Remember, it’s a good idea to tell friends and family you’re out walking – especially if alone.
Compiled from Ramblers, BMC, National Trust and other British hillwalking sources
Always carry, whatever the season:
| Emergency contact (‘ICE’) card | And let your walking buddy/walk leader know where it is |
| Map and compass | keep the map in a weatherproof case if it isn’t waterproof itself |
| Rucksack | around 20–35 litres for a single day out* (see seasons) |
| Food | Your needs for the day |
| Drink | 2 litres for hot days or longer distances |
| Emergency Rations | Chocolate (unless hot weather), flapjack, multigrain/nutrient bars, easy to digest high calorie or high sugar |
| Comfortable | supportive footwear with good grip – hillwalking boots or hiking shoes |
| Phone (in waterproof bag) or Card/Coins | For emergencies / payphone |
Ramblers, “Packing for your walking holiday”; National Trust, “Guide to hill walking safety and comfort”
Year-Round Core: The Layering System
Hillwalking clothing works as a layering system, since lots of thinner layers are more adaptable than a single thick one:
| Base layer | thin, non-cotton layer worn next to the skin to wick sweat away |
| Mid layer | fleece or similar, keeps you warm and helps transmit excess body heat to the shell |
| Outer shell | waterproof and breathable jacket and trousers, worn for wind and rain protection |
| Insulation layer | an insulated down or synthetic jacket, carried compressed and put on at rest stops or summits |
Ramblers, “What to wear when walking”; Alpkit, “Essential Hill Walking Gear”
Spring & Autumn
Standard base/mid/shell layering as above.
| Waterproof jacket and trousers | carry even if the forecast looks good, since waterproofs double as windproofs |
| Gaiters | keep water and mud out of boot tops on boggy ground |
| A spare insulation layer | such as a microfleece, for hilltop winds |
Ramblers, “What to wear when walking”; Cotswold Outdoor, “The Ultimate Hill Walking Checklist”
Summer
| Full shell layer still worth carrying | even on dry days, wind at altitude can feel chilly |
| Sun Protection | Sun hat, sunscreen and plenty of water in hot, sunny conditions. Sunglasses, since UV exposure is strong even without visible sun |
| Check for ticks | After your walk |
Ramblers, “Top tips for mountain and hill walking”; Cotswold Outdoor, “The Ultimate Hill Walking Checklist”
Winter
| Rucksack | Consider a 40-45l rucksack with a hip belt |
| Boots with good grip | Waterproof or waterproof socks [for use with full crampons, boots must be stiff enough (graded B1–B3 for crampons C1–C3)] |
| Microspikes | or general traction over most footwear; full crampons for steep ground, correctly fitted |
| Spare layers | spare gloves and hats, wind and wet raise hypothermia risk even without snow or ice. Store them in a drybag in your rucksack |
| Energy | more food than usual |
| Ski goggles instead of sunglasses when on snow | for glare protection & to reduce ‘snow blindness’ |
| Ice axe where conditions warrant | seek training before relying on this |
Ramblers, “Hillwalking in winter”; Cotswold Outdoor, “The Ultimate Hill Walking Checklist”
Mountain & Hill Extras (Any Season)
| Rucksack | Rucksack with frame support and hip belt |
| Survival bag | as an emergency item |
| Bothy bag | lightweight group shelter recommended beyond standard country-walk kit |
| Trekking poles | many walkers find these reduce joint impact and soreness |
| Check wind direction and speed | northerly/easterly winds feel colder, and over 40mph makes walking much harder |
Ramblers, “Top tips for mountain and hill walking”; Ramblers, “Packing for your walking holiday”
Sources:
Ramblers, “What to wear when walking” – ramblers.org.uk/go-walking-hub/what-wear-when-walking
Ramblers, “Top tips for mountain and hill walking” – ramblers.org.uk/go-walking-hub/top-tips-mountain-and-hill-walking
Ramblers, “Hillwalking in winter” – ramblers.org.uk/go-walking-hub/hillwalking-winter
Ramblers, “Packing for your walking holiday” – walk.ramblers.org.uk/travel/packing-for-your-walking-holiday
British Mountaineering Council, “What to wear and what to take when hill walking” – thebmc.co.uk
National Trust, “Guide to hill walking safety and comfort” – nationaltrust.org.uk
Cotswold Outdoor, “The Ultimate Hill Walking Checklist” – cotswoldoutdoor.com
Alpkit, “Essential Hill Walking Gear” – alpkit.com/blogs/spotlight/hillwalking-kit-list