Why would anyone want to hike alone?
If you’ve never done it, you’re probably asking yourself this very question. Subjecting yourself to being alone in the wilderness with no one to walk and talk with? And bears everywhere? You’d have to be crazy to want that, right?
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Maybe a little bit. But there’s this distinct edge to solo hiking that being with a group just doesn’t have. Moving entirely at your own pace, you will problem solve, practice mindfulness, navigate, be resourceful, efficient, and so much more. It’s freeing, thrilling, and peace-giving. The stresses of coordinating a group and navigating dynamics are no longer part of the picture. You’ll experience lightness, mental clarity, and significant stress relief being out on a trail alone.
Before You Go
You’ve made up your mind, you’re excited about your hike, and feel like you’re ready to get out there and hit the trail. But don’t jump ahead just yet! Whether you’re going on an easy breezy low elevation jaunt, or you want something more rugged and off the grid, remember there are several safety precautions and measures to take.
Most of these notes are common sense, but we all get caught up in big ideas sometimes and risk pushing past our limits. Even the most seasoned solo hikers need a good refresher once in a while. Take the time to consider all the safety measures, equipment recommendations, and other tips and tricks we delve into here!
Let people know where you are and when
Maybe the most important of all is to tell trusted family and friends where you will be, for how long you expect to be gone, when you should be back, etc. Inform them of your route and make sure they have your contact info as well. Having an idea of where you are located is extremely helpful in search and rescue situations.
Plan Ahead
Do your research and get to know the trail before your hike. Check out hiker forums online and talk to a ranger if you can to gather information on current or recent animal sightings, weather, trail conditions, and more. Be up to date right up to when you hit the trail! If you really feel like it’s necessary, try doing a “test run” with a friend to build your confidence.
Packing Up
A brief note on packing– do yourself a favor and pack light. No, you don’t have to go crazy ultralight but try sticking to the necessities. There’s only one of you in charge of carrying everything, so be mindful of how weight will affect you as you trek. It’d be a big bummer to tucker out in the middle of the trail! Re starting to feel like something isn’t right. If you’re in danger, know when to call for help.
First Aid
Bring a first aid kit, review what’s inside it, and know how to use it. Premade kits are available at most drug stores in general, and certainly at outdoor retailers. You can always modify your kit depending on your medical needs or concerns. Remember to check expiration dates, and to replenish any supplies that may have been used previously.
Respect your limits
One of the loveliest things about hiking solo is going at your own pace and learning what that feels like for you. That being said, there is no one there to remind you to conserve energy or to keep you from getting carried away. If you start feeling tired, know when your body needs to take a break. Know that it’s perfectly okay to turn around if you.
Animal Encounters
This may be the first thing that comes to mind when we imagine being alone in the woods. All the “what-ifs” may flood your mind– images of bears, cougars– even little skunks! The idea of a wildlife encounter is always exciting, and how you handle such situations is really crucial to your and the animal’s safety. Remember that you are in their territory, not the other way around. To help take the edge off a bit, as always, do your research! Understand what animals are likely active at the time of year you’re going and where you’ll be trekking. Remember– animals have the right of way. Never challenge, provoke, or attempt to intrigue an animal in the wild. Bring bear spray or another form of self-defense, and try to keep food, trash, or other possibly enticing items contained.
Repair Kit
Repair kits are so useful to have in your pack, and can be compact and personalized to your needs. Some great items to include are a multipurpose tool– like a pocket knife– a roll of duct tape, shoe glue, and scissors. These little items come in handy more often than you’d think!
Food & Water
Make sure you’re bringing not only a meal to enjoy at the end of your hike but also enough snacks to carry you through. And it never hurts to have a little candy or something sweet to munch on as your body exerts itself. Additionally, bring more than enough water for your trail. Dehydration in any case, let alone being solo, is not a state you want to find yourself in. Pack along electrolytes to boost your hydration and make the most of your water! Bonus points to hikers out there using a water filter. It is far better to be safe than sorry, and there are plenty of portable water filters on the market today that are small, lightweight, and easy to use.
Navigation & Communication
You can always download a digital version of your trail map on your phone to use offline, but for the sake of saving battery life, it’s helpful to use more “old school” forms of navigation like a compass and paper map.
Connectivity can be unreliable when out hiking, so especially if you’re going alone we recommend carrying a satellite phone or some sort of GPS to bring along.
Shelter
In case of an emergency, having a plan for shelter is an absolute must. As a solo hiker, you’ll want to pick something lightweight and easy to set up and tear down. In the context of just going for a solo hike, bringing a full-blown duffle bag of camping accessories and a canvas camping tent is not necessary, but a few key items are important to have in the way of shelter. Something like a tarp, emergency blanket, and/or a one person tent are perfect items in this scenario.
Other Things to Note
- Work your way up! Again, this seems like common sense, but don’t pick a trail that is far more advanced than what you’ve done in the past. It’s awesome to challenge yourself physically if you’re prepared for it. We’re talking about not jumping from hiking only zero elevation, 4-mile hikes to a strenuous steep incline and 10 miles.
- Collect your trash! You get bonus points for bringing a plastic bag to hold all the waste and trash you accumulate on your trek to keep trails clean
- Be a good steward– always practice Leave No Trace principles to keep trails looking clean and healthy for all hikers to enjoy.
- There are lots of apps you can download with information and recommendations on trails. This is a great resource to have as you plan and want to reflect on your time outside.
Solo hiking is a worthwhile challenge that yields endless mental and physical benefits. When it’s just you, the scenery, and the trail before you, the possibilities are endless. We hope you’re able to take these notes and build on them so you can venture confidently down the trail. Take time to understand the risks and be prepared for anything so you can soak up the endless rewards!
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