If you’re looking for travel on a budget that still shows you the best a destination has to offer, then look no further than coastal paths. Options like the UK’s Jurassic coast and Spain’s Almeria Coastal Way, among others, really can make for some of the most spectacular travel experiences you could hope for. Complete with striking landscapes and coastal views you could only dream of, this is the best way to incorporate the beach into your trip without all that boring sunbathing!
As much as you stand to have a lot of fun with hiking holidays like these, though, it does pay to bear in mind that coastal paths show you the extremes any country has to offer. This applies in terms of landscapes, weather, and terrain. Even if you’re used to climbing mountains and navigating sand dunes, coastal paths could prove fatal if you don’t first take the time to consider safety.
That’s why we’ve put together a fool-proof guide on how to protect yourself before you hit those trails this summer.
Book with a tour company
Booking official coastal tours like those offered by the Dublin Tour Company could be your best bet at coming through a trip like this unscathed. Safety in numbers does, after all, provide invaluable, especially on out-of-the-way coastal paths where you might not come across anyone else. Even phone signal can be patchy on routes like these, so knowing there are people around lest anything should happen can be incredibly reassuring.
Always check the tides
Tides are, inevitably, the riskiest thing about coastal paths. While you’ll mostly be walking raised cliffs and the like, the majority of coastal paths do still rely on some beach-based stretches. A failure to check when the tides come in could, therefore, see you stranded. Make sure it doesn’t happen by always checking tides and expected conditions ahead of time. At the very least, this ensures that you can postpone or altogether bypass areas with early tide times that you might not be able to manage on the day.
Be aware of rockfall risks
The risks of beach-based rockfall have made news in horrendous ways over recent years, and this is yet another risk you’ll need to traverse during your hike. Whether you’re elevated on cliff faces or walking on beaches themselves, falling rocks or collapses could see you in peril. In general, staying away from cliff edges or rock faces as much as you can is your best chance at avoiding this. Note, too, that bypassing rocky areas during storms and rainfall is best, as rockfall tends to increase at these times.
Conclusion
When you take care of safety before heading off, coastal walks can be some of the most amazing travel experiences of your life. Nothing’s better for contemplation and quiet than the lapping waves of the most stunning seascapes in the world, after all. Simply keep these pointers in mind, and then head off for a trip you aren’t about to forget in a hurry!
Bonnie is always on the road with some amazing adventures ahead. Her favorite continent is South America and she’s passionate about culture-focused traveling and ethical and sustainable tourism. During her time in university as a research assistant for a sociology professor, she realized she can’t fully understand cultures from a safe distance. She quit her job to become a full-time “voluntourist,” which brings her to places where she can immerse in local communities and support their causes. On top of writing, one of Bonnie’s priorities is offering women advice on how to stay safe while solo backpacking.