Hiking and Tramping Safety: Essential Skills

Many hiking and tramping skills come with practise, but regardless of your experience there are a few key things you can do before you set off, and while you’re on the track, to make your trip safer and more enjoyable.

Choose the Right Track

Know your group: When selecting a route, start by considering the fitness, skills and experience of everyone going.

Understand track categories: NZ uses a national system to grade the level of each track. These help you choose a track that suits everyone’s fitness, skills and experience. Find out more about track categories on the Department of Conservation (DOC) website.

Learn about the location: Consider the terrain and environment. Even short walks can involve steep climbs or knee crunching descents, so know what’s ahead.

Factor in the weather: Even an easy track that is well-graded and maintained can be difficult in bad weather.

Learn Trip Planning

What to do Before Your Hiking or Tramping Trip

Train: Being physically fit for the challenge ahead will help you last the distance and reduce the chance of injuries. You’re also more likely to enjoy the adventure!
Plan your route thoroughly: Talk to your group members, locals and experts, and choose a trip that suits your skills. Excellent sources for local track information include Plan My Walk and DOC visitor centres.
Pack smart: As a group, discuss your clothing and equipment requirements and check everyone has the items they’ll need. Make sure your gear is in good working condition and that everyone knows how to use it. Practice packing your gear before you go so you know it all fits, and adjust your pack so that it fits you comfortably.
Go for a practise walk: Before you set off on your adventure, go for a short test run first. This is an opportunity to adjust your pack, check that your footwear is comfortable and you've got suitable clothing.
Leave early: Give yourself enough time to get to the start of the track and your destination for the day. It’s much safer to get there earlier than be walking in the dark. Regardless, always pack a head torch, just in case.

Learn about Clothing and Equipment

Leave Your Trip Intentions

Sharing your plans with someone is an important part of trip planning, no matter where you’re heading. Things don’t always go as expected, and if no one knows where you are it can make getting help much harder. Letting a trusted contact know your plans is a simple step that can make a big difference in getting home safely.

Plan My Walk makes this easy. Once you’ve finalised your trip plan using helpful prompts, a link will be emailed to both your emergency contact and tramping group. 

Learn about Leaving Trip Intentions

Top Hiking and Tramping Safety Tips

Manage your temperature: Dress with layers and use these to maintain a stable temperature. It’s easier to manage your temperature by taking a layer off or putting one on. Remember, these layers shouldn’t contain cotton. Learn more about clothing
Stick together: This way you’re able to support each other, work together when decisions need to be made, and help each other if the situation changes. Never leave slower or tired group members behind, stick with them and make it there together. Always wait at track junctions to ensure everyone regroups and goes the same way.
Know where you are: Along your trip, take regular breaks to check where you are on the map and what lies ahead. This ensures you’ll keep to your day’s schedule. These breaks are also an opportunity to check in with your group and discuss whether you need to change your plans.
Eat and drink regularly: Regular food and water will help maintain your energy and keep you hydrated.
Maintain your pace: Aim to finish your day at the same speed as you began. This means travelling at a pace that you can maintain comfortably. Watch where you are placing your feet to avoid slips, trips and falls. The tortoise always wins the race!
Keep your emergency communication device handy just in case you need it. Learn more about communications
Be aware of mental shortcuts: Also known as heuristic traps, these are thought patterns that can negatively influence your decision-making. Learn more about mental shortcuts
Approach river crossings with care: Rivers are a significant hazard in the outdoors and crossing a river that doesn’t have a bridge requires careful judgement and skills. Learn more about river safety

Have a Hmmm Hints

Aotearoa has some amazing scenery and hiking or tramping is a great way to see it. However, injuries can happen, and when we get hurt it affects our family, friends, workmates and many others around us too. Before you head out, here are a few tips to help you along the way… First, let’s have a hmmm.

If you’re heading out with a group, think about everyone’s abilities. A walk in the park for you could be a challenge for your mate.
When you are looking at the track options, make sure you consider everyone’s fitness levels and experience in the outdoors.
Ask yourself: How long will it take to complete your trip? Will you be able to finish it during daylight? Is there a river crossing required? If so, do you and your group know how to do that safely?

Find a track to suit you in Plan My Walk

Aotearoa’s weather can change quickly, so it’s important to check the weather before heading out.
Weather can make or break a trip! No matter what the weather is, it will impact your trip so be prepared to encounter anything from sun and dry weather, to rain and wind.
Pay careful attention to weather watches or warnings in the area you’re planning on visiting, and have a plan B if the forecast changes.
When packing, consider all types of weather, and pack emergency items in case something unexpected happens, such as needing to stay out for an extra night. Always take a rain jacket and warm clothes, even on a short walk, and a little extra food on an overnight trip.

Learn about the weather

Before you head out, tell a trusted person where you’re going and when you’ll be back so they can call for help if you’re not back in time.
You can use Plan My Walk to easily do this - once you’ve make a trip plan, send it to group members and trusted contacts, including your emergency contact.
Carry a reliable communication device. In some areas, your mobile phone might be ok, however in areas without mobile coverage you’ll need to take a distress beacon.

Learn about communication device options

Most tramping and hiking injuries are caused by slips and trips. You can prevent these by watching out for uneven ground and tree roots and wearing sturdy footwear for support. Here’s four top tips to preventing these injuries:

Warm up and stretch before you set off
Consider using walking poles
Watch where you place your feet
Take your time over rough or uneven ground, especially heading downhill.

It’s important to stick together and wait for each other when the track goes in different directions, so no one takes a wrong turn.
The best way to enjoy your experience in the outdoors and make it home safely is to look out for one another. Eat, drink and rest, stick with your group and make decisions together.
While on the track, discuss how everyone is feeling. If someone is struggling, have a break and consider changing plans.
Make decisions together. It's important that all group members agree to changes in the planned route or transport arrangements.

MSC is proud to partner with ACC to deliver these important safety messages.

Questions People Ask About Preparing for a Hike or Tramp in NZ

Before setting off, make sure you’re physically prepared for the challenge, plan your route thoroughly, and pack the right clothing and equipment. Always check local track information on Plan My Walk or with DOC visitor centres, and let a trusted person know your plans. Leaving early gives you more time to safely reach your destination without walking in the dark.

Key hiking safety tips include managing your temperature with layers, eating and drinking regularly, sticking with your group, and knowing where you are on the map. Maintain a steady pace to reduce fatigue and slips, and always carry an emergency communication device. Approach river crossings with extreme caution, as rivers are one of the biggest hazards in the outdoors.

When choosing a track, consider everyone’s fitness, experience and ability. A track that’s easy for you may be challenging for someone else. Think about how long it will take, whether you can complete it in daylight, and if there are river crossings or hazards along the way. Use Plan My Walk to find tracks that match your group’s skill level.

New Zealand’s weather can change rapidly, so always check the forecast before you go. Pack warm clothes, a rain jacket, a warm hat and gloves, and emergency supplies such as extra food, even for short trips. Have a plan B in case the weather turns bad, and be prepared for anything from hot sun to heavy rain and strong winds.

What To Do Next

Continue your preparation with our online resources. There is still plenty to learn to ensure a safe and enjoyable trip!

Explore our trip planning resources

Plan My Walk app | Use our free planning tool to choose tracks, get alerts, build a gear list and share your plan
Pack like a pro | Watch our video on to packing, protecting and carrying your gear
Clothing for the outdoors | Watch our video on essential clothing for walks, hikes and tramps
Emergency communications | Find the best emergency communication device for your trip

Read our tramping stories

This page was reviewed and updated October 2025