Hiking through the woods, climbing a hill, and reaching a lookout point are experiences that stay with a Pathfinder forever. But every great adventure begins before the first step: with planning. Most trail scares don't happen because of rough terrain, they happen because of poor preparation: people who set out without water, without telling anyone, or without checking the weather forecast. The good news is that getting ready is simple. In this guide, you'll learn how to plan your route, pack the right gear, hike as a group safely, care for nature, and know exactly what to do if someone gets lost.
Plan the Trail Before You Lace Up Your Boots
The first principle in any mountaineering manual is the same: plan ahead and prepare. Before setting the date for your adventure, get to know the trail you're going to hike. Look up the name of the place, the distance (in kilometers), how long it usually takes, and the difficulty level, easy, moderate, or hard. Always choose a trail that fits the least prepared person in the group, not the most eager one. For Pathfinder groups with children and teens, start with short, well-marked routes.
Check the weather forecast carefully. ICMBio (Brazil's environmental protection agency) is direct on this point: don't schedule hikes or climbs if rain or storms are forecast. Rain makes rocks slippery, causes rivers to rise quickly, and can turn a calm path into a trap. Also check the sunset time and plan to finish the hike while there's still plenty of daylight left, nobody wants to get caught in the dark in the middle of the woods.
Finally, find out whether the trail is inside a conservation area or park. Many places require advance booking, have set operating hours, or require a certified local guide. Following these rules isn't bureaucracy, it's what keeps you safe and nature protected.
"Don't schedule hikes or climbs if rain or storms are forecast."ICMBio
What to Pack
You don't need expedition gear for a day hike, but a few items are non-negotiable. Start with water: bring 1 to 3 liters per person, depending on the heat and the length of the hike, lack of water is one of the most common causes of feeling unwell on the trail. Add an energizing snack, like fruit, nuts, or cereal bars, to keep your energy up along the way.
Take good care of your feet: wear proper hiking boots or shoes with a non-slip sole and good cushioning, which help prevent sprains and slips. Never debut new footwear on the trail, break shoes in at home first so you don't end up with blisters. Wear light, quick-drying clothes, and always bring a rain poncho or windbreaker, since weather outdoors can change fast.
Round out your pack with a first aid kit (bandages, gauze, antiseptic, adhesive tape, pain reliever, and any personal medication), a flashlight (preferably a headlamp), sunscreen and a cap, insect repellent, a whistle, a charged phone, and a bag to carry your trash back out. One packing tip: a full backpack should weigh, at most, between 10% and 15% of your body weight.
Safety Rules on the Trail
Rule number one is simple: never hike alone. Hiking in a group is both safer and more fun, if someone gets hurt or feels sick, there's someone to help and someone to go for aid. Keep the group together, with an experienced person leading the way up front and another person bringing up the rear, so no one falls behind unnoticed.
Respect the pace of the slowest person. A trail isn't a race: the goal is for everyone to arrive safely, together. Take regular breaks to rest, drink water, and eat a little before you feel thirsty or hungry, by the time thirst kicks in, your body is already dehydrating. On hot days, double down on hydration and make the most of shade during stops.
Always stay on the main trail and don't cut through shortcuts. Leaving the marked path is the easiest way to get lost, and it also damages the vegetation. Pay attention to trail markers (signs, marks on trees and rocks), and if you're unsure which way to go, stop and regroup, don't guess. If the trail has exposed or climbing sections, take it slow and always keep three points of contact (two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand).
"A trail isn't a race: the group's pace is the pace of whoever walks slowest."Trail proverb
Care for Nature: Leave No Trace
A good Pathfinder leaves nature the way they found it, or even better. This idea has a name and a method: the Leave No Trace principles, a set of low-impact best practices adopted by hikers worldwide, including the Scout Movement in Brazil.
The best-known rule is also the most important one: whatever you brought in, take back out. That includes packaging, food scraps, cigarette butts, and even fruit peels, yes, a banana peel takes months to break down and it attracts animals in the meantime. That's why a trash bag is a mandatory item in your pack. Never bury or burn trash on the trail.
Round it out by taking care of the rest: always walk on the existing trail to avoid causing erosion, leave rocks, plants, and flowers where they are ("take only photographs, leave only footprints"), observe animals from a distance and never feed them, human food changes wildlife behavior. And respect other hikers: avoid unnecessary noise and be courteous to anyone you cross paths with.
What If Someone Gets Lost?
Even with every precaution, someone can get separated from the group. The golden rule of rescue is a single one, and it's worth memorizing: stop moving immediately. Continuing to walk aimlessly takes you farther from the known route and makes it harder for search teams to find you. Stop, take a deep breath, and stay calm.
After stopping, take stock of what you have: water, food, phone, and warm clothing. Try to call for help, in Brazil, the Fire Department can be reached at 193, and report the trail name and your approximate location. Use a whistle in sequences of three blasts (the universal distress signal) along with short shouts: sound travels farther and tires you out less than wandering around. Stay in a visible spot and, if possible, somewhere more open.
If rescue may take a while and night is approaching, prepare while there's still daylight: set up a simple shelter protected from rain and wind, and prioritize staying dry and warm. In the dark, everything becomes harder, which is why these steps should be taken early. And remember: all of this becomes much easier when, before you left, someone outside the group already knew exactly where you were headed and what time you'd be back.