In April 2023, the first international SAFEHIKE training took place in Innsbruck, Austria, bringing together participants from Austria, Slovakia, and Romania for a weekend focused on hiking safety, navigation, and teamwork in the mountains. The training was part of the Erasmus+ Sport project SAFEHIKE – Stay Safe Keep Hiking, which supports non-formal learning and safety awareness for active hikers and mountain enthusiasts.
The training was designed for active hikers, members of hiking clubs, amateur mountain enthusiasts, and newcomers to hiking who wanted to improve their knowledge of safe movement in nature and learn how to respond to more challenging situations in the mountains. It combined practical outdoor learning with theoretical sessions led by an experienced local trainer.
What was the training about
The main theme of the Austrian training was orienteering in emergency situations. Participants explored how to prepare properly for a hike, plan a safe route, assess weather conditions, choose suitable equipment, and communicate effectively within a group. The overall aim was to help hikers better understand risks in mountain environments and strengthen their confidence in making good decisions outdoors.
The programme also focused strongly on navigation skills. Participants worked with maps, compasses, and digital navigation tools, and they had the chance to compare different ways of orienting themselves in the field. An important part of the learning process was not only gaining technical knowledge, but also understanding the human side of hiking: pacing, communication, group dynamics, and leadership.
Programme highlights
The training began on Friday, 21 April, with participants arriving in Innsbruck, sharing an informal dinner, and getting to know each other. This created a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere before the main training sessions started.
On Saturday, the group took part in an orienteering activity using maps and traditional compasses around the training venue. This was followed by a session led by trainer Matthias Mayr, who introduced key aspects of hiking in alpine terrain, including physical preparation, route planning, weather conditions, equipment, and teamwork. Later, participants worked in small groups to plan the afternoon hike, evaluating different route options before choosing the most suitable path together.
In the afternoon, the participants put their knowledge into practice during a hike to Achselkopf (1,275 m). Along the way, they had to adapt to different paces and abilities within the group, which turned into an important learning experience about leadership, communication, and group safety. During the hike, they also practiced navigation with maps, compasses, and mobile apps.
On Sunday, the group reflected on the first day, discussed what had gone well and what had been challenging, and continued with another orienteering activity in Innsbruck city centre. Because of changing weather conditions, the programme was adapted, showing in practice how outdoor plans sometimes need to remain flexible. The training ended with evaluation, final feedback, and certificates of participation.
The Austrian training offered a combination of practical and reflective learning. Participants improved their understanding of hiking preparation, route planning, weather awareness, equipment choices, navigation methods, teamwork, and communication in a group. Many also highlighted how useful it was to experience the realities of hiking in a larger group, where different fitness levels and communication styles can affect the whole experience.
