A First Timers Guide to Hiking Solo
Do you want to try hiking solo, but don’t know how to do it safely? Then this post is for you! We’re going to share why you should hike solo, and how to hike solo, and we’ll share some practical tips to keep you safe on the trail. Let’s go!
The author on her first solo hike.
Hiking solo can be scary, especially if you’ve never done it before. You may be thinking about getting lost, hurt, or stuck in a storm. Or maybe you’re concerned about an animal attack. All of these are valid concerns, and thinking about what could go wrong is helpful so that you try to keep yourself safe from hazards. However, most of these worries can be mitigated by implementing some of the tips I’m going to share today.
Why you should hike solo:
There may be times when you want to go for a hike, but none of your friends are free. Or maybe you just don’t want to coordinate with anyone because the mountains are calling and all that. Whatever the reason, sometimes you just need to get out there. These are the practical reasons to hike solo, but there are also more personal reasons.
Hiking solo is a great way to build confidence and learn more about yourself and how you handle challenging situations, and it can even be life-changing as you have the opportunity to be truly free and self-reflective.
The first time I went backpacking solo gave me such a boost of self-confidence while also scratching the itch to adventure.
During a transitional period in my life, I decided to go on a solo backpacking trip. Mind you I had only been “backpacking” once in high school, and we stayed at an AMC Hut so I’m not sure if that counts. But none of that mattered to me, I knew that if I did some research and borrowed some gear I could feasibly pull this off.
After a ton of research and asking around, I finally packed my bag and headed into the White Mountains of New Hampshire to hike the Bonds. I was scared, my pack was way overpacked, and I felt so alone as I watched my mom pull away from the trailhead. But beneath the fear, I felt freedom.
The author at the trailhead of her first solo hike.
From here on out, the day would be predicated on the decisions I make; there was no need to please others on this trip - I could do whatever made me happy. So I just started walking, and I kept walking that whole day and the next. By the time I made it back to the Lincoln Woods parking lot, I felt a new feeling of peace in my heart and soul, and I felt a self-confidence that wasn’t there before.
And I thought; if I can do that, what else can I do?
I want you to experience the reward of satisfaction after completing your first solo hike, and to have the courage to try something new. Hiking solo isn’t as scary as it sounds if you follow these tips, and you may even be surprised about how much fun you have out there!
A cloudy on the Bonds. Photo by Rebecca Abbott.
How to hike solo:
Research the hike well
Before embarking on any hike you should research the area and trail well, but this is especially true when you’re hiking solo. You won’t have anyone’s knowledge but your own to rely on, so you want to make sure you understand the terrain of the trail and forest. Read books, blogs, and guidebooks, ask friends, post on hiking Facebook groups to get an idea of the current conditions, read the AllTrails review, and read maps from different sources. Make sure that you know the miles, the exact trails, the connecting trails, and the elevation gain. Look into the animals that live in that forest, and make sure you understand how to protect yourself from them in the wild. Learning as much as you can will be worth it when you return to your car safely after and enjoyable hike.
Stick to a well-marked and popular trail
While researching the trail, make sure that it’s popular among other hikers and that it’s well-marked. Choosing a popular trail will mean that you’re likely to pass other hikers, which will help you feel at ease and will increase the likelihood of someone being able to help you out of an emergency. You also need to verify that the trail is well marked, with distinct and frequent blazes on trees, with a marked trailhead, and that any intersections are marked as well. You want to make sure that the odds of you going off trail are slim, and having marked intersections, blazes, and a marked trailhead will help keep you safe. And increasing the likelihood of encountering someone else on the trail will help ease anxiety and could mean help is more likely to be there if something does happen.
Let people know where you’re going
Once you have completed your research and have a plan, you need to let others know that plan as well. Make sure that you give that person a map or a picture of your map, with your planned route highlighted. They also should know:
When you plan to be at the trailhead at the start of the hike
Where you plan to park
The trail(s) that you will be taking and the milage
When you plan to be back to the car or home
Make sure that when you’re done with your hike to contact that person so that they know you’re safe. Letting someone else know of your plans is an essential step to take before taking any adventure, for obvious reasons. If you go missing and no one knows that you went hiking your chances of rescue are slim. If someone does know your detailed plans, they can alert authorities and they can tell search and rescue where to look for you.
Maybe avoid the wilderness for the first solo hike!
Be extra prepared
When hiking with others, I tend to pack only essentials and I admit that I skip some of the emergency survival items such as a thermal blanket and fire-starting materials. When I hike solo, however, I make sure that I have these essentials items packed:
An emergency thermal blanket for shelter and warmth
Waterproof fire starting kit
Well stocked first aid kit
Multitool
Nylon rope (about 5 ft of rope)
Extra food
Headlamp and extra batteries
Water filter or purification tablets
Navigation (paper map and compass or downloaded digital map)
When you’re hiking solo, you are responsible for yourself if you get lost or injured on the trail, so make sure that you have these basic survival tools and that you know how to use them! Here’s a post for more information about what to pack.
Hike a familiar Trail
I suggest picking a hike that you are familiar with. If you’ve already hiked it, even better! Hiking somewhere that you’re familiar with will put your mind at ease and reduce the risk of getting lost. When your mind feels at ease you make better decisions, reduce your stress, and make the whole experience more fun!
Be aware of local wildlife
While you’re researching, make sure you look into the types of animals that live where you’ll be hiking. If you’re in Bear Country, make sure you check if you’ll need bear spray, or if you’ll need a smell-proof bear container for your food. You may also want to tie a bell to your pack while hiking solo, that way you won’t surprise a bear or a mountain lion. They don’t like being surprised! By taking some simple precautions, you may be able to prevent an animal attack.
Have reliable navigation that you know how to use
If you don’t know how to use a map and compass then don’t bring a map and compass. You may want to download a map on your phone and either put your phone on airplane mode to save battery, you pack a fully charged battery pack so you have a backup. Or you can buy a handheld GPS device that you can teach yourself to use. I make sure I have a map downloaded and that I have a paper map and compass. Whatever your preference, you will need a way to navigate confidently and reliably while on your trek.
Be honest about your limits
When hiking solo, you don’t want to start by pushing your physical limits. Pick a trail that you’re confident you’ll be able to do with ease, that doesn’t leave you pushing yourself to the limit. Save the really hard and long trails for a backpacking trip or to go on with a friend. Once you’ve gone solo a few times you may find that you want to push yourself a little bit by doing harder trails, and that’s great! But for your first solo hike, keep it within your comfort zone. The fact that you’re going alone is uncomfortable enough!
Don’t hike a dangerous trail
Don’t go on a solo hike that has huge drop-off cliffs, is over 8,000 feet, is poorly marked, or has some sort of dangerous element. Not to say that you can’t hike those trails solo eventually, but for your first few trips, I suggest that you pick something without those dangers. Even a water crossing solo can be dangerous if you aren’t prepared! So while you’re building your solo hiking confidence, keep the trails short, easy, and popular.
The author on a solo hike when some surprise clouds came in.
Check the weather
This step should be done before any hike, especially if you’re going to hike solo. Check the weather for the peak and the valley, because there’s usually quite a difference between the two. If it looks like there’s going to be rain, snow, heavy fog, or high winds, you should consider skipping the hike. And remember to pack for the weather at the peak; bring hats, gloves, and a rain jacket.
Have a turnaround point
While researching your hike in guidebooks and online, I suggest picking a spot or two where you take a break and be honest with how you’re feeling. If you’re feeling very fatigued, very anxious, or if something just feels off, you can turn around at that point. If it’s a longer hike you can have a couple of spots where you can assess your body and the situation.
Have fun!
And last but certainly not least- have fun out there! Seriously; hiking is meant to bring joy so don’t forget to take in the sights and smile to yourself.
I hope now that you have some pointers you feel empowered to get out on the trails even when you don’t have someone to go with. Hiking solo doesn’t have to be scary or dangerous, as long as you take some important precautions along the way. Tell people where you’re going, do your research, be prepared, and pick a popular trail and you should have a fun and successful hike.
Are you planning a solo hiking trip soon? Let me know in the comments, and if you’d like original outdoor content to hit your inbox sign up for the newsletter! It’s completely free and includes all sorts of bonus content that you won’t see anywhere else.
