Due to the latest coronavirus situation, the following measures are necessary before hiking:
Check your body temperature. If you have a fever, do not go hiking.
Those who have been in contact with confirmed COVID-19 cases in the past 14 days should avoid going hiking with others.
Bring your own anti-epidemic supplies, including hand sanitizer, masks, etc.
Go in pairs and maintain a certain distance with other hikers to avoid gatherings of many people.
Remember to always maintain personal and team hygiene. Avoid sharing personal items and food with others.
Hiking equipment and outfit
Outfit:
The best outfits are light, sun-protective and windproof. Shorts are not recommended!
A suitable hat can shield sunlight in summer and keep you warm during winter (light jacket, sleeping bag and warm clothing too).
In winter times, you may face severe cold or strong winds when hiking. Make sure your jacket is waterproof and windproof!
If you sweat a lot, make sure to wear sportswear that dries quickly.
Avoid carrying too much but wear the necessary clothes in advance. You can take a look at our layered clothing article for suggestions to keep warm.
Choose a pair of robust, thick-soled, non-slip and ankle protective hiking shoes.
Hiking Gear: Hiking poles, sun glasses, sun screening hats, rain gears, towels, changing clothing, gloves, torch, mosquito repellent, compass, map, pocket knife, notebook, pen, first aid kit and your octopus card and mobile phone. Take note of the limited coverage of mobile phone signals in mountainous areas, especially in valleys, which may cause loss of signal and contact. Also remember to set your phone on battery-saving mode.
Bring your personal medication and first-aid kit.
Bring sufficient water and food. You should bring foods easy to eat and digest foods, such as sweets, dried raisins, and small snacks.
Sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
Before heading out, refer to the hiking gear checklist provided by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department to ensure you have everything you need.
Before going
Plan your itinerary carefully and familiarize yourself with the route. It should include emergency exit routes and traffic arrangement. Choose routes with road markers for hikers. Please refer to our reference websites to choose the best route for you.
Search for information and geographical data on the planned route and the hiking destination. Apart from web-searches, try to contact local hiking groups for more detailed information. Do not overly rely on google maps or GPS. Check out the coverage of mobile networks among popular hiking and country trails before hiking.
Choose shorter and easier hiking routes if the hikers are inexperienced. Avoid hiking in difficult terrains or high mountains (e.g. Kowloon Peak)
Find an experienced hiker as your hiking leader. Have an assistant leader for every 10 hikers in the team.
Never go hiking alone. A four-member team is preferable, as the hiking leader can readily take care of every person.
Take note of weather conditions in different seasons:
November – February: Beware of sudden drops in Beware of sudden drops in temperature. Cold and dry weather, possibilities of hill fires
March – April: Foggy weather may make hikers lose their way.
May – October: Frequent thunderstorm and rainstorm may lead to flooding or landslide. Extremely hot weather may cause heat stroke.
When caught in a typhoon or thunderstorm, hikers should immediately retreat to safe places for shelter; and if necessary, call the police for assistance. If weather conditions are unstable or bad, all hiking activities should be suspended, especially when hiking or mountaineering warnings are issued.
Hiking leader should deliver before hiking the following information to a contact person:
- Nature, itinerary, and destination of the hiking activity
- Date and details of activity duration and planned return hour
- Number of participants and their age
- Names and family contact information of participants
Eat healthy food before hiking, but avoid drinking tea and coffee as they may increase the frequency of urination.
Safety Guidelines
Take frequent breaks to save energy
Avoid walking on slippery surface, muddy roads or sandy and stony ground.
Do not walk along natural watercourses, especially after rainstorms and in rainy seasons.
Do not hike in the sun for a long time; drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.
Never take breaks along watercourses.
For leg soreness or cramps, massage the muscles. If possible, soak feet in warm water, or use a menthol-based heat rub ointment.
Pay attention to dangers and emergency situations:
Signs of Landslide occurrence:
Large quantities of muddy water seep from the base of a slope or out of its drainage holes
Exposure of inner soil and appearance of new cracks on the slope
Handle fire-kindling materials with great care. Never light a fire except at designated barbecue sites or campsites.
Refrain from smoking during hiking. All cigarette stubs and matches should be totally extinguished before discarded in rubbish bins.
Take note of drifting ashes in the air and note any burning smell. This may indicate a hill fire and hikers should leave immediately.
Follow maintained trails. Do not venture out onto new paths, or into bushes or shrubbery, or uncultivated grassland.
Pay attention to the warning signs along the trail. Do not enter danger zones, nor take shortcuts for convenience. Follow the main road and the signage along the route
Avoid using aromatic lotion which may attract bees
Do not grasp thorny plants.
Protect your head and face or exposed skin with a handkerchief or clothing when passing through a bush.
Do not eat wild fruits/mushrooms.
In an emergency situation, consider taking the following two measures:
International Distress Signals
Blowing a whistle
Reflecting light with a mirror or metal sheet
Flashing with your torchlight at night
Waving colorful or shiny clothes to attract attention
Using stones or tree branches to form the characters of SOS on a flat and open space (Each character should be 6m x 6m).
Call 112
Calls can be connected to at least one of the mobile networks along these trails under normal circumstances. If a hiker wishes to make an emergency 112 call, the line will connect the hiker to the police through any mobile network with coverage at the location under concern regardless of which network service the hiker has. Click here for more details.
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