Your legs are tingling and your bag is ready?
You don't want to miss the sunrise behind the mountains?
Do you gaze out of the window at the incredible landscape before you?
You'd be pinching yourself to make sure you weren't dreaming, because the day is shaping up to be glorious. But before you set off for the heights, have you thought of everything? The success of your day depends on it.
1. Evaluate your level
If you want to enjoy yourself, it's best to estimate your current level of fitness. Fatigue, physical preparation beforehand, whether or not you hike regularly, your state of health... these are all criteria you need to take into account.
Only you can judge these parameters, and observing them is essential to the smooth running of your day.
2. Plan your hiking itinerary in advance
According to your level and your desires, choose your itinerary: in the forest or towards the high peaks? In search of wild animals or the finest specimens of mountain flowers? A family hike or a sporty one, with little or a lot of difference in altitude? These are the questions you need to ask yourself before making your decision.
To help you make your choice, the Itinéraires Randonnées map-guide, on sale at Tourist Office offices and also available online, is a mine of information (€10).
As for Rando Briançonnais, a website dedicated to hiking, trail running and heritage promotion, it offers detailed itineraries and useful features such as GPS tracks, 3D maps...
If you need to, you can supplement these tools by using topographical maps, hiking guides and other specialized applications that will tell you distances, altitude differences, water points, refuges, etc.
Then take care to mark out your route on your favorite medium, to make things easier for you once you're in the field. Some trails are well-marked, but others are more confidential and require additional orientation tools.
And preparing your itinerary already puts you in the hiking mood - it's great fun!
Mountain weather can change rapidly, so check the forecast the day before and the day of your departure.
If weather conditions don't look favorable (risk of thunderstorms, rain, snow), postpone your hike.
Hiking in bad weather can be dangerous.
4. Equip yourself properly
Wear hiking boots that are suited to the terrain, sturdy yet comfortable, often with high or mid-high uppers
When it comes to clothing, you'll need to consider layering: light clothing for ascents, warm clothing for higher altitudes and breaks, a waterproof jacket and a hat
Walking poles are recommended, as they take the strain off your joints (ankles, knees) and distribute your efforts more evenly. As an added bonus, you'll also get to work on shaping your arms!
Last but not least, hiking with a backpack chosen according to your morphology, worn so that your hips support part of the weight, improves your comfort and makes your outing more enjoyable.
5. Take along food and drink
Any physical effort requires energy. Remember to eat well and pack energy snacks such as dried fruit or cereal bars. This is important to avoid the "energy crash".
It's logical that you sweat when you do sport. At altitude, the effect is tenfold and dehydration is just around the corner.
Take plenty of water with you 💧 , or even nutrient-enriched sports drinks
As for alcohol, remember that not only is it intoxicating (hard to walk upright and retain full reflexes) but it also dehydrates.
6. Pack your safety gear in your backpack
In addition to clothing, food and drink, the perfect hiker's rucksack should include a first-aid kit, which you can put together yourself or buy off-the-shelf, a map, a GPS (or compass), a multi-purpose knife , a headlamp, a whistle (so you can be located in case of need), sunglasses, a hat or cap and protective sun cream.
The sun is strong at altitude, even if the relative coolness can make you forget it.
We hope you won't have to use items such as a first-aid kit or whistle, but if you do, they can come in handy.
Extra info: safety also means reporting what you see in the field: a signposting error, a defective sign, a pollution problem, a need for safety measures...
To do this, use Suricate: sentinelles.sportsdenature.fr. Fill in the form, locate the problem and press send.
Your report will be processed by the nature sports federations of the French départements and government departments, in conjunction with the Pôle ressources national des sports de nature of the French Ministry of Sport.
7. Tell someone you know about your route
Always tell someone close to you, the receptionist at your accommodation or someone else you trust about the route you're taking.
Even if it's sometimes difficult to estimate the duration of your walk, give an approximate time of return.
If this person doesn't see you return, he or she will alert the emergency services, who will know which direction to take to search for you.
8. Go at your own pace
To make the most of your walk and the majestic scenery all around you, walk at your own pace, without overestimating yourself. There's no need to wear yourself out, as the consequences can be unfortunate.
Take regular breaks to rest, eat, hydrate and soak up the mountain atmosphere.
9. Preserve the environment
The mountains, whatever their altitude, are a fragile environment. Local flora and fauna are vulnerable.
Stay on marked trails, close fences and keep your dogs on a leash.
Avoid picking flowers and plants, which may be protected, and moving stones, under which many species make their home.
Be careful not to disturb herds and other animals, from the smallest to the largest.
Take your garbage with you and sort it separately: special containers are available in the valley.
The mountains are magnificent: to keep them that way, we need to take good care of them.
10. Live the experience to the full
Hiking in the mountains is good for body and mind.
Put your senses to work to reap all the benefits.
Take time toadmire the surrounding mountains andlandscapes.
Feast your eyes on fields of colorful flowers or marmots playing in the meadow.
Feel theinvigorating air fill your lungs. Smell the fragrance of the larches and mountain plants.
Listen to the marmots whistle. Hear the gentle breeze in the trees. Wrap your arms around the trees (gently, and not the frailest ones) for an unparalleled experience.
The list is endless, but in short, take the time to feel the sensations running through you and reconnect with nature. You'll feel better than ever!
By following our advice, you'll experience the very best that hiking and the mountains have to offer. Happy hiking in the mountains of Serre Chevalier Vallée Briançon!