Tips and Tricks for Solo Hiking
Hello! It’s me, your friendly neighborhood hiker here with some tips on hiking solo. I hike alone 95% of the time because I find it to be incredibly empowering and cathartic. Here are some tips that I use to keep myself safe!
Trust your gut and intuition! Hiking solo is more dangerous than hiking with others because of the time that it could take to secure rescue. I’ve not done hikes because they were high risk even if I could probably physically do them. This is also relevant to traveling anywhere new as a solo female!
Be smart and play it safe! Know your abilities and make smart decisions. For example, I know I can do challenging hikes and push myself hard but I do not have certain technical skills that are needed in some situations. Be real with yourself while still inviting the challenge.
Do your research! Look up the 10 Essentials of Hiking and Leave No Trace while thoroughly researching the trail and surrounding area. What are the road and trail conditions? Will you need any special gear? If you’re going winter hiking the answer is yes!
Plan ahead and be prepared. This is LNT #1 and it’s just all around smart. I always pack extra layers, water, snacks, and my Wilderness First Aid Kit. It’s also important to have a back up plan and be prepared to bail if needed!
Tell someone where you’re going! Send your location and the exact trail (not mountain) you’re going on with a rough estimate of when you’ll be back.
And that’s it!! There are loads of additional hiking tips and overall knowledge to learn but these are the main rules I’ve adopted in my solo hiking adventures. I know solo hiking isn’t for everyone but for those who are curious I encourage you to try it out! Happy Hiking!
