Panoramaweg Südalpen, entire route

Safety instructions

As an outdoor sport, mountain hiking offers great opportunities for health, community, and adventure. The following recommendations from alpine clubs are intended to help make mountain hikes as safe and enjoyable as possible.

1. Staying Healthy in the Mountains
Mountain hiking is an endurance sport. The positive physical challenges it poses for the heart and circulatory system require good health and a realistic assessment of one’s own abilities. Avoid rushing and choose a pace so that no one in the group gets out of breath.

2. Careful Planning
Hiking maps, guidebooks, the internet, and experts provide information on distance, elevation gain, difficulty, and current conditions. Always tailor your route to the group! Pay special attention to the weather forecast, as rain, wind, and cold increase the risk of accidents.

3. Complete Gear
Tailor your gear to your outing and keep your backpack as light as possible. Protection against rain, cold, and sun should always be in your backpack, as should a first-aid kit and a cell phone (European emergency number 112). A map or GPS helps with navigation.

4. Proper footwear
Good hiking boots protect your feet, reduce strain, and improve your footing! When choosing boots, look for a perfect fit, a non-slip treaded sole, waterproofing, and a lightweight design.

5. Surefootedness is key
Falls resulting from slipping or tripping are the most common cause of accidents! Keep in mind that walking too fast or being tired can severely impair your surefootedness and concentration. Watch out for rockfall: By walking carefully, you can avoid dislodging rocks.

6. Stay on marked trails
In unmarked terrain, the risk of getting lost, falling, and rockfall increases. Avoid taking shortcuts and return to the last known point if you stray from the trail. Often underestimated and very dangerous: steep old snowfields!

7. Take regular breaks
Timely breaks allow you to rest, enjoy the scenery, and socialize. Food and drink are necessary to maintain performance and concentration. Isotonic drinks are ideal for quenching thirst. Granola bars, dried fruit, and cookies satisfy hunger while on the go.

8. Responsibility for Children
Keep in mind that variety and playful exploration are the top priorities for children! In sections with a risk of falling, one adult can supervise only one child. Very exposed routes that require sustained concentration are not suitable for children.

9. Small Groups
Small groups ensure flexibility and allow for mutual assistance. Inform trusted individuals of your destination, route

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and return time. Stay together as a group. Warning to solo hikers: Even minor incidents can lead to serious emergencies.

10. Respect for Nature and the Environment
To protect the mountain environment: Do not leave trash behind, avoid making noise, stay on the trails, do not disturb wildlife or grazing animals, leave plants untouched, and respect protected areas. Use public transportation or carpool to get there. 

Equipment

For the Southern Alps Panorama Trail, “standard” gear for alpine hikes on unpaved and sometimes rocky trails in the Southern Limestone Alps is sufficient. Sturdy footwear with a good tread for unpaved trails is, however, a “must,” and bringing telescoping hiking poles to take some of the strain off your knees during the sometimes longer descents is recommended. In summer, good sun protection and plenty of water are very important (there aren’t places to stop for refreshments on every stage). Sufficient warm clothing for possible sudden changes in weather is also important, even in the height of summer. For all mountain huts along the trail, you must also bring a hut sleeping bag and a towel. 

Packing List – Multi-Day Hike

Tips

Discover the unique characteristics of each region!

Literature

Compass - Panorama Trail Southern Alps No. 218