Walking and Trekking in the Gran Paradiso. Gillian Price

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       Find time for some basic physical preparation prior to setting out on a walking holiday, as a reasonable state of fitness will make your excursions more enjoyable, not to mention safer.

       Read the walk description before setting out and start gradually, choosing walks suited to your experience and state of fitness. Start out as early as possible and always have extra time up your sleeve to allow for detours due to collapsed bridges, wrong turns and missing signposts.

       Don't overload your rucksack. Pop it on the bathroom scales at home before setting out – 10kg is the absolute maximum! Remember that drinking water and food will add weight each day. And as the afternoon wears on and that refuge never seems to get any closer, your pack will become inexplicably heavier.

       Never set out on a long route if the weather is uncertain. Areas such as those featuring extensive ice and snow fields can be unexpectedly submerged in a thick layer of mist, making orientation problematic. Rain, wind and snow are tiring and can make even easy paths dangerous. Do keep away from crests and any metal fixtures during an electrical storm and don't shelter under trees or rock overhangs. Ask at tourist offices or refuges for weather forecasts or check the local newspapers. An altimeter is a useful instrument – when a known altitude (such as that of the refuge) goes up, this means the atmospheric pressure has dropped and the weather could change for the worse.

       Tempting though it may often be, especially in descent, don't stray from the path during excursions, especially not to cut corners. This will cause irreparable erosion and damages vegetation. Remember that your behaviour will encourage others to do the same.

       Carry all your rubbish back down to the valley where it can be disposed of correctly to save the park and refuge staff time and money. Even organic waste such as apple cores and orange peel is best not left lying around as it could upset the diet of animals and birds not used to such food.

       Be considerate when making a toilet stop. Keep away from watercourses, don't leave unsightly paper lying around and remember that abandoned huts and rock overhangs could serve as life-saving shelter for someone else!

       Wildlife should not be disturbed unnecessarily or handled. Under no circumstances are dogs allowed in the park, even on a leash. Collecting flowers, insects or minerals is strictly forbidden, as are fires and wild camping.

       Always carry extra protective clothing as well as energy foods for emergency situations. Remember that in normal circumstances the temperature drops an average of 6°C for every 1000 metres you climb.

       Learn the international call for help – see Emergencies. Don't rely on your mobile phone as there may not be any signal in remote valleys.