By Jim Brown

Your decision to take up hiking involves some basic physical conditioning to get you prepared. Along with this criterion of being basically fit, there are some other things you can do for additional preparedness for hiking. Some sound advice will always keep you in good stead, no matter where you may be hiking - in the Himalayan Mountains or in those in Torrevieja, Spain.

It is important that the soles of your feet are a bit toughened up to prepare them for the hike because you could well be trekking in rough terrain. As much as possible, walk barefoot around the house and your yard. You can consider moving your ‘cardio routine' to the beach, as walking or jogging on sand will help in toughening your soles and loosening up the muscles and ligaments in your feet.

Another ‘essential' is proper foot care. Before you put on your shoes, moisturize your feet and ensure they are dry. Check blog.vacationhawaiihotels.com for foot powder using technique if your feet sweat excessively, as excessive moisture can lead to dry, chafed soles and fungal infections. Your toenails should be trimmed a little below the tip of the toe, but not too short. To reduce the chance of ingrown toenails, cut them straight across, rather than rounded.

Before you endeavor on a long hike, make sure you get your feet treated if they are already in poor condition. Get the calluses and corns removed. Also ensure that fungal problems, if any, on the skin or under the toenails, heal properly; otherwise, it will only worsen the condition making for an uncomfortable hike. Your toenails should be trimmed a little below the tip of the toe, but not too short. To reduce the chance of ingrown toenails, cut them straight across, rather than rounded.

To say the least, blisters on your feet will make hiking uncomfortable. Use bandages or moleskin to cover parts of your feet that are likely to form blisters. If you have blisters while hiking, puncture them with a sterilized needle, and wait for them to heal before you plan another hike. To heal blisters while you are on your hike, keep your feet clean and change the bandages frequently. Get the calluses and corns removed. Also ensure that fungal problems, if any, on the skin or under the toenails and heal properly.

Building up your stamina and strength by making some shorter hikes is a good idea, before you set off on a long hike. You can start by walking a few miles on a well-marked trail, and slowly work your way up. When you can hike longer, fill up your backpack and try hiking with weight on your back. Along with your stamina, your map and compass skills also benefit from these ‘test runs', and will also help you figure out your requirement of water while hiking.

The key to an enjoyable and safe hike is beforehand preparation. For this, take care of your feet, and perform test runs to build up your endurance and stamina. With all this, you are ready for that much-awaited long, exhilarating hike - get set and go!