Tips For Hiking Alone

If you are planning on hiking solo it can be both exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. There’s something about the freedom of heading hiking alone on the trails as a solo hiker that screams independent woman (like “Wild”, either the book or the Reese Witherspoon movie), but there’s also the scarier side of not knowing who or what you’ll run into out there on the trails. That’s why I thought I would put together this list of tips for people hiking alone so that you can enjoy the excitement of hitting the trails without extra fear.  

Tips for People Hiking Alone

Review the Trail

Before you venture out to take a hike alone be sure to grab a detailed map of the hiking trail. Review all landmarks and anything out there on the trail beforehand so that you get a feel for safe places, landmarks in case you get lost and other details that will help you succeed in hiking alone. Note any rough terrain or spots that may be prone to wild animals lingering, so that you can make a plan for your hiking trip.

Be Prepared

As a woman hiking alone it’s important that you pack everything to be well-prepared for all mishaps that could occur during your hike. This includes packing a charged cell phone in case of an emergency, a compass to find your way should you get lost, a map of the area, plenty of water and some protein-rich snacks to stay full. You may want to bring along a pocket knife or similar knife for protection as well as a first-aid kit in case you get a cut or injury during your hiking trip.

Tell a Friend

Give a friend or a relative your detailed hiking trip plans so that a trusted person knows where you’ll be hiking and approximately how long it will take you. This will ensure that someone is keeping an eye on the time so that if you do get lost or something dangerous happens, there’s someone available to get emergency personnel or someone who’s trusted to get out on the hiking trails and find you. Provide your friend with a detailed map of the hiking trail and your plans for the trip, such as any rest moments so that they have an approximate time frame and detailed itinerary of your hike.

Always Stay Alert

Keep your eyes and ears open at all times. Wildlife is good at hiding in plain sight and while most wild animals don’t hunt humans there is always a danger with any wild animal. Wild animals are also very territorial so be careful to stay alert so that you don’t happen upon a mother and cubs or other wild animals that may attack due to feeling threatened. Talking to yourself out loud while you’re hiking is a great way to make noise so that wildlife know you’re there, this helps deter any chance of spooking a wild animal in the woods. A bear bell attacked to your pack can also make the noice you need to alert wildlife of your presence. Wild animals are more scared of you than you are of them. 

These are just a few of the tips for hiking alone that will ensure you’re able to enjoy this solo hiking trip with little to no emergency situations. While you still may have missteps here and there with any hiking trip in the woods alone, using these tips for hiking alone will help you have a positive adventure so that you can head home safely afterward. Happy trails!

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