Want to know the best hiking beginner tips? This post will go over everything you need to know before you hit the trail.
Are a you a hiking beginner and are doing everything you can to be as prepared as you can? I totally get it, and you’ve come to the right place for the basic tips you will need for that confidence you are looking for to take action and actually start your hiking adventure.
As someone who didn’t grow up hiking, I know how hiking can seem intimidating but it doesn’t have to be, you will learn hiking do’s and don’ts, basic things to bring on a hike, how to choose a trail and more!
This post is all about the hiking beginner need to know basics for starting on your hiking journey.
Hiking Beginner “Know Before you Go”
1. Pick the Right Trail!
Choosing the right trail can make or break your experience and it is super easy, research trails near your area before you go, I use the Alltrails app and it grades trails as easy, moderate or hard.
The trick is to read features of the trail and reviews, steep hills? stream crossing? (trust me if your shoes aren’t waterproof walking the rest of the trail in soggy shoes can put a damper on any trip!) to get a better idea if the trail is right for you.
If you are a complete beginner I’d recommend going with an easy trail, no more than 10 miles, it’s better to have an easy experience and come back to the hobby than to be completely put off by a miserable time on the trail.
2. Pack Snacks and Water
Take more water than you need, it will vary depending on the time of year and the weather, but a good rule of thumb is half a liter per hour on the trail, this will be more if you are in the middle of summer.
A water filter is a good idea if water is available on the trail. One great hiking tip I will add is keep a good amount of water in the car so it’s ready for when you get back (if you are going in a car of course)
Another hiking tip I will add here is: check for restaurants or diners around the area so you have a general idea of what is available, you will be hungry and at the end of a hike and without a real plan for afterwards things can get hangry;).
3. Hiking Clothes
You can probably use something you already have in your closet, workout clothes work fine as they are moisture wicking, do not use jeans as they can chafe if wet.
Remember to layer and start the hike with less layers than you need, this is because you’ll warm up soon enough!
4. Hiking Footwear
Your feet will be doing the heavy lifting, hike day is not break in new shoes day, make sure they are comfortable before hand, take them for a walk around your block or a park, don’t necessarily need hiking shoes/boots, but make sure your shoes are “gryppy”, trail runners will do the job.
Socks are also important, ditch those cotton ones and make sure your socks are synthetic or merino wool, I personally held of on buying the merino wool ones like darn tough for ages and my Under Armour gryppy synthetic socks worked fine for years.
5. Navigation
The only times I’ve used an actual paper map have been in national parks, I make sure to download the map of the trail I’m visiting with AllTrails and it has worked fine for me, it tracks my timing, trajectory and elevation.
6. Hiking Trail Permit
In many trails in the U.S you need to fill out a permit and deposit it in a “mailbox” they have at the beginning of the trail, research of the specific trail you are going to will tell you this.
Always check the website, call a park ranger or check the app of a national park if that is where you are going to check trail conditions, trust me it s no fun getting to your destination and seeing it closed due to maintenance or simply the website is outdated.
7. Let Someone Know
This one safety tip has saved many lives, and it’s as simple as letting someone know where you are going, your planned schedule and letting them know as soon as you start the trail and at what time to expect to hear back from you, in case the unexpected happens you have someone outside your party inquiring about you. Don’t be scared it is just a precaution and in this day and age it applies to many situations not just you going into the wild.
Hiking Beginner “On the Day”
8. Start your hike early
Plan to start as early as you can, this will allow you to enjoy cooler temperatures and less crowds.
Also you reduce the possibility of being caught after dark in the trail.
But… If you are scared of hiking alone you might want to leave at a more popular time although finding parking might be more difficult.
9. Trail Etiquette
- Don’t leave the official trail. (Only exception is if you have to pee or poop)
- Respect the environment around you leave the flowers and branches undisturbed)
- Do not listen to loud music (headphones or earbuds are fine), the people around you are not there to listen to your music.
- The person going uphill has the right of way unless they stop (I really don’t get this as I take any chance I can for stopping while going uphill and will gladly make way for people coming downhill, but it is what it is)
- If someone is coming up behind you at a brisker pace it is courteous to move aside.
10. Leave No Trace on the Trail
- Don’t litter, that banana you brought in, yeah the peel has to go back with you.
- If nature calls and you gotta go poop, dig a hole before you go, don’t forget your mini shovel.
- If your furry companion is going with you, please keep them on a leash.
- Bikers yield to Hikers (technically but it’s easier for a hiker to step aside) and bikers and hikers yield to horses, horses are king.
11. Watch your Step
Watch your step! I cannot repeat this enough, it isn’t pavement an the road isn’t even take care of those feet, even minor injury can be more of a hassle in the middle of a trail and with no communication, also this has a double benefit, if you keep your eyes on your feet while going uphill you’ll be at the top before you know it, can’t tell you how many time I have thought a hill is unclimbable only to find myself at the top before least expected it.
This Post was all about Hiking Beginner Guide!
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