SAFETY MATTERS

Safety comes first at Greco Hiking! Explore our 'Safety Matters' section for essential tips, guidelines, and measures to ensure your hiking adventures are secure, enjoyable, and worry-free.

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​Mountains do not permit improvisation, even on a simple walk. When embarking on a hiking trip, understanding the fundamental safety rules is crucial. Our mountain leaders are trained professionals having followed multiple training classes and with extensice experience on mountainous terrain.  Most of our mountain leaders have grown up or live in the region where they now work, making them among the most knowledgeable about the area. Whether you join a private guided group or opt for a self-guided hike, it is essential to be familiar with the basic emergency protocols. To ensure our guests' safety, we have established internal safety rules and guidelines.

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1. Understand your Itinerary

We highly recommend familiarizing yourself with your itinerary on the map before setting out on your hike. Greco Hiking  provides guests with a detailed, step-by-step itinerary for each day. Upon request and at a very small cost we could provide specialized paper maps of the area and electronic map applications with satellite navigation capabilities. These detailed itineraries outline the paths necessary for safely hiking from the trailhead to your destination, including information on cumulative ascent and descent, distance, and estimated hiking time.

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It's crucial to review the day's itinerary before leaving your accommodation in the morning. Key details to focus on include trail intersections, distance, altitude changes, terrain type (forest, rocky areas, meadows), and the availability of huts or shelters along the route.

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2. Check the Weather Forecast

The day before your hike, it is vital to check the weather forecast. This will help you decide when to start your hike, what gear to bring, and how much food and water to carry. In hot, sunny conditions, it's important to drink enough water and electrolytes to stay hydrated. Additionally, you should protect your head and eyes from the intense sun at high altitudes by wearing sunglasses, a cap, and applying sunscreen to exposed skin.

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One crucial aspect of mountain weather forecasts is the Freezing Level or Zero-degree Isotherm. By knowing the highest altitude on your route, you can determine whether temperatures at that altitude will approach 0°C. For example, if the freezing level is at 3,000 meters and your route reaches 2,800 meters, you may encounter temperatures close to 0°C. This means that precipitation could be snow at 2,600 meters, and trails may become icy in the morning even in clear weather.

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If the forecast predicts continuous thunderstorms starting in the morning, please discuss it with your Mountain Leader to assess whether changing the itinerary would be safer.

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3. Choose the Right Clothes and Equipment

When embarking on a multi-day hiking tour, it's crucial to dress appropriately and carry the necessary equipment, taking into account the expected weather, altitude, terrain, and trail difficulty. Your clothing and footwear should be comfortable and provide safety in various weather conditions. A practical way to dress is to layer your clothing, with a base layer that wicks sweat away, a midlayer that retains body heat, and an outer layer that protects against rain and wind. This layering system allows you to adjust your clothing based on weather conditions and activity levels. Don't forget to bring essential items such as sturdy hiking boots, a water bottle, snacks, sunscreen, and a first aid kit. For more detailed recommendations, check out our Info: Clothing and Gear section.

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4. Plan Your Daily Itinerary (self - guided tours, upon request)

In the itinerary and instructions we provide you with, you will find an estimated hiking time for each daytime trek. On most routes, it is based on a maximum pace of ascent of 300 m per hour and same pace of descent. The estimated hiking time does not include stops for lunch, photography and other possible stops, thus we recommend planning your day carefully depending on your walking pace.

 

In Greece's typical weather conditions, it is optimal start the hike early in the morning. We recommend starting no later than 8 am. It will allow you to hike in the morning hours when the sun is not too strong and the probability of rain storms is relatively low. We recommend reaching your destination hut by 5:00 pm. If you are running late, we recommend minimizing the number of stops, and you shall remember to notify the hut custodian directly or via Greco Hiking. In any case, we hope you have a great time hiking in Greece!

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5. Treat Wildlife with Respect and Exercise Caution

To preserve and protect the delicate mountain environments, it's crucial to leave no trace of your presence when visiting. Please carry all your rubbish back down to the villages and avoid leaving organic waste that can disrupt the natural diets of local animals and birds. Also, refrain from collecting flowers, fossils, stones or significant herbs as most times it's prohibited. While hiking in the Greek mountains, you might encounter wild life such as deer, wild boar, wild goats, free horses, foxes, wolves, rabbits, squirrels, bears or jackals. Please do not approach or feed these animals. It's essential to familiarize yourself with appropriate behavior if you encounter shepherd dogs or snakes and know what to do if bitten by a tick.

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Special attention:

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VIPER

In Greece, vipers are commonly found and are usually not aggressive. If you approach one, it's best to keep your calm and try to avoid it. However, if you get bitten, seek medical attention immediately. While waiting for, immobilize the affected area with a band, but avoid sucking out the venom or using a tourniquet. The severity of the bite can vary depending on the location and the person's body weight, so it's important to get professional help as soon as possible. Children should immediate medical attention.

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​Shepherd Dogs

Shepherd Dogs inhabit certain regions of the Greek mountains. The protected herds can cover great distances in search of suitable pastures and may be found far from their original resting sites. Some times they could be crossing our trails.

While shepherd dogs typically avoid human contact, the possibility of an encounter cannot be entirely ruled out. As a protector of the herd, a shepherd dog can be dangerous in certain situations. Experts offer the following advice:

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• Make your presence known by making noise. The dogs will warn you with loud barking. At that time wait until the herd moves away at a safer distance.

• If you encounter a shepherd dog do not run; instead, slowly back away keeping your voice loud and firm.

• Replan your hiking route if possible in order to distance yourself from the herd by at least 200 m 

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Weather Conditions in the Mountains

The weather in the mountains can change quickly and unpredictably. To avoid being caught in a rainstorm, use waterproof clothing and find a protected place when you see a thunderstorm approaching. If you are caught in a rainstorm, find a protected place to wait it out and avoid walking on exposed terrain during thunderstorms. Be careful when walking on slippery rocks and grass, and consider shortcuts using a map. Avoid dangerous terrain and difficult trails during thunderstorms. Strong winds at high altitude can cause the windchill effect, so be prepared for a temperature drop of 6 degrees every 1000 meters.

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​Emergency situations

​Emergency situations can happen to anyone in the mountains, regardless of their experience level It's important to stay calm and assess the situation for any potential before calling for help. Greece does not have specialized emergency services for mountain accidents. Even when you are on a guided trip, It's important to know the emergency numbers (112) or other important numbers (such as 100 for police, 199 for fire protection, 166 for EKAB ambulance, local hospitals, local taxis, municipality phone numbers etc) before heading out. If there's no network coverage, move to a location with a signal before calling for help.

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