Whether it’s your first steps on an organised walk or you’re undertaking an epic charity fundraiser, there are plenty of things to consider and prepare before you set off.
From making sure you're properly fuelled and creating a training plan to prepping for those dreaded blisters, make sure you're ready for it.
1. Choose the best walk for your ability
Many leading charities run fundraising hiking events across the UK. They range from single day to multi-day events and are professionally guided with expedition leaders walking alongside you. The hikes offer the chance to walk some of the most iconic or challenging routes in the UK with a group of like-minded people, from scaling the highest mountain peaks to walking the length of Hadrian’s Wall or navigating between Dartmoor’s tors.
2. Create a training plan
“The more you train prior to the event, the more you’ll enjoy it,” says Charity Challenge’s Jenn Payne. “Starting training 16 weeks before departure gives you time to tailor your strength and fitness.”
The most important tip? “Follow the supplied training plans and train in what you’re going to walk in on the day, including your backpack, snacks and water supply. This will get you accustomed to the additional 8–10kg weight you’ll be carrying and test-drive the functionality and comfort of your kit.”
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3. Buy the correct kit
Never has the ‘be prepared’ motto rung truer. Warm layers, waterproofs, hats for cold or wind-protection, sunscreen, a fresh pair of socks for the halfway point and a basic first aid kit are all essential to squeeze into your backpack. My top tip is a comfortable moisture-wicking base layer and an easy-access bumbag for your phone and bag of trail mix.
4. Beat blisters
If there’s one thing guaranteed to ruin your hike, it’s getting a blister. The secret to avoiding them lies in your footwear. “Never walk in new boots,” says Marie Curie’s event lead Matt Carruthers. “Try on plenty, gaining expert help from an outdoor specialist to ensure the right fit, then do all your training in them.” Adding breathable socks, sock liners and zinc oxide tape to bind any blister-prone areas can all make a huge difference.
5. Nail your nutrition
Everyone has different fuel needs, so Payne advises listening to your body during training and learning what it needs to stay fuelled and hydrated. On my Dartmoor challenge, Marie Curie supplied plentiful snack and water top-ups, and other charities offer hearty breakfasts before you start.
Either way, you’ll need to bring your favourite energy-boosting supplies and at least two litres of water. “Sipping water little and often is key,” says Payne, “so choose a backpack with a refillable water bladder, bringing a smaller bottle for electrolyte mixing.”
6. Make sure you have company
Walking alone is one of life’s great pleasures, but a hiking challenge is often far more rewarding in company. “These are long paths so undertaking them with a friend and sharing stories with new people along the way all add a special magic,” agrees Payne. She cites the emotional benefits of encouraging each other, sharing the awe-inspiring views and revelling in the completion. “For me, hearing the leaders’ local knowledge of flora, fauna, history and topography is also hugely enriching.”
7. Consider the terrain
Many of these hikes are across challenging terrain, involving steep inclines, rocky or boggy ground and scrambled descents, so add lots of variation into your training.
“In the absence of mountains to practice on, I add bigger inclines into cross-training equipment or spend time going up and down long staircases,” says Carruthers. Payne also advises resistance training to build muscle strength and walking poles to take pressure off your knees.
8. Pace yourself
“These events are not a race, they are all about a shared experience and finishing together,” expounds Payne. “The treks are designed to be walked at an average pace and naturally split into groups walking at different speeds. Always find your own comfortable pace and don’t feel pressure to keep up with others – no one ever gets left behind.”
9. Safety first
Safety is managed meticulously in the pre-event planning stage and by a full support team on the day. If the weather closes in, so does the group, closely following the team leaders and monitoring each other to ensure everyone completes the challenge safely. If there’s an injury, support is a radio call away with rescue teams on standby. It’s all reassuringly different to heading out on these trails alone.
10. Panicking? Remind yourself of the cause
With a minimum fundraising target for each challenge, these hikes really do help. Helen Hancock of cancer charity Macmillan explains: “Macmillan’s Mighty Hikes has been running for 10 years, raising a total of £70 million. Last year, 24,000 people walked over 438,000 miles with us and raised £10.7 million.”
For many, the fundraising element is deeply personal. Emily Kelly walked Marie Curie’s Beat the 13 Tors in Dartmoor in memory of her mum: “Raising over £400 to help others needing end-of-life care, challenging myself and sharing stories of my mum as I walked was wonderfully cathartic.”
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Top image credit: Getty
