Pre-Hike Prep Guide: What to Do Before You Hit the Trail

At Diamonds, our training is about more than just getting you physically ready to carry a pack over long kilometres. It is also about developing the mindset of knowing you are well prepared. That means making smart, considered decisions and being diligent before you even step out onto the track, so you can hike with confidence, capability and safety.

Here is a simple, practical checklist you can skim, save, or revisit before your next hike.

Tell Someone Your Plans

Before you head out, always let someone know:

  • Where you are going and which tracks you plan to take

  • Who you are hiking with, or that you are hiking alone

  • When you expect to return

  • Extra tip: For longer or remote hikes, consider lodging a trip intention form, such as with NSW National Parks. If something goes wrong, your details are then readily available to emergency services.

Know Your Exit Points

A little situational awareness builds confidence on the trail. Be familiar with:

  • Alternative exit routes

  • Road access points or trailheads

  • Water refill locations or shelters

  • Any current track closures or alerts

Water and Extra Food Are Non‑Negotiable

Always take more than you think you will need:

  • A minimum of 2 litres of water, with more for heat or longer hikes

  • Extra snacks and nutrition such as electrolytes, fruit, or bars

Fuel and hydration are safety tools, not just comfort items.

Smart Essentials for Your Pack

Keep your kit simple but purposeful:

  • Fully charged phone

  • Power bank

  • Appropriate first aid kit

  • Sunscreen and hat

  • A spare warm or waterproof layer

  • A navigation app with offline access

  • Headlamp or torch

Handy Apps to Have Installed

Weather and hazard awareness

  • BOM Weather for forecasts, radar, and warnings

  • Hazards Near Me NSW for real‑time fire, flood, and safety alerts

Emergency and safety

  • Emergency Plus to share your GPS location with emergency services

  • what3words to pinpoint your exact location (also incorporated into the emergency plus app)

First aid

  • Australian Red Cross First Aid

  • Australian Bites and Stings

Navigation and offline maps

  • MAPS.ME for simple offline maps

  • AllTrails for trail information and navigation

  • Avenza Maps for offline topographic maps

  • Gaia GPS for route planning and tracking

  • Topo GPS for government map access

Charge Everything the Night Before

  • Phone fully charged

  • Power bank ready

  • Headlamp or torch charged

  • GPS watch charged if you use one

Final Morning Check Before You Leave

Before walking out the door:

  • Check BOM Weather for heat, wind, or storms

  • Check Hazards Near Me NSW for alerts

  • Check NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for track updates if applicable

Final Thoughts

Strong hiking habits start long before the trailhead. Whether you train with Diamonds or head out solo, preparation is what allows you to fully enjoy the experience while managing risk. Being physically ready matters, but being informed, fuelled, and equipped is what helps you return safely, confident, and keen for the next adventure.

Michele Michel