Clocks go back: darkness comes an hour earlier, and here's what it means for your hikes

We got an extra hour in bed last night. In mainland Spain and the Balearics, at 3:00 on Sunday 25 October the clocks went back to 2:00; in the Canary Islands, 2:00 became 1:00. The same change happened across the EU. Winter time has begun, and for hikers it matters more than it seems.

What changes for hikers

By the clock, from today sunrise and sunset come an hour earlier. We gain a little morning light but lose it in the afternoon, just when many Sunday hikes are ending. On top of that, autumn days keep shrinking every week until the December solstice.

Many autumn rescues follow the same script: a group sets off late, lingers at the summit and gets caught by nightfall on the descent, on ground they don’t know.

Five tips to avoid getting caught in the dark

1. Check the sunset time before you go (any weather app has it) and work backwards: aim to be back at least an hour before.
2. Set a turnaround time: if you haven’t reached the top by then, turn back. Decide it at home, not on the mountain.
3. Start early. With the new time, an 8:00 start already means daylight across much of Spain.
4. Always carry a headlamp with charged batteries, even on short walks. It weighs under 100 grams and could save you a rescue. Check what to pack in case night falls.
5. Dress for the finish: temperatures drop fast after sunset, especially in valleys and at altitude.

In autumn, the question isn’t “how long will the climb take?” but “what time do I need to be down?”

The last clock change?

This is the last change in the five-year calendar Spain’s official gazette published in 2022, and Europe is still debating whether to keep the system. Until there’s a decision, clocks will keep changing twice a year.

New to hiking? Read how to plan your first mountain hike and pick shorter routes for shorter days: there are ideas in spectacular hikes for beginners.