Explore Safely: Prepare to Hike in Waterville Valley
Waterville Valley has endless miles of hiking trails for all to explore. When hiking, it’s extremely important that you are not only safe on the trails, but properly prepared and knowledgable of the adventure ahead. Whether you are challenging yourself to find the best views or taking a moderately difficult loop within walking distance from the Valley, failing to prepare can result in unfortunate circumstances that can be easily avoided with the guidelines provided by Visit New Hampshire’s “Wildly Responsible“ initiative.
Regardless of the hike you choose to embark on, it is crucial to have a general understanding of the trails you plan to take, and the amount of time the your journey may take. With more information you can easily account for the amount of water, food, supplies, and anything else you will need along the way. Additionally, knowing the weather forecast beforehand is essential so you can pack the right clothing!
Whether you are traveling alone or in a group, it’s important that someone not tagging along is aware of your groups plan and destination, ensuring that if anything were to go wrong, assistance can be provided if necessary. It’s better to be safe than sorry! You won’t always have cell service on the trails, so be sure to have a map to stay on track during your journey.
Hiking in popular areas means you’ll likely encounter other adventurers, and it’s important to be friendly and helpful when needed! You never want to be the reckless or unwelcoming person!
If you plan to adventure with your dog, be sure to keep them from harming the wildlife or others along they way, and pack enough water to share with them! Stop by The Clever Critter in Town Square for anything your four-legged friend may need on your adventure!
At the end of the day, keeping the trails in tip-top shape is the name of the game. While it may sound easy, staying on marked trails and minimizing your environmental impact helps preserve the Valley’s beauty for future generations.
Now that you have the information to be packed, prepared, and safe, there is only one thing left to do: Have fun! Waterville Valley has miles upon miles of hiking and biking trails with incredible views of the Valley and its surrounding peaks. Get out there and explore!
