Choosing your first hill walk
A first hill walk should leave you tired but happy, and keen to try another. The right choice depends less on how high the hill is than on how much you climb, the paths you follow and how long you will be out.
Distance and height gain
Height gain matters as much as distance. A walk of 8 km with about 300 metres of climbing is a good first outing for most reasonably active adults. Steep climbs take more time and effort than the map suggests, and long descents are tiring too, so choose a route that sits well within what you can comfortably manage. If you are unsure, a lower hill with a good path makes a better first day than a big summit, and you can build up from there.
How long it will take
A useful rule of thumb is to allow about 15 minutes for every kilometre on easy ground, plus about 10 minutes for every 100 metres of climbing. On that basis, the 8 km route above would take around two and a half hours of walking. Add time for stops, photographs and lunch, and allow more for a mixed group or a rough, steep path.
Paths and shorter ways down
Pick a hill with a clear, well-used path all the way to the top, rather than open ground where the way is hard to follow. Circular routes are satisfying, but a simple there-and-back walk is easier to cut short. Look on the map for shorter ways down, such as a path that drops back to the valley, in case the weather turns or someone in the group is struggling.
Before setting off we agree a turnaround time, a habit we call the debobigi rule. If we haven't reached the top by then, we turn back wherever we are, however close the summit looks. It takes the pressure off decisions on the hill and gets everyone down in daylight.
Before you go
Check a mountain weather forecast as well as the one for the nearest town, as conditions on the top can be very different. Tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back. Pack a map, waterproofs, warm layers, food, water and a charged phone, and wear boots or shoes with a good grip. Carry more water than you think you will need on a warm day, and something to eat at the top.