Answer

By Trail magazine

If you want to get into hill-walking you certainly shouldn’t start with a technical scramble on a serious mountain. There are plenty of accessible hills that are good bets for your first walk. The trick is to pick one that is appropriate to your skill level and to tackle it for the first time in clear weather.

“Making sure you have the right gear should be your first priority,” says Trail magazine’s technical editor, Graham Thompson. “A waterproof jacket and trousers are essential, as are a pair of well-fitting boots and a comfortable rucksack. And on every walk, a map and compass are essential, as are the navigation skills to be able to use them.”

Once you’ve sorted the above kit, here’s what else you need…
• Spare fleece
• Hat and gloves
• Water and plenty of food
• Headtorch with spare batteries
• Whistle – in case you get lost

Get on a course
There are plenty of courses to get you started. Take a look in the classified ads of Trail and Country Walking magazine to find one that works for you.
It’s worth thinking about what skills you actually need to develop, so rather than just taking a general hill-walking course, why not sign up for a specific skill course? If your mapwork is a little rusty, taking a navigation course will hone your map and compass work as well as get you out on the hill.
Of course, you don’t have to go on a course. If you have very specific skills that you want to address you might benefit from one-to-one sessions with a Mountain Instructor. Head to the Association of Mountain Instructors’ website at www.ami.org.uk to find instructors in the area you want to walk.
You can also gain a great deal from going out with a local mountaineering and climbing club. You can find clubs in your area at the British Mountaineering Council’s website at www.thebmc.co.uk
If you’re interested in lower-level walking, check out The Ramblers’ website at www.ramblers.org.uk. They have clubs and meets across the country.

Don’t want a course?
If you and your friend want to tackle your first hill alone then your first aim should be to identify the hill and the route you want to tackle. You need to be confident in your ability to navigate and you should aim for something low level, with an easy ascent and few navigational problems. Tackle it in good weather (always check the weather report before you go, ideally a specific mountain weather forecast such as the Mountain Weather Information Service www.mwis.org.uk).

Make sure you leave a route plan with someone, detailing where you are going, the route you intend to take and the time you expect to be back. Then if you do get lost, these details can be given to Mountain Rescue to help find you.

Good first-timers’ hills

Ingleborough, Pennines
Why? You’re spoilt for choice for paths up Ingleborough, though for novices the direct routes from Ingleton and Clapham are favourites.
How high? 724m
Maps OS Explorer (1:25,000) OL2; OS Landranger (1:50,000) 98; Harvey Superwalker (1:25,000) Yorkshire Dales
Three Peaks
Start/finish car park Ingleton (SD696731)
Total ascent 655m
Time 5-6 hours
Terrain wooded valley, bleak moorland and limestone gorge

Brecon Beacons, south Wales
Why? The classic Brecon horseshoe from Pen y Fan to Corn Du gives you a feeling of big mountain terrain.
How high? 886m (Pen y Fan)
Maps OS Explorer (1:25,000) OL12; OS Landranger (1:50,000) 160; Harvey Superwalker (1:25,000) Brecon
Start Storey Arms (SN982283)
Finish Talybont Reservoir, S0103205
Total ascent 950m
Time 5-6 hours
Terrain mainly good paths; boggy in places

Yes Tor, High Willhays, Dartmoor
Why? Right at the edge of Dartmoor, a good navigation challenge and the only two summits over 2,000ft in southern England.
How high 360m (High Willhays)
Maps OS Explorer (1:25,000) OL28; OS Landranger (1:50,000) 191; Harvey Superwalker (1:25,000) Dartmoor
Start/finish Meldon Reservoir (SX562917)
Total ascent 360m
Time 4-5 hours
Terrain faint paths: not a good route in poor visibility

>> Country Walking and Trail magazine are both packed with routes each month, so if you want more inspiration, check out this month’s issue.