Safety and hiking code of conduct
For their own safety, any self-respecting hiker subscribes to the “leave no trace” philosophy. To make the most of your hike and to respect the environment, fellow hikers and yourself, please act responsibly on the tracks:
Before you set off , plan your route carefully and always check the weather forecast. If it is raining or if it rained over the past few days, beware! Keep on the trail and stay away from the cliffs.
Keep your eyes open! You will appreciate more the surrounding nature. Thanks to the on-site way-marking, you are bound to enjoy a hassle free hike, but observing and anticipating the path will make it all the easier for you to find your way around.
Do not light a fire under any circumstances. Fires are very common during dry spells and greatly damage the surrounding vegetation.
Do not pick plants, do not take sand with you and make sure you do not leave any traces: please take your garbage back with you.
The perfect hiking outfit
What should you wear? Here are a few tips:
- Let’s start with the most important: wear sturdy hiking boots. This might seem obvious, but you can still see too many people wearing flip-flops trudging along treacherous paths to access secluded beaches. That’s the best way to get blisters. Ouch! Make sure you have appropriate hiking footwear: comfortable, broken-in, ankle-supporting boots. And no skimping on socks! Go for comfortable and breathable hiking socks.
- Choose a light hiking outfit:
– a T-shirt
– shorts or light, hard-wearing walking trousers. The latter is particularly recommended during the summer season as an effective protection against ticks, as well as all year long for the most ticklish of us, since the path occasionally gets narrower and bordered with vegetation.
– Depending on the season, a light sweatshirt or sports jacket.
- There is little shade on the trail, so wear appropriate sun protection with sunglasses and a hat or cap.
- When it rains, wear a waterproof jacket and bring a waterproof cover for your backpack.
Pack light, pack right
You’ll probably want to bring all the essentials without overloading your backpack. Have a look at our list:
- Water galore! Make sure you have enough water supplies. You should bring on average 2 litres of water per person per day. This amount can obviously vary depending on your needs and the temperature.
- Plenty of food. Don’t forget to bring a picnic lunch if necessary, as well as some energy boosters (dried fruit, nuts, cereal bars…): these lightweight snacks will keep your motor running.
- A small first-aid kit, that is, a few basic items to prevent from sunburns and blisters, and to treat minor injuries. There is no need for antivenin, since there are no venomous snakes in Sardinia and scorpions are harmless. However, during the summer months, beware of mosquitoes! Hikers who venture on the seaside are among their favourite preys. Also, watch out for ticks.
- A whistle, just in case – it is best to be prepared.
A headlamp with spare batteries. Again, you may not need it, but better safe than sorry.