’ll be able to make it through. Now, let’s learn hiking skills for various terrains with the editors at ExplorerGo.
1. Flagstone Paths
Trail Features:
These paths are mainly from the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China era. They are traditional ancient-style roads, paved manually with flagstones of varying sizes. Due to their age and heavy foot traffic, these flagstone paths have become extremely smooth. In rainy or snowy conditions, accidents can easily happen—minor ones like slips or twisted ankles, or even serious injuries like fractures.
Hiking Tips:
After rain, when hiking uphill, in addition to wearing anti-slip shoes, keep your mind relaxed. Keep your center of gravity from leaning too far forward; align it perpendicularly to the stone slabs beneath you, and try to use trekking poles. When carrying a heavy backpack, keep its weight centered slightly below the middle, and use your hands to hold onto rocks or trees when possible. When going downhill, always use trekking poles and lean your center of gravity slightly forward. Try to place your feet in the gaps between the stones or on vegetation along the side of the path. Always maintain a safe distance between people to avoid one person’s fall knocking down several others. After snowfall, it’s best to use four-point crampons. If not using crampons, make sure your feet land on tree roots or grass along the path—trekking poles are essential.
2. Rocky Step Terrain
Trail Features:
So-called rocky step terrain means there is no clear path. The “path” is mainly formed by valleys and gullies that have been eroded by long-term rainfall and flash floods. Walking here requires hopping from stone to stone, amid a mix of fine sand, streams, and jagged boulders—full of hidden dangers.
Hiking Tips:
Overcoming the fear of stepping on rocks is key, which requires staying focused. Avoid hiking in valleys during or right after heavy rains in the rainy season—watch out for flash floods. Wear thick-soled, sturdy hiking shoes. Before stepping on rocks, check that your shoelaces are secure, tighten your backpack straps and waist belt to keep it snug against your back, so it doesn’t sway or throw off your balance while jumping. When stepping, keep your eyes on the path ahead, accurately judge your next foothold, and watch for worn spots on rocks that often serve as natural steps. Also, make sure to clean the soles of your shoes—if sand sticks to them, watch out for your knees and teeth.
3. Dirt Roads
Trail Features:
This type of surface is very common, usually formed by weathered rocks and exposed earth due to lack of vegetation, trodden over time by many hikers. You might think this is the easiest kind of path—what’s there to watch out for? But that thought couldn’t be more wrong. In the rainy season, these paths turn into the infamous muddy trails, where it’s very easy to slip and fall.
Every outdoor hike is a new journey, with varying terrain and surfaces. When venturing into remote areas with no established paths or clear signage, you must rely on maps, a compass, and your own wits and feet to navigate every inch of the land. Hiking through such terrain is inseparable from the condition of the path—the quality of the trail directly affects whether you can successfully complete the trek. Poor trail conditions can sometimes lead to injuries. But if you master the techniques for hiking different types of terrain, below let’s learn hiking tips for different terrains.
1. Flagstone Paths
Trail Features:
These paths are mainly from the late Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China era. They are traditional ancient-style roads, paved manually with flagstones of varying sizes. Due to their age and heavy foot traffic, these flagstone paths have become extremely smooth. In rainy or snowy conditions, accidents can easily happen—minor ones like slips or twisted ankles, or even serious injuries like fractures.
Hiking Tips:
After rain, when hiking uphill, in addition to wearing anti-slip shoes, keep your mind relaxed. Keep your center of gravity from leaning too far forward; align it perpendicularly to the stone slabs beneath you, and try to use trekking poles. When carrying a heavy backpack, keep its weight centered slightly below the middle, and use your hands to hold onto rocks or trees when possible. When going downhill, always use trekking poles and lean your center of gravity slightly forward. Try to place your feet in the gaps between the stones or on vegetation along the side of the path. Always maintain a safe distance between people to avoid one person’s fall knocking down several others. After snowfall, it’s best to use four-point crampons. If not using crampons, make sure your feet land on tree roots or grass along the path—trekking poles are essential.
2. Rocky Step Terrain
Trail Features:
So-called rocky step terrain means there is no clear path. The “path” is mainly formed by valleys and gullies that have been eroded by long-term rainfall and flash floods. Walking here requires hopping from stone to stone, amid a mix of fine sand, streams, and jagged boulders—full of hidden dangers.
Hiking Tips:
Overcoming the fear of stepping on rocks is key, which requires staying focused. Avoid hiking in valleys during or right after heavy rains in the rainy season—watch out for flash floods. Wear thick-soled, sturdy hiking shoes. Before stepping on rocks, check that your shoelaces are secure, tighten your backpack straps and waist belt to keep it snug against your back, so it doesn’t sway or throw off your balance while jumping. When stepping, keep your eyes on the path ahead, accurately judge your next foothold, and watch for worn spots on rocks that often serve as natural steps. Also, make sure to clean the soles of your shoes—if sand sticks to them, watch out for your knees and teeth.
3. Dirt Roads
Trail Features:
This type of road surface is quite common. It mainly forms due to the weathering of stones and the lack of vegetation on the mountain surface, which has been trodden on by people over a long period of time. You might think this is the easiest path to walk on—what’s there to be careful about? Well, that kind of thinking is completely wrong. During the rainy season, this kind of road turns into what is known as a muddy mess, and it’s very easy to slip and fall.
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