Learning how to hike is a great way to get outdoors, enjoy nature, and get exercise. I’m a woman and i often hike alone, on and off trail. I do backcountry, out-of-cell-service, where the wild things are types of hiking. I do this to discover the nooks and crannies of Mother Nature, to view the world in wonderment, and connect with myself.

It’s one of the most healing and life-fulfilling activities I know to do. 

I’ve come across some of the most fascinating things including tiny animal skeletons and elk and deer antler sheds. Hiking has led me to waterfalls running underneath the remnants of winter as spring’s energy takes over the world. 

Many people, but especially women, are afraid to hike alone, and I get it. We live our lives contending with the dangers of other people. With hiking, we add the elements, wild animals, and unforgiving terrain. But if hiking is something you want to try, whether alone or with others, here are some things to keep in mind. These are the basics that people should abide by to stay safe and get out on a few dirt paths.  

How to Hike Safely

Start small

If you’ve never hiked, start on the local trail system, in full cell service, with plenty of people around. Do it a lot. Study the maps posted at the trailhead and try different trails with varying difficulty levels. Then, try something a bit more out of your comfort zone. Learning proper trail etiquette will help you be more confident from the get-go.

Next, try hiking trails that are a bit more remote. These may be out of cell service but likely have other people on them. There is an element of safety knowing other people will come along if you get hurt or find yourself in a jam. 

Make sure you are really comfortable doing this before considering taking it off the trail. 

Get in shape to hike

Hiking in and of itself will get you in the shape you need to be in. If you are starting small, as we’ve discussed, then you should have no problem building your endurance over time. I recommend mixing in other workouts to get in better overall shape. The result is a much more enjoyable experience you’ll likely want to keep doing. 

Weight lifting, HIIT workouts, Crossfit, cardio/weight combo classes, or whatever you like to do will only help.

Building your upper body strength will make a difference when you’re carrying a pack. It will also help with scrambling when you get into the more advanced, off-trail hiking.

Building your lower body strength will help when carrying that same pack up really steep terrain. Whether you hike alone or with others, your entire experience will be more enjoyable the better shape you’re in. 

Let someone know where you’re going

Whether you’re going with a friend or alone, always let someone know where you’re going. While this may not be necessary for short, in-cell-range hikes, you definitely want to do this when you start venturing out-of-service, especially when going off-trail. 

Give them precise information, such as the trailhead you intend to park at and what area you will be going to. Include specific mountain or creek names if you have them. If you can give it to someone that knows the area, this is best. The more information you can provide, the better.

Let someone know when you plan to be back and

check-in with them when you return.

If they don’t hear from you by a pre-established time, tell them they should alert the authorities that you are missing. Or, if they are experienced and know where you went, they could also come looking for you. Finally, don’t deviate from your plans so your people know the general area to start looking for you.

However, don’t use this safety protocol as an excuse for engaging in risky behavior. It takes a lot of people, time, and resources to initiate a rescue effort, and you could be responsible for the cost. All rescue efforts also put other people’s lives at risk, so be smart about what you are doing. Don’t just not show up at your designated time because you don’t feel like it or got distracted. 

6 Things to Have When Hiking

As a hiker there are several essential must-have items to take along. These may be adapted depending on whether you’re doing shorter, local trails or going out all day somewhere more remote. Of course, these tips apply to whether you hike alone or with others. 

Good hiking shoes or boots

Good hiking footwear is one of the most important things you need to enjoy yourself. You may want to consider owning multiple pairs to suit the type of hiking you’re going to do. However, you can work up to that.

Hiking Shoes

For short hikes on a trail system, a pair of running shoes may be all you need. However, I recommend upgrading to a pair of trail running shoes for extra traction and cushion. A step up from a trail running shoe is hiking shoes, which tend to be a bit burlier. They will have a little heavier, sturdier sole and likely some sort of toe reinforcement. These will also be good for long trail hikes and if you dare venture into backpacking. 

There are many good brands out there. I’ve had excellent luck with Salomon XA Wild GTX and the Adidas Terrex Swift R GTX for long trail hikes and backpacking trips. Both are waterproof and offer a sturdy sole to protect your feet from rocks, particularly if carrying a heavy pack. I also use the Adidas for mountain biking and find myself wearing the Salomon’s for daily use. 

Hiking Boots

If going off-trail, I recommend a sturdier boot that can withstand scrambling through scree fields, rocky outcrops and give you ankle support in steep terrain. I have tried many brands, including Kenetrek and Schnees, but ultimately settled on Zamberlan. They are an Italian boot company that’s been making boots since 1929, and the quality is definitely top-notch.

I have two pairs, one for regular, summer off-trail scrambling and another for hunting season. For this article, I’ll stick to talking about the first. I have enjoyed my Zamberlan 1996 VIOZ Lux GTX RR Leather Backpacking Boots. These provide ample ankle protection, a burly build, have never given me a blister, and will last me for years. While they are expensive, as with many things, you get what you pay for. 

Proper hiking clothing

Having the proper clothing when hiking is critical, and layering is a must. The first piece of advice I have in this regard is to avoid cotton. It doesn’t wick moisture well and takes a long time to dry. In cold weather, it definitely increases the risk of hypothermia. 

With that said, the sky’s the limit when it comes to suitable clothing for the outdoors. You can use anything from regular workout clothes to specialized garments designed for hiking and the outdoors. Where you are in the world, the season, and the length of your hike will determine what you should wear.

One of the most critical rules-of-thumb to remember

for the outdoors is to pack layers.

Layers

Layering means wearing a base-layer, mid-layer, and outer shell clothing and could include rain gear. You should be able to shed a layer as it gets warm and add a layer as it gets cold, rainy, or snowy. 

On longer off-trail hikes, and depending on the season, I will wear a moisture-wicking t-shirt or a long-sleeve merino shirt as a base layer. I’ll carry a mid-layer fleece half-zip and a lightweight down puffy jacket if the weather turns cold. Something windproof is even better. Finally, if the forecast calls for a chance of rain or you live in an area with weather that can change quickly, throw in a lightweight raincoat. 

For short hikes, I wear thick hiking leggings. I’ll wear outdoor pants with ample pockets for longer and off-trail hikes. Unfortunately, I haven’t found a women’s pant that meets my needs, but I do LOVE the men’s KUIU brand Attack Pant. This is a hunting brand, but these pants are excellent for hiking and fit me great as a woman.

If you want a combination pant where the legs zip off to give you shorts, there are many good options. The bottom line is to figure out what works for you and is appropriate to the weather. And avoid cotton. 

Finally, throw in a warm hat and gloves appropriate to the season, even in summer. It’s better to have them and not need them to not have them when you need them most.

Backpack, food, and water for hiking

Backpack

There are many suitable backpacks on the market. Several good brands include Osprey, The North Face, Gregory, and REI Co-Op. I won’t get into specifics on all of them here, but there are a few things to consider as you decide which pack will work best for you and your intended use. 

Backpack Size

Pack sizes are measured in liters. For daypacks, consider anywhere from 18 liters on the small end to about 35 liters on the larger end (all-day hikes). Somewhere in the middle will likely suffice for when you day hike, as long as you have plenty of space to hold all the gear you need. However, going off-trail and exploring may require something on the bigger side to ensure you can carry any extra items needed. 

Backpack Features

Unless you intend to do a lot of hiking in below-freezing weather, consider a pack with a hydration reservoir or the capacity to carry one. This will be one of the best ways to pack plenty of water and have it easily accessible. However, the hoses can freeze up in cold temperatures. Hydration packs are removable, so I would recommend buying a pack that at least gives you the option.

A good daypack will have a waist and chest belt. Some will be nylon straps, while the higher-end or bigger packs may have a padded waist belt. If you’re going to be carrying a lot of weight, like when you get into backpacking, the padded waist belts are a must-have. However, they may not be as necessary for the smaller daypacks. 

You’ll also want to consider other features such as pockets. I recommend going to a store and finding a knowledgeable sales associate to help you wade through your options. Try several on to find what you like and fits your price range. 

Food for Hiking

The amount of food you carry and what type depends on the length of your hike. If you’re going on a short hike, you probably won’t need anything. Longer treks in the half to full-day range will require more sustenance. You will be burning a lot of calories and should plan accordingly. 

This is a list of what I typically carry in my pack for half to all-day hikes:

• Quick energy carbohydrates like GU Energy Original Sports Nutrition Energy Gel or Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews. These are good for an end-of-the-day energy boost or to grab as you hike if you’re not ready to stop for something more substantial.
• Salted nuts are high in calories, nutrient-dense, and the salt can help replace some of what may be lost through sweat. 
• Jerky is a lightweight protein snack I keep at the bottom of my pack.
• My go-to lunch is usually salami, cheese, and crackers. Still, sometimes I’ll pack a sandwich (minus mayo) or the tuna packages that come with crackers, mayo, and relish packets.
• A candy bar is a good after-lunch treat. 
• Energy or granola bars are nice to have for those “just in case” moments. 

I always pack more food than I will actually need.

The reason is if something happens and I’m stuck out overnight, I have enough food to get me by for a few days. This is especially important when I hike alone. 

Water

As with food, make sure you have more than enough water for the day. Because water is heavy, I recommend carrying a quick and easy way to filter water if you run out or get stuck out there longer than you’d intended. I recommend the Sawyer Products Squeeze Water Filtration System as a cost-effective way to ensure you have a backup plan should you run out of water. 

2-3 liters is a good amount for an all-day hike, while two water bottles will likely suffice for anything shorter than half-day. However, the temperature will also factor in, so if the weather is hot, pack more. 

As I mentioned before, there are a few ways to carry your water, from hydration bladders with and without hoses to Nalgene bottles. I recommend experimenting with each to figure out what works best for you. 

Other things to include in your hiking pack

Garmin InReach

When I hike alone in the backcountry where there is no service, I always take my Garmin InReach. It operates using the Global Iridium Network (satellite technology) but is much more cost-effective than a satellite phone. In my experience, “sat” phones are good for outfitters of all types, researchers, or others doing work in which being able to communicate verbally is necessary. However, the Garmin inReach is more than enough for the rest of us. It allows two-way text messaging, has an interactive SOS feature, tracking, and location sharing. 

As with sat phones, this system requires a subscription. There are both annual plans and freedom plans that allow for you to pause and activate your subscription as you need it. If you use it every month, the annual plans will save you money. Browse their website for updated prices and plan types. 

I use my InReach most on overnight wilderness trips, whether it’s backpacking, horse/mule packing, or rafting. It’s an excellent way to check in with people back home to let them know everything is still going as planned. But if you’re venturing out alone and want some peace of mind, this is an excellent tool to have on hand. 

Bear Spray

You may or may not be hiking in bear country, but bear spray isn’t a terrible investment regardless. It is basically a concentrated mace in a bigger size and can be used on humans as well. UDAP is one brand I use. It is 2% capsaicin and related products that temporarily disables a bear’s (or human’s) ability to see and smell. Bear spray works by causing swelling in the nasal passages and causing the eyes to tear up. It can be really harmful to humans, but if someone is threatening you, well, that’s on them. 

A couple words of caution with bear spray:

1. Do not spray a small amount of it just to test it out. You want the entire amount left in the can should you ever need to use it.
2. Read all the instructions and know exactly how to use bear spray properly. You can also buy practice spray cans, so if you want to try them out in a simulated scenario this is a good way to do so.
3. It is not a bear repellent, so DO NOT spray it on your tent, clothing, or anything else like you would mosquito spray. I repeat, bear spray it is NOT a bear repellent. 

Maps

The best maps for going off-trail (or even staying on the trail) are topographical maps or “topo” maps. These maps use contour lines connecting points of elevation. If you are going to be doing anything but staying on well designated and marked trails, it is an excellent idea to become proficient and learn how to read a topo map and use a compass. These maps will not only have trails but show you landforms and terrain, lakes and rivers, and more. 

Another alternative is to download a map app on your phone. My personal favorite is OnX Maps, but there are many others out there. I have found that OnX works well because as I’m hiking off-trail, I can see the topography and follow it accordingly. This works great when I’m out looking for deer and elk antler sheds. There are times it saves me some effort as I can see where I may be able to rim around a mountain rather than drop down and back up. 

Other things to carry when hiking

A few other things I always carry with me when venturing out are:

• Pocket knife
• Multiple ways to start a fire, such as a lighter and waterproof matches in a waterproof container (and know how to build one)
• Headlamp
• First aid kit
• Toilet paper (also known as trail money)

How to Hike Final Thoughts

If you want to learn how to hike, these basics should get you started. You can go with other people, but there is also absolutely no reason you can’t get out there by yourself. I do it all the time and have a blast. Hiking allows you to get in nature, calm your nervous system, get fresh air, and exercise.

Sit on a rock and meditate if you feel like it, or wade in a cool mountain stream. There is a sense of pride and freedom in hiking up a long mountain trail and reaching the top, or completing a hiking loop around a lake. The outdoors is for everyone, and there are ways we can all get out. 

I hope this article helps you, and I’d love to hear other tips or tricks you have or answer any of your questions as well.