Recommendations
   
General Recommendations

9 simple behavioural rules in the natural environment:

• Maximize precautions with fire; do not make fire, do not throw away cigarette butts still burning, either when driving or walking. Fire is one of the greatest enemies of nature and can destroy in minutes what took hundreds of years to take place. Devote some time to reflect about this.

• Do not soil the environment. Nature recycles its own waste but cannot absorb the waste human beings generate. Never leave rubbish behind, take it where there are litter cans or a garbage collection service.

• Nature demands a great respect, plants, wildlife and all that surrounds them are more fragile than they look. We can make disappear highly-valuable species with small gestures and jeopardize the heritage of these wonders to our future. Do not pick up plants; do not disturb wildlife with loud noises. These are some of the things to avoid that can be summarised with the following statement: “try to leave everything as it was and go unnoticed in nature as much as you can”.

• Respect fountains, streams, and water beds. Do not dump in them any kind of liquid that may harm these fragile ecosystems.

• Free camping is forbidden in the Valencian Community. Camp only in places with camping areas. Remember that so as to camp in specific places you need a permit issued by the relevant Authorities (town councils, the Valencian Community Environment Department).

•Don’t get out of the established trails. Respect the paths - shortcuts are only good to spoil the soil and create ravines that increase erosion and wash away the original trail.

• Respect the farming lands the trail runs across. Never tread sown or farming fields.

• Avoid using the car in the natural environment as much as you can. Use it when absolutely necessary. Don’t get out of the roads. Avoid driving on the paths and if you do, do it slowly and don’t get away from them. Do not forget that cars also produce noise pollution.

• Have in good keeping all those items you find in nature and which are meant for its enjoyment such as shelters and refuges, picnic areas, etc.

Training and equipment to trek along a trail

Trekking is an activity suitable for the whole family, which can be done at any age, almost without limitations. However, it always needs a minimum physical capacity, not beyond an optimum mobility, and the capacity of walking for a given time on the mountain. It is always necessary to choose a suitable trail for the trekker’s physical shape.

Before starting on a trail, it is very advisable to do a series of stretching movements to get the body ready for the exercise to carry out; this way we can avoid muscular pains, sprains, etc.

A trekker’s equipment is linked to a series of factors such as the length to be covered, its duration, the climate, the unevenness of the soil, its height…

Footwear is the most important thing in a trekker’s equipment. It must be suitable footwear for the mountain. Even if the difference in prices and qualities is large, boots are considered essential as they hold your feet and your ankles better, and account for a firm grip on the soil. They are usually good insulators for wet. Footwear quality is very important, as all the body weight rests on the feet.

Clothes must enable great mobility when walking; we must avoid tight clothes as much as we can because they limit walking and can produce uncomfortable blisters. An important part of the outfit is socks. Quality socks will prevent feet from getting cold and will keep them dry. There are plenty of materials for their manufacture; it is up to everyone to choose. It is important to take a change of socks in case the ones we wear get wet.

If the trail is to be trekked in winter season or in times of great climate instability, it is necessary to be provided with warm clothes and a mackintosh, which will free us from rain and cold winds. Warm clothes have to be preferably light, allowing optimal perspiration and not letting cold air inside.

Another essential element in the trekker’s outfit is the cap, hat or scarf to cover the head with from the glare, avoiding this way dehydration and sunstroke.

The backpack is one essential element for the trekker, as it can hold a series of indispensable items for a good hike day.

There are countless models with different capacities, with a larger or lower number of compartments or pockets. The choice of one or the other depends on the length of the trail and the load meant to carry. It is advisable that the backpack should be adapted to the activity we mean to carry out, and we should avoid taking school backpacks or handbags not suitable for the mountain. The weight of the backpack must be well distributed, and the backpack should be hung at the back by two straps or handles.

Other important elements not to forget:

Water reserves: a vital element when making physical efforts. In this sense, the saying “it's better to have too much than too little” becomes a true fact. We must foresee how much water we will need depending on how hard the route is and the time we are going to spend on the mountains. We must drink water during the hike to keep the body hydrated, thus preventing the predicaments incurred by lack of water in the body. To carry the water, we will use canteens and thermos flasks - the latter enable to carry hot water or other drinks (brews, broth…), a very useful resource in the chilliest days.

We also have to foresee how much food to take away depending on the length of the hike, such as energy, easily digestible food; and we must avoid large meals. Fruit, chocolate bars, nuts and dried fruit, energy bars, are typical food for a hike day. Food is to be taken all along the route so as to give the body the necessary drive.

The sun can also be quite annoying along the route, and therefore it is necessary to protect oneself with high factor sun protection, as the incidence of the sun’s rays is usually higher on the mountains. Approved sun glasses will also help us protect our eyes from the dust of the route. A lip protector is also welcome.

A small first aid kit can also be very helpful in slight accidents that may take place on the mountains, a scratch, a burn… can be easily solved and in this way, the hike can be improved.

It is extremely important to know the area where we are going to walk. That is why we have to have a map of the area - the more detailed the better - and study it prior to the excursion. If you know how to use it, a compass is always helpful.

It is always advisable to consult the responsible body for the trail in order to obtain information about its state, pick up leaflets for its detailed tour, topography and pieces of advice to do it.

Other elements:
Should the tour be longer than a day and should we mean to halt to spend the night on the way, we will need to take a sleeping bag adapted for the mountain in the backpack, as well as a tent and a mat or some kind of thermal isolation - the entire set depending on the climate, the height of the site, etc.

Walking sticks to hike on the mountain, to relieve part of the weight onto the higher limbs.  

A torch, to light tunnels or caves, and when it grows dark or to do signals in case of emergency.

A mobile phone, to alert rescue teams in case of emergency.

A camera, to take home the most beautiful sites in the province.