Solo hiking can be daunting at first, but it is so rewarding. You don’t have coordinate schedules or desired trails with anyone else. You don’t have to feel rushed or held back, you can go at your own pace. You can turn around if you feel like it, or you can push farther if you want. Solo hiking means you do whatever you want, when you want! Here are some tips to get you started!

Bring the 10 Essentials

Obviously, it’s always important to have the ten essentials, but especially when solo hiking. When you’re hiking solo, you’re the only one that can help if you run into trouble. This means you have to have everything you’ll need with you.

Be a Planner

Know the distance and elevation of the hike before you start. Read up on any challenges that may be on the trail. Plan how long it should take you. Know what time it gets dark and when you should turnaround. Have a plan for when things go wrong.

Share Your Plans

Tell someone your planned route (including trails and the trailhead where you’ll be parked), your planned start time, and your planned finish time. Let them know who to call if they don’t hear from you at your planned finish time.

Be Aware

When you’re hiking, be aware of your surroundings. If you listen to music or a podcast, listen with ear buds (not a speaker) and have the volume on low, with one ear bud out, so you can still hear what’s going on around you.

Pick the Right Hike

For your first solo hike, it’s helpful to pick the right trail. Pick a relatively easy trail, preferably that you’ve hiked before. That will give you confidence and eliminate worries about whether or not you can do the hike or getting lost. Pick a popular trail, so you can practice being solo without the anxiety of being completely alone.

Be Prepared

It’s unlikely that you’ll need pepper spray, but it can make you feel safer knowing you have it. It can be used on people and wildlife. If you do bring it, make sure you know how to use it and have it ready to access. Again, it’s unlikely that you’d need it, statistically you’re safer from criminal intent on trail than you are at home. (Yay?)

Be Mindful

If someone asks where you’re headed, you don’t have to be specific or even answer. If someone asks if you’re hiking alone, you don’t need to answer. You can say your friends are meeting you up ahead. It’s usually just generic hiker chat, but, you don’t owe anyone details.

Trust Your Instincts

If you run into someone on the trail and they’re giving you an uncomfortable feeling, move on. Don’t feel bad about it. Listen to gut, say “enjoy your hike”, and move on.

Get Out There!

Solo hiking is amazing! These tips are here to help you feel more comfortable, not to scare you. It’s understandable that it can be a little scary to go off into the woods alone, but if you’re properly prepared, you can do it. Now go out and enjoy some “me” time!