Hiking skills and capability development

Assess your hiking skill level and match it to Australia’s official AWTGS grades. Learn to choose the right trails for a safe, enjoyable bushwalking adventure.

Learn essential hiking skills for safe and confident walking, including navigation, self-reliance, weather awareness, first aid, and more for your next adventure.

Master essential knots for hiking with this guide. Learn how to tie reef, clove hitch, bowline, prusik, and more for securing gear and ensuring safety on the trail.

Learn how to hike downhill safely with practical advice on step control, posture, knee protection, poles, and managing fatigue on steep descents.

Learn how to hike safely on sand with practical advice on pacing, footwear, hydration, dunes, and coastal conditions to reduce fatigue and manage risk.

Learn how to move safely on scree slopes, including foot placement, descent control, balance techniques, and when to slow down or turn back.

Learn safe techniques for hiking on snow, including step kicking, timing, snowshoes, crampons, and managing risk on firm or icy alpine terrain.

Learn how to hike uphill more efficiently with practical advice on pacing, posture, step length, breathing, poles, and safety for steep terrain.

Learn when hiking poles actually help, how to use them effectively, and common mistakes to avoid, with practical advice for Australian hiking conditions.

Discover the path to becoming a more proficient hiker. Learn how to gradually increase your hiking skills and tackle more challenging terrain safely.

Learn how to find water on a hike, including common sources, seasonal reliability, landscape clues, and safety considerations when water is uncertain.

Learn how to lace hiking boots to reduce heel lift, foot pain, and discomfort. Practical lacing techniques to enhance fit and performance on the trail.

Learn how to safely light and extinguish a campfire, understand park rules, and reduce bushfire risk while camping and hiking.

Learn how to manage hydration during a hike with practical advice on when to drink, recognising early warning signs, and avoiding dehydration or overhydration.

Learn how to predict weather from cloud types. Identify cirrus, cumulus, and other clouds to stay prepared for changing weather conditions on your hike.

Prepare for an alpine climb with essential tips on altitude acclimatisation, weight training, nutrition, and mental preparedness to ensure a successful ascent.

Learn how to safely navigate muddy trails with expert tips on footwear, balance, hiking poles, and reducing the risk of injury in slippery conditions.

Learn the essential survival priorities for hiking in Australia, including the Big 5: water, warmth, shelter, signals, and food, plus the Rule of Threes.

Learn how observation improves hiking safety and navigation, helping you spot trail markers, hazards, landmarks, and stay oriented on the trail.

Learn practical techniques for hiking uphill and downhill, including stride control, posture, pacing, and pole use to reduce fatigue and protect your knees.

Learn how to assess river crossing risk, recognise when not to cross, and use safe techniques to manage water hazards while hiking.

Learn essential rock scrambling techniques, including balance, foot placement, and risk awareness, to move safely over rocky terrain without climbing gear.

Learn how to safely navigate boulder fields with proper technique, balance, and risk awareness. Essential tips for avoiding injury in alpine and rocky environments.

Learn how to set a sustainable hiking pace using rhythm, breathing, and terrain awareness to reduce fatigue and improve safety on the trail.

Trail braiding damages tracks and ecosystems. Learn what causes trail braiding, why it matters, and how hikers can help prevent it.

Learn when and how an ice axe is used for hiking in Australia’s alpine regions, including its purpose, limits, and the skills required to use it safely.

Learn how to purify water for hiking, including boiling, filters, and chemical treatment, with clear guidance on limitations and emergency decision making.

Discover why improvisation is a vital hiking skill. Learn how adapting to unexpected situations like weather, injuries, and gear failures can keep you safe and successful.