Safety considerations

Mountain does not allow for improvisation: even for a simple walk, every detail must be carefully planned. During the guided tours, you will be accompanied by authorized and certified Alpine Guides, highly qualified professionals with in-depth knowledge of the area. Whether you choose a self guided tour or to join a guided group departure, it is essential to be aware of some basic safety rules. Safety must always be the priority, regardless of the difficulty level of the route.

1. TRIP PLANNING

First step: CHOOSING THE CORRECT ITINERARY
The first rule is: choose your itinerary wisely. It is essential to select a route that is appropriate for your physical abilities and experience level. If this is your first experience, it is advisable to choose simple hikes on well-trodden paths. For those with more experience, more challenging routes can be considered. Crucial factors to consider include the elevation gain (how much you ascend each day), the duration of the hike, and the distance covered. Walking in the mountains requires more effort than covering long distances on a cycle path, as progress is slower and physically demanding. Some key questions to ask before embarking on a hike include: how many legs does the route involve? How many hours of walking are needed each day? Am I capable of handling the expected elevation gain?
Considering these factors is essential, whether you decide to join a guided group or choose to tackle the route on your own. To get a clearer idea of the difficulty level of the tours we offer, we invite you to visit the "Tour Ratings" page, where you will find all the necessary information.

Second step: EXPLORE THE ITINERARY
If you choose a self-guided tour, it is very important to study your itinerary on the map before starting the hike. Campo Base provides its guests with a detailed itinerary for each day of the hike, along with specialized 1:25,000 paper maps of the area and electronic maps that include satellite navigation features. The itinerary provides information on all the trails to follow, including details such as elevation gain and loss, the distance covered, and the estimated walking time for each stage. Every morning before setting off, it is essential to be familiar with the itinerary for the day. Pay particular attention to points such as intersections with other trails, distance, elevation gain, terrain type (forest, rocky areas, meadows), and the location of huts or rest areas along the way.

2. CHECK THE WEATHER FORECAST

Before embarking on a multi-day tour, it is very important to know the climate of your destination: what types of temperatures you may encounter, or if the area is prone to frequent rain or drier conditions. This information helps you choose the appropriate equipment and plan your tour effectively.
Once at your destination, it is crucial to monitor the weather forecast daily and decide when to start your hike, how to equip yourself, and how much water and food to carry.
On sunny days with high temperatures, it is essential to carry enough water and food. It is recommended to drink frequently, ensuring you consume at least two liters of water per day. It’s also important to protect your head with a hat or bandana, apply sunscreen regularly—especially on sensitive skin—and wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.
When temperatures are low, it’s best to wear technical clothing in layers, which allows you to adjust your body temperature during the hike. Remember, dehydration can occur even in cold conditions, so it should never be underestimated, even at high altitudes.
In the mountains, weather conditions can change suddenly, with dense fog, strong gusts of wind, or unexpected storms. To minimize risks, it is important to take some precautions:
- Wear windproof and waterproof technical clothing
- Use equipment suited to the itinerary, its temperature fluctuations, and terrain types
- Avoid equipped trails, metal cables, and via ferratas during storms
- Don’t walk on sections of trail that are too exposed
- Find a sheltered spot to take cover.
- Use shortcuts (planned in advance with a map) to reach a town, hut, or shelter as quickly as possible.

3. EQUIPMENT

Any tour should be approached with proper training and preparation, but most importantly, with the right equipment and clothing suited to the weather forecast, altitude, terrain, and trail difficulty. The most practical approach is to dress in layers, as this allows you to adjust your clothing to the weather conditions and the activity.
Additionally, good footwear, a water bottle, snacks, sunscreen, a first aid kit, and other essential items are a must. You can find a detailed list of these recommendations in our Summer and Winter Gear List section.

4. DAILY ITINERARY PLANNING

In the day-by-day itinerary, we inlcude the estimated time for each leg of the tour. For most routes (level 3), the time is calculated based on an average ascent rate of 300 meters per hour, and the same for descent. Lunch breaks, photo stops, or other pauses are not included, so it's important to carefully plan your day according to your pace.
For a safer and more enjoyable hike, it is advisable to start early in the morning, preferably by 8:00 AM. This way, you can take advantage of the cooler hours of the day, with lower temperatures and a reduced chance of rain. The goal is to reach your hut by 5:00 PM. If you realize you're running late, try to minimize stops and inform the hut manager. In any case, avoid hiking after sunset.
If you lose the trail, turn back and retrace your steps until you find a sign indicating the correct direction. Always follow the trails and directions provided in your itinerary.

5. FLORA AND FAUNA

Every environment is home to local wildlife and plant life, many of which are protected. The fundamental rule that should always guide us is: leave no trace.
Thims mean that you should not leave any trash behind in the environment.In addittion, approaching wild animals, damaging trees and rocks are all actions to be avoided, as they harm the surrounding ecosystem. Observing biodiversity in its natural forms is a privilege we must respect and protect. We should never interfere with plant or animal species, limiting ourselves to respectful and non-invasive observation to ensure that the natural balance is preserved.
The most common animals you may encounter during the hike are roe deer, chamois, foxes, and at higher altitudes, ibex. It is recommended not to approach or feed the animals. You should also know how to behave if you encounter bears or snakes, and what to do if you get bitten by a tick.

Snacks
In the Alps, the viper is present, recognizable by its brownish color and slightly pointed head. Generally, it does not allow itself to be approached and tends to hide when it senses danger. However, if you spot a viper on the trail, let it slide away without touching it.

Ticks
Ticks are very common parasites in our mountains, especially at low and medium altitudes near pastures, where grazing animals are present. They can be quite small but are not invisible to the human eye. They tend to attach to the skin in the more humid and hidden areas. It is advisable to follow a few simple rules to minimize the risk of ticks attaching to your skin:
- Wear light-colored clothing so you can easily spot them
- Wear long pants to cover as much skin as possible, tucking the bottoms into your socks to prevent ticks from easily crawling up your legs.
- Use specific repellents
- Check (or have someone check) your entire body within 24 hours of exposure to nature
- Use appropriate tweezers to remove ticks—do not improvise, but only after learning the correct technique for safe removal.
In case of redness, itching, or if a tick has been attached to your skin for more than 24 hours, it is advisable to schedule a medical visit.

Bears
The bear was reintroduced to Trentino in the 1990s, and the number of individuals currently in the area is concentrated mainly within the regional borders, while it is not widespread across the rest of the Alps.
The possibility of encountering a bear exists, and although it is generally an omnivorous and timid animal, some individuals may become frightened or react unpredictably. To minimize the chances of an encounter with a bear, experts recommend following these rules:
- Do not leave edible traces on the trail (camp away from cooking areas, keep supplies away from sleeping areas)
- While walking, speak loudly or make noise to signal your presence
- In the case of a distant encounter, avoid sudden movements or high-pitched sounds, and slowly and quietly move away
- In the case of a close encounter, follow the above guidelines as best as you can

6. EMERGENCY

In the mountains, anyone, regardless of their level of preparation or experience, can find themselves in a difficult situation and need assistance from the rescue service. It is important to stay calm and not panic.
The first thing to do is assess the situation at the accident site and the incident itself, trying to understand the real and potential dangers. Once you've ensured you are safe, call the rescue service.
When going to the mountains, whether with a guide or alone, it is essential to know the emergency service phone number. The emergency number is 112 in all Alpine countries. Your call will be transferred to the nearest emergency station. If there is no network coverage, you must move to find a signal. If you are in a group, it is important not to leave the person in difficulty alone. If you are two and one is injured, you should administer first aid before moving to another location to call the emergency service.

If an accident occurs in a location only reachable by helicopter, the aircraft will descend as low as possible (it may not always be able to land) and will require assistance from those who made the call. Therefore:
- Move away from the injured person, leaving only one person with the.
- Gather the injured person's personal belongings into a single backpack
- Signal the helicopter with the exact location of the injured person (stand and raise both arms to form a "Y" to indicate "yes, I need help"—if you want to signal "no, do not land here," raise only one arm and keep the other down to form an "N")

Mountain sickness
Additionally, remember that as you gain altitude, the likelihood of experiencing symptoms of altitude sickness increases: headaches, shortness of breath—due to the reduced concentration of oxygen—insomnia, and in more severe cases, coughing and hallucinations.
Knowing the symptoms means not underestimating them and, if they occur, knowing how to react: descend to a lower altitude for immediate relief, drink plenty of water, slow your pace, and breathe steadily and consistently.