Safety Guidelines

At Club Hiking in London, safety is the foundation of every walk. Our routes are planned and led with clear procedures so you can enjoy the day with confidence—whether it’s a local UK hike or a multi-day adventure abroad.

By joining an event, you agree to follow the leader’s safety instructions and these guidelines.

1) How we manage safety

• Route planning & risk assessment: We plan routes in advance, considering terrain, daylight, weather, escape options, and group pace.
• Qualified leadership: Every event has a leader responsible for group management and safety decisions.
• First aid & incident response: Leaders carry a first-aid kit and follow a structured approach if someone feels unwell or an incident occurs.
• Flexibility: We may change the route, shorten it, or cancel if conditions make it unsafe.

2) Choosing the right hike for you

Before booking, review the event details and choose a route that matches your fitness and experience:

• Distance, elevation, pace, and terrain type
• Weather exposure (coastal wind, open hills, muddy paths)
• Transport timing (late arrivals can increase risk)

If you have a medical condition, injury, or medication that could affect your participation, please inform the leader at the start of the hike.

3) Mandatory kit (minimum requirements)

Please arrive with the following essential kit:

• Proper footwear: hiking boots or trail shoes with good grip
• Water & food: enough for the full route + snacks
• Waterproof layer: a real rain jacket (UK weather changes fast)
• Warm layers: wind can chill quickly even in mild seasons
• Fully charged phone (and ideally a power bank)
• Personal medication (e.g., inhaler, epipen, etc.)

In winter or short-daylight routes: a headtorch is strongly recommended.

4) Group rules on the trail

• Stay with the group: don’t walk ahead alone or fall behind without telling the leader.
• Follow the leader’s instructions: pace, regroup points, breaks, and safety decisions.
• Tell us early if you feel unwell: small issues become big problems if you wait too long.
• If you decide to leave the hike and return on your own, you must inform the leader. Once you leave the group, you are no longer part of the club activity.

5) Terrain & weather awareness (UK + trips)

• Slips and falls: mud, wet grass, leaves, and rocky paths
• Wind and exposure: especially on ridges and coastal routes
• Road crossings: we cross calmly and together, following the leader
• Cliff edges / steep ground: keep a safe distance, especially in wind
• Livestock & wildlife: keep distance and follow local signage

6) Dogs and children

• Dogs are welcome if they are under control and (when needed) on a lead—especially near livestock, cliff edges, and crowded paths.
• Children are welcome, but under 16s must be accompanied by a responsible adult at all times.

7) If something goes wrong

If you feel unwell, injured, cold, dizzy, or unusually tired:

1. Tell the leader immediately
2. We will stop, assess, and adjust (pace, route, extra layers, food/water, or exit plan)
3. In a serious emergency, we will follow our procedure and contact the appropriate services

8) Photos & privacy

We may take photos and videos during events for club communications. If you prefer not to appear, please tell the leader at the start.

9) Contact

Questions about kit, fitness level, accessibility, or whether a route is right for you? Contact us before the event.