The Purple Passport

Seasoned advice for British Travellers

outdoors

How to Prepare for a Hiking Trip: 5 Essential Tips

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Whilst many of us love nothing more than to jet off an annual holiday for some sun, sea, and relaxation, many others like to do something a bit more exhilarating. If you’re the adventurous type and looking for your adrenaline fix, you may be interested in going on a hiking trip. Before you head off, it’s important that you’re well prepared, so here are five essential tips on how to prepare for a hiking trip.

Define Your Trip Style

First and foremost, you must spend time deciding on what type of hiking trip you wish to go on. There are all sorts of questions to ask yourself first, such as whether you want to camp out at night, stay in a luxurious lodge, or go hiking in the Adirondacks. Deciding what type of trekking is right for you is crucial, to give you a clearer idea of where you want to go.

Choose Your Trip

Once you’ve decided on the type of hiking, walking, or trekking you want to do, you need to find a trip that’s right for you. For example, if you want to stay put in the UK, HF Holidays offer a range of guided hiking holidays which allow you to explore stunning walking locations. Whether it be the rolling Cotswold Hills or the granite cliffs of the Cornish coast, you are bound to find an area that’s suitable for you.

Assess Your Fitness Level

Unlike a beach holiday where the most exercise you will likely do is going from your sun lounger to the pool, a hiking holiday requires stamina and energy. To get the most out of your trip, it’s only natural that you will want to see as much as you can, so walking mile after mile can take its toll, especially if you’ve put health and fitness on the backburner. Before you head off on your trip, you will need to assess your fitness level. If you aren’t sure how to do this, your tour operator will be able to help.

Train for your Trip

Once you’ve established your level of fitness, you will be able to begin training for your hiking trip. It’s best to start a month or two before you head off, so whether it be spending time at the gym build your muscles and stamina levels, or even working out from the comfort of your own home, remaining consistent and focused is key. We all know how important regular exercise is for our health, so staying active will help you get the most out of your hiking trip.

Bring the Right Equipment

If you haven’t got the right equipment with you, your hiking trip won’t be one you’ll want to remember! There are all sorts of weather conditions you will face, so knowing what to pack for your adventure is crucial. Wearing the right books to support your feet, and the right clothes to wear is important, so don’t hesitate to contact your tour operator for more information. The last thing you want is to find yourself in torrential rain with nothing but a flimsy jacket on!

To get the most out of your hiking trip, it’s important to establish your level of fitness first. The more training you do, the better! Also, bringing the right equipment along with you is crucial, so if you aren’t sure where to start, make sure to ask your tour operator for help.

Your Zion National Park Questions, Answered!

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The Zion National Park in Southwest Utah is one of the most visited national parks in the United States for a number of reasons. It has gorgeous scenery and plenty of hiking trails to explore, making it the perfect destination for those who love adventures. It is also home to diverse wildlife, from the mule deer to the bighorn sheep.

A trip to Zion National Park is one that you will remember for years to come. To make the trip more fruitful and enjoyable, here are some of the most frequently asked questions about the national park, answered.

How Do I Get There?

You can reach the Zion National Park in a number of ways. Those visiting the Grand Canyon or Monument Valley can continue their journey by car; the Zion National Park is about four hours away from the Grand Canyon. The same can be said for those who are visiting Zion from different parts of Utah. The closest national park is the Bryce National Park, which is about an hour away from Zion National Park.

The most convenient way to reach the park, however, is by flying to Las Vegas. From McCarran International Airport, the Zion National Park is around two to three hours away by car. You can easily rent a car from Las Vegas, plus you get the bonus of being able to sample this glamorous city upon arriving or before ending your trip.

What about Accommodation?

Being the popular destination that it is, Zion National Park has a number of accommodation options to choose from. The Bumbleberry Inn, the best Zion hotel in the area, offers homey accommodation for any kind of traveler. It has its own theater and you can use the shuttle rides to get to various points in the national park.

There are several camping grounds too, so you can go all out with your adventure to the national park and spend some time in the wild. The Lava Point Campground and the South Campground are the more popular ones, but you have other options to choose from. There are even RV resorts for those traveling in their RVs.

Is it Safe to Drive to Zion National Park?

Driving to Zion National Park is not only safe but highly recommended. The Zion Scenic Drive is actually one of the area’s best attractions. The route takes you across the national park and straight to the forest area.

The drive itself is special. You will be driving along a twisty road with gorgeous scenery to enjoy from start to finish. There are some areas with sharp hairpins and challenging turns – not all of them have guardrails – but as long as you are focused, you will have a lot of fun taking this route.

Don’t forget to have your camera ready too. You will be rewarded with breathtaking views of the landscape; chances are you’ll be making several stops while driving this route.

Once you get to Zion National Park, you will have even more things to do. Now that you have these questions answered, you can plan for the trip better and have the best time exploring the national park.