Surfaces – may be uneven, wet, rocky, loose, slippery, icy, thick with snow – leading to the potential for falling. On roads traffic passing is a hazard.

Features of the environment – e.g. walking through a heather moor or through bracken or under low trees or past areas of nettles or across boggy areas. Hazards include bruising and cuts and acquiring insects which may cause later problems (e.g. stings, or tick bites).

Weather – Changeable /Unpredictable – Extreme heat to extreme cold, dry to very wet and thunderstorms – exposure to which can lead to a range of conditions from overheating to hypothermia.

Our fitness level – Will determine how well we can cope with the demands of the walk.

Hunger & Thirst – If we do not eat or drink sufficiently – we may experience fatigue and dehydration

Our General Health - We are more susceptible to problems whilst walking if we have a health problem e.g. suffering from a recent infection, diabetes, recovering from a serious illness, have feet, knee and hip problems, or we have a heart condition or we suffer from allergic reactions (e.g. hayfever or reaction to bee stings).

Medication we are taking - Effects and side effects of medication can create hazards e.g. if medication leads to dizziness or fatigue,

Other walkers - People we are walking with may present hazards e.g. if someone in front stops abruptly or if we catch their walking pole.