The word can be scary because it is sometimes understood as a sports activity in high mountains. As we wrote in a previous article, if this is its original meaning, it is now rather interpreted as a traveling hike over several days. So trekking for beginners is not impossible!
What level to do your first trek?
With the current definition, there is no need for a particular level for an easy trek. Just be healthy. The points to consider in evaluating the difficulty of a trek are the duration of the trek, the daily walking time, the drop, the altitude and the climatic conditions.
How long for my first trek?
For starters, the ideal is less than a week. This will give you a good idea of what a trekking is while avoiding being too tired if you are a little overrated.
What time of walk and drop?
If you are in good health, you can walk up to 4 hours a day with a slight drop (less than 1000m) without preparation. Attention, this is the cumulative altitude difference and not the difference between the arrival altitude and the departure altitude. Chaining up and down successive 100m is more exhausting than a single mounted 200m. If you used to walk or are athletic, you can walk during 6h with 2000m. Beyond, I will not advise for a first trek.
And the altitude and the weather?
In addition to the above factors, altitude can play an important role. Indeed, after 2000m you can start to suffer from altitude sickness. In addition, the decrease of oxygen in the air will accelerate your breathing. For a first trek, I advise you to avoid exceeding this altitude if you are not a regular on the mountain. Similarly the weather can complicate things. It is important to check that you are leaving at the most suitable time for the trek. A dry weather and a little cool is the ideal!
Alone or accompanied?
For a first trek, I advise to be accompanied. Ideally, leave with a small group and a guide. The price suffers but you will not worry about logistics and the portage is often included. The backpack is only used to carry the affairs of the day. Otherwise the tent, the food, the stove will add more pounds and make walking harder. Note, the weight of the bag should ideally be less than 10% of the weight of the wearer … The use of shelters can reduce the weight of the bag by avoiding tent.
Now that you know that trekking for beginners is possible, discover our easiest treks (without preparation), as well as the most accessible (with a little preparation).
