4 USEFUL TIPS FOR EVERYONE TO PHYSICALLY PREPARE FOR TREKKING

Springtime is now upon us. Outdoor sports lovers can’t wait to take advantage of the warm weather to get training for treks through nature during the summer, when they will once again be able to travel the world and experience some of the most beautiful trails.

As we all know, trekking has countless physical and mental benefits(we’ve already talked about this aspect here) but as in all sports, after a period of inactivity, it’s best to restart gradually and to stick to a programme.

So here are 4 useful tips for everyone (beginners and experts) to physically prepare for trekking and minimise the risk of injuries during trips.

1. Train by walking the right amount. The best way to train for trekking is with moderation but regularity.
2. Never forget to warm up, stretching and strengthening your physique. It may seem obvious, but it’s still worth repeating: it’s essential before physical exercise to warm up – to prepare the body for the activity – and afterwards to do some stretching, to relax the muscles.  It’s also useful to reinforce the physique with functional muscle-strengthening exercises.
3. Rest is also a part of training. Without taking adequate rest you can be more likely to suffer muscle and tendon injuries, weakened immune defences and even a reduction in muscle mass.
4. In trekking, and generally speaking in all sports, it is crucial to never underestimate the importance of hydration. Ideally you should try to drink at regular intervals of 20 to 30 minutes: if you do become dehydrated, the risk of developing cramps increases dramatically.

Once you’ve begun preparing physically it’s time to start your summer travels in your mind and to think about all the wonderful destinations around the world.

Here we suggest 5 of the most beautiful and evocative walks – who knows, perhaps one of them will be the destination for your next holiday!

1. Cammino di Santiago De Compostela

Perhaps the most famous trek in the world, this is walked by millions of people every year: believers, pilgrims, but also passionate hikers. It’s made up of different paths from all over Europe that all lead to the Spanish city of Santiago. A spiritual route but also a journey through evocative places that inspire meditation and introspection. The most famous walk to Santiago is along the French route, which starts in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and covers 800 km.

2. Routeburn Track, New Zealand

A 3-day trek of medium difficulty surrounded by the extraordinary sub-alpine landscape of New Zealand’s South Island. The trail crosses two national parks: Fiordland and Mt Aspiring. From Harris Saddle and Conical Hill you can even glimpse the ocean waves crashing onto the beach. Only a restricted number of people can walk the trail at any time, so you’re advised to seek reliable information before you set off.

3. Grand Italian Trail

Starting from the Grotta Gigante in the province of Sgonico, Trieste, this long trail winds its way around the whole of Italy for 6,166 kilometres. It passes through Liguria, Tuscany, Emilia Romagna, Lazio, Abruzzo, Molise, Campania, Puglia and Calabria, arriving in Sicily then crossing to Sardinia. A long route through landscapes that vary from region to region, with the chance to savour the wonderful natural settings and cultural traditions of Italy.

4. The Inca Trail, Peru

This ancient trail of 33 km was first trodden by the Incas and is now walked by thousands of visitors every year. It connects the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu and winds up, down, and around the mountains, also crossing three high-altitude mountain passes. There are breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains, and walking from one precariously perched ruin to another is inexplicably magical. Each day can see 500 hikers setting off on the trail, who must be accompanied by an authorised guide.

5. Everest Base Camp, Nepal

Reaching an altitude of 5545m at Kala Pattar, this is a three-week long trek that you literally cannot allow yourself to miss. The trail crosses through incredible landscapes, with a continuous coming and going of Sherpas from the Solu Khumbu.

 

 Source:

www.trekking.it

www.lonelyplanetitalia.it

www.gotrekking.it