11 Solo Hiking Tips for Staying Safe
Solo hiking is intimidating, no matter who you are. I have been solo hiking for years, and I still have some nerves before I hike. But there are plenty of things you can do to help you feel more comfortable and confident while solo hiking.
Over the years, I have learned many things (sometimes the hard way) from my solo hiking adventures. Now, I can provide those things to you to help you feel more confident before and during your solo hike!
If you want to start solo hiking, you are in the right place! This guide has great solo hiking tips for you to use on your next adventure.
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My First Time Solo Hiking (And My First Bear Encounter)
My first solo hiking adventure was far into my hiking journey. I had been hiking for years before I felt confident enough to solo hike. And guess what? There is nothing wrong with waiting until you feel more confident!
I was in the middle of working towards completing the New Hampshire 4,000 Footer List, and I could not find anyone to hike with me that weekend, so I decided to solo hike. Was I nervous? Yes! But I knew I had the gear and experience to help me feel confident. I also rechecked my gear and the weather many times before I left, which helped with my anxious feelings. I also chose a popular hiking trail, knowing I would not be the only one on the trail, which I highly recommend doing (we will get more into that later!).
Once on the trail, I felt a little more at ease. I was being vigilant about staying aware of my surroundings and other hikers I passed. It was late fall, so I had my bear spray attached to the front of my backpack and pepper spray just in case.
Even though I was pretty nervous throughout the entire hike because you never know what could happen, it lessened as I continued hiking. I remembered to enjoy myself while staying aware of my surroundings.
When I finally made it to the top, I felt amazing! I felt so accomplished, and the nerves disappeared. Solo hiking is empowering, and I felt on top of the world!
On the descent, I still felt incredible and empowered while enjoying the beautiful trail. I was just about to go over a hill when I saw a black fuzzy animal about 20 feet from me on the trail. I froze. Heart pounding, I immediately took out my bear spray while the bear made eye contact with me. It was my first time seeing a bear on the trail, and of course, it was when I was on my first solo hike.
But as soon as the bear saw me, it took off. Because I never saw a bear that close before, I did not know if it was a cub. With my bear spray in hand, I did a few circles around myself to ensure I could not hear or see anything before I started to hike again. I slowly was hiking while staying aware of any small movement or sound.
Luckily, the bear was alone, and I did not see anything else on my descent, but it was the most scared I had ever been on a hike. Although there was nothing else I could have done to see the bear from further away because it was just below a hill on the trail, I was still overthinking everything I did. But when I finished my hike, I had to remind myself I was as prepared and aware as I could have been.
After my first solo hiking experience, I researched a lot about what to do when I see different types of bears, so I could be more prepared in the future. Knowledge is power when it comes to hiking, so I am always trying to learn new things.
Now, a few years later, I still solo hike because I have found a love for it. Do the nerves ever go away completely? Not for me. But I am more confident when I go solo hiking, which helps. I also set boundaries for myself, so I only solo hike when I know the weather and trail conditions will be good. It helps me feel more comfortable!
Solo Hiking Tips
Choose a Popular, Well-Marked Trail
When you are first starting on your solo hiking journey, it helps if you choose a well-traveled and well-marked hiking trail. It ensures the trail is easy to follow, and you will not be the only one out there.
Popular trails also tend to have more recent trail reports, so you know what to expect for trail conditions. Depending on where you are hiking, you can find trail reports on many websites. For New England, I use AllTrails, the New England Trail Conditions website, and local hiking Facebook groups. It is always good to know what to expect for trail conditions, so you can be more prepared.
The first few solo hikes I went on were on popular trails where I knew many people would be out hiking. It helped me feel more comfortable knowing others were around if anything was to happen. Even after years of solo hiking experience, I still prefer to hike well-traveled trails over lesser-known ones because it makes me feel more comfortable.
Start Small and Work Your Way Up
Going on your first solo hiking can be nerve-wracking, so it is good to start small and work your way up to longer and more strenuous trails. It will help you feel more confident as you complete each hike and gain experience in solo hiking! I started on shorter and easier trails before working my way up, and now I enjoy all types of solo hikes, including long and strenuous trails.
But if you do not want to solo hike long or strenuous trails, that is completely fine! Hiking is supposed to be fun, so you should hike what makes you feel best. If you never want to solo hike a long trail, do not let anyone (including yourself!) make you feel bad for it.
Give Someone Your Hiking Plans
One of the most important solo hiking tips is to give someone your hiking plans. You should do this every time you hike even if you are with a group! I usually give a few people my plan, including the trailhead location, exact hiking route, peaks I plan to summit, what time I am starting, and an estimated time frame I will finish. In case anything goes wrong, you know multiple people know where you are.
Share Your Location with Someone
Sharing your location with someone is another of the best solo hiking tips. And you can do this in a few ways!
Google Maps: Although it is not the most reliable, I share my location via Google Maps. Most of the trails I hike do not have service, so this is not always reliable or accurate, but it is still nice to do.
Garmin Watch: If you have a Garmin GPS watch, you can share your location with someone whenever you start an activity that requires GPS. When you begin the activity, it will send a link to the people you set up, allowing them to track you while you hike. The link only sends when your phone has service, but I have never had an issue with it not working at some point along my hike. You can set this feature up in the Garmin Connect app by going to More > Safety & Tracking > LiveTrack.
Garmin inReach (or any PLB or Satellite Messenger): A Satellite Messenger or PLB, like the Garmin inReach, is one of the most reliable ways to share your location with someone. Unlike our phones, the Garmin inReach does not use cell service, so you can share your location or message someone no matter where you are. With Garmin inReach, you have messages you can send for free, and I set it up to send a link to my coordinates with those. You can also set it up so your location automatically sends as you hike. These pieces of gear are some of the best you can have while hiking.
Be Prepared
Of course, it is crucial to make sure you are prepared before you go on your hike. You should always pack the 10 Essentials along with any appropriate gear for the season or conditions you will be hiking in.
You also want to have enough food and water for your hike. I like packing more food and water than I think I will need because it helps me feel more comfortable. I also always pack a water filter, just in case. I had a water bladder break while hiking, so I was incredibly grateful I had a water filter to drink water from.
Also, make sure to carry a form of protection. I usually always have bear spray and pepper spray with me on the front of my backpack, allowing me to access them quickly if needed. These things can protect you from wildlife and humans. Hopefully, you never have to use them, but it is always good to have them just in case.
Check the Weather and Trail Conditions
A part of being prepared for a hike is checking the weather and trail conditions to ensure you have the proper gear. I always check the weather for the trailhead and on top of the summit. The weather can be unpredictable, so it is crucial to pack for what you may encounter. In the shoulder seasons, it is common for the trail conditions to vary as you approach higher elevations. Even though it may be warm at the trailhead, the summits could have colder temperatures, making it crucial to pack layers.
Luckily, the Mount Washington Observatory provides helpful weather forecasts for our higher summits in New Hampshire. Even if I plan to hike a smaller mountain, I will check the weather to help me prepare.
For trail conditions, I check recent AllTrails reports and local trail condition websites. People are usually great at noting anything important about the trails, including obstructions, difficult river crossings, or any other conditions they encounter. Knowing what I may encounter while hiking helps me feel more comfortable before I head out on my solo hike.
Research the Local Wildlife
Knowing what type of wildlife you may encounter on your hike is crucial! Although it is not always likely you will come across an animal, you want to be prepared with the knowledge in case you do.
On the West Coast, grizzly bears are more common. In New England, we may not have grizzly bears, but we have many black bears and moose. Understanding what to do if you encounter a specific animal is crucial. Even with bears, there are different ways you should handle the situation should you run into one. You can never have enough knowledge about wildlife before you hike!
Listen to Your Mind, Body, and Gut
Whether you will solo hike or hike in a group, it is crucial to always listen to what your mind, body, and gut are telling you. Do not be afraid to turn around if you are not feeling it! The trail will always be there, and it is better to stay safe.
Although it can be tough to turn around, it is worth it if you are not feeling good, mentally or physically. I was on a trail during the fall when I had a gut feeling I should turn around. I almost pushed through the feeling, but I decided to turn around. Do I know exactly why I was feeling that way? No, but I would rather be safe and trust my gut!
Stay Aware While Solo Hiking
Since you are solo hiking, it is crucial to stay aware of your surroundings. I would not recommend wearing headphones or anything that could take away your senses. You must be alert in case you see or hear an animal (or a not-so-nice human) on the trail.
When I hike, even in a group, I will turn around to see if anyone or anything is behind me every so often. It helps me feel more comfortable!
Do Not Tell Other Hikers You Are Solo Hiking
Although many people you meet while hiking are kind, some people are not, unfortunately. Do not tell anyone you are hiking solo, just in case. If someone asks (which is rare), I usually tell them I am part of a group or my hiking buddy stepped off the trail to go to the bathroom.
The same goes for social media. Do not post on social media before you start your hike that you are solo hiking with a geotag of where you will be. I will never post anything until I am off the trail and at home. It is always better to be safe!
Have Fun on your solo hike!
Solo hiking is fun and empowering, so have fun with it! I have been solo hiking for years, and I still get nervous before I do, so do not be hard on yourself if that happens. Make sure you are prepared, have things that help you feel comfortable and confident, and have a great time!
And if you do not enjoy solo hiking, there is nothing wrong with that! A few of my friends prefer to hike in groups, so they do not hike solo. Do not ever be hard on yourself for something like that!
If you want to start solo hiking, this guide is a great place to start planning. It has the best solo hiking tips you should know before you go on your adventure.
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!
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