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Walkabout Scotland

Top Tips To Handling Muddy Trails

Here are some top tips for handling even the muddiest conditions on your Spring walks.

Spring has arrived, and with it also comes warmer weather as well as the chance of drizzle.

Walking trips in Scotland are equal parts bracing and breathtaking, and one consideration you may need to make is ensuring you are prepared in case it suddenly rains or has recently rained and made the trail rather muddy.

Here are some top tips for handling even the muddiest conditions.

Be Prepared

Having the right equipment is key for any walk and it should be ready for any type of weather.

Invest in a solid pair of waterproof hiking boots that will let you cross puddles and stay on the trail.

A set of trekking poles can also be really useful as they help check the depth of puddles and take a lot of impact off of your knees when you hike. It can even be beneficial for your heart.

As well as this, pack waterproof trousers to avoid mud splashing onto your legs.

Don’t forget to pack some plastic bags to put your boots in after the trip is done.

Start Early

With morning temperatures being colder than they are at midday and in the early afternoon, mud tends to hold together better in the morning.

As the days get longer, this is also a great way to get the trail mostly to yourself and make great progress.

Stick To The Trail

In an era where we are very conscious of our effects on nature, it is important to avoid stepping off the beaten path to make sure to avoid erosion of paths and potential ecological damage.

If people walk around mud puddles, it can cause them to get bigger, making them more difficult to fix, so try to stay on the trail path as much as possible.