FAQs

ESSENTIALS:
Please note: A detailed ‘Recommended Equipment List’ for your region of your hike will be included in your walking pack.

WATERPROOF JACKET AND OVER-TROUSERS – You never know when you will need protection from wind and rain – so prepare for unpredictable weather by packing a waterproof, breathable jacket and over-trousers. You may not need them, but you will be happy to have them if you do.

BASE LAYER – This is what you wear against your skin and the best options are breathable and wicking fabrics instead of cotton. They will move moisture away from the skin so that you feel more comfortable when you are walking. For hiking in Spain & Portugal, for those hotter months, you may also want to consider shirts that offer UV protection, possibly with long sleeves to protect your skin from the sun.

FLEECE – A lightweight fleece will keep you warm in the cooler months and at higher elevations or more exposed areas.

LIGHT AND COMFORTABLE TROUSERS – Make sure you choose trousers or leggings that are stretchy or allow enough space to move your legs freely. Zip-off trousers or shorts can be a great idea for the warmer months. However, many people prefer long trousers that protect you from the sun or overgrown vegetation. They can also help in sections with deep sand to keep the sand out of the boots. Jeans / Denims are not suitable for long distance hiking.

WICKING SOCKS – Choose non-cotton socks that fit well and will move moisture away from your feet to stop them feeling sweaty. Some people wear two pairs: a sock liner against the skin and wool or wool-blend socks over that. This will help to reduce the likelihood of blisters and ‘hot spots’.

• • Our tip: Apply a little Vaseline or a similar anti-blister ointment underneath your socks, to reduce rubbing and blisters.

FOOTWEAR – We recommend you bring comfortable, waterproof, lightweight shoes or boots, that provide good ankle support and offer good grip on rock, grass, sand and mud. Depending on the typical climate of the country, it’s regional location, and the hiking trail itself, the terrain and condition underfoot can vary greatly.

• If you are taking a walking tour in the Burren, the West of Ireland, Dingle or on the Great Glen Way for example, we recommend you choose your footwear carefully and bring something suitable for prolonged sections of hiking on asphalt or hard packed dirt.
• Many walkers find hiking shoes sufficient and often more comfortable for the Speyside Way & Cairngorms, and for walkers hiking the asphalt section from Callander to Lochearnhead on the Rob Roy Way
• For the South Downs Way we recommend good soles to help with sections of exposed flint stones. Some walkers bring both light shoes AND boots to be prepared for different terrain.
• For the Camino Frances we recommend you bring comfortable, waterproof, lightweight shoes or boots.
• Many walkers find good-quality trainers with thick soles can be sufficient for the Fishermen’s Trail in Portugal. However, for early spring and autumn, you may also wish to consider waterproof footwear. Furthermore, the Fishermen’s Trail often follows paths and tracks with deep, fine sand. This can get into your footwear which can become very irritating or even lead to rubbing and blisters. For this reason, some hikers prefer to bring ankle high boots, even though they are generally warmer than lower cut hiking shoes.

• • Our tip: If you buy new boots or shoes for your holiday, make sure to try them out on one or two longer walks before your hiking tour!

GAITERS / SAND GAITERS – By covering your upper boot and lower leg these help to keep your feet and trousers dry in wet grass and boggy terrain or free of sand. We recommend you bring gaiters especially for our tours along the western coast of Ireland and the Cotswolds Way, but they are are a good thing to have on your feet wherever the ground gets especially wet. Some people use short, waterproof gaiters, but for coastal trails such as the Fishermen’s Trail where there is very fine sand, you can also get sand gaiters that are made from light fabric and specifically made for this kind of walking. Alternatively, we have seen walkers that cut up old socks and used the upper part of the sock like a gaiter over the boot.

BACKPACK / RUCKSACK (with Waterproof Cover or liner) – To store all your essentials and keep them dry – including extra layers of clothing, your waterproofs, sun protection, first aid kit, camera and your lunch, snacks and drinks. A backpack / rucksack size of around 20 litres is usually good for day hikes.

Don’t forget how important it is to stay hydrated and bring at least 1 – 2 litres of water per person each day, depending on the weather!

SUN CREAM, SUNGLASSES AND SUNHAT – Sun protection is essential, especially in the summer months and in countries with a typically sunny climate.

WARM HAT & GLOVES – They can be essential on many hiking trails, even in the summer, at higher altitudes and at exposed places.

CASH – While it has become much easier to use credit / debit cards and contactless payment, ATM/cash machine & credit card services are still be limited in some locations. It is therefore important that you carry enough money in cash to pay for services between the larger settlements, especially for smaller shops and cafes and for tips in restaurants. (Refer to your walking pack for more details).

FIRST AID KIT – It’s a good idea to have a small, basic first aid kit to deal with little injuries such as sprains, scrapes, cuts and blisters. Good things to bring are plasters & wound dressings, sterile cleansing wipes, pain killers, tweezers (for splinters & ticks), bandages, and zinc oxide tape, elastoplast tape (for blisters or sprains) or blister plasters (such as COMPEED).

WHISTLE / TORCH / HIGH VISIBILITY VESTS – This standard piece of hiking equipment is for the very unlikely event you need to signal for help (the standard whistle signal is three long blasts) or if your walk takes longer than expected and you end up walking in the dark. In addition, many trails, particularly in Ireland, have sections that follow roads. For those hikes you may wish to bring a High Visibility Vest which will increase your visibility, especially in bad weather or if it gets dark when your walk takes longer than expected.

PLUG ADAPTER (/CONVERTER) –

• For Ireland & the UK: 3 square pin plugs are used in Ireland and the UK – voltage is 230V.
• For Spain & Portugal: The power plugs used in Spain & Portugal are of the type F electrical plug (also known as a Schuko plug) which is used in many European countries. It has two 4.8mm round pins spaced 19mm apart – the standard voltage is 230V.

MOBILE PHONE / CELL PHONE –

We strongly recommend that you bring or purchase a mobile/cell phone. It will allow you to contact your accommodation and transfer providers from the trail and call for help in an emergency.

• Visitors from European Countries: European mobile phone users can generally use ‘roaming’ in other European Countries without additional costs. As it stands many European network operators also don’t charge for roaming in the UK (Scotland, England, Wales & Northern Ireland), but please check this with your operator before you travel for further information and best rates.
• Visitors from the United States, Canada and elsewhere: Make sure that you have a GSM/UMTS phone compatible with European networks and a roaming service / suitable phone plan for the country you are travelling to.

If your phone is unlocked and GSM/UMTS compatible, you can often purchase a SIM card from a variety of mobile phone stores and supermarkets in the country of your tour and use it in your own phone.

Alternatively, you can purchase a cheap pre-pay phone when you arrive. It is often possible to buy a very basic pre-pay phone for as little as €20 or £15. You can then top-up with vouchers or a credit/debit card.

If you phone supports digital eSIM cards, you may be able to purchase a separate plan from your phone network provider for use abroad or a prepaid plan from local network provider in your destination country.

To make international calls in Europe you must dial 00 as the international access code (and not 011 as in the US or Canada). If you are dialling from a cell phone, enter + instead of 00, or simply hold down the 0.

Make sure your phone is fully charged before you start your walk. Please note that you might not always have a phone signal on the trail but, in general, the level of coverage should be quite good.

If you have a smartphone, we recommend you have a mapping app like Google Maps installed and your location/GPS service turned on. This will let us better help you should you need assistance while on the trail by identifying your location.

ADDITIONAL SUGGESTIONS:

MIDGE / INSECT REPELLENT & MIDGE NET – good to have if you need it.

• • Our tip: Smidge – a product developed in Scotland and considered the UK’s #1 Midge Repellent Spray.

CAMERA – Vital for capturing photos of the stunning scenery along your trip, which help you brag to your friends about your holiday.

COMPASS – A compass (and the ability to use it) is a good idea but not generally a requirement for our tours.

WALKING POLES – Assist forward movement, reduce impact on your knees, and help with balance in difficult terrain. Some walkers find it also helps them with the deep sand. A pair is best but many hikers also just use one.

EARPLUGS – We know how important it is to get a good night’s rest. However, as there may be other guests in the guesthouse with different plans for their night, we recommend bringing a pair of earplugs to ensure sweet dreams!

SWIMMING EQUIPMENT – For our coastal hiking trails, a swimsuit or swimming togs and a lightweight towel should be in your bag if you want to stop for swims along your hikes (or at your accommodation where a pool might be present, in particular for our tours in Portugal). However, remember that this is the Ocean – please adhere to any signs / warnings at beaches, beware of strong currents, and don’t venture out too far!