Hiking alone is such an amazing experience that everyone should do it at least once in their lives! However, for most people, it can seem like an unnecessary risk to take. Here are some ways to protect yourself if you’re hiking alone.

Remember though: basic hiking training and having the right supplies in your hiking backpack usually help you navigate most basic trails without incident!

Go on a Popular Trail

You may think that being on a popular trail means you’re more likely to run into people who cause you harm, but there are a few reasons why this doesn’t work that way. First, if a malicious person is looking for someone to prey on, they don’t want to run into many people. A popular trail means witnesses and that is to your advantage.

Second, the danger isn’t just about other people. You could get stuck in bad weather or get injured, which is why a popular trail with many hikers could be a saving grace.

Familiar Trails are Less Risky

If you’re hiking alone, you should also be familiar with the trail as much as possible. Go somewhere you’ve been before and keep a preloaded offline Google Map on you, or a physical map for that matter!

Familiar trails will keep you on track, reduce your chances of injury or getting lost and you’ll be able to escape someone weird or suspicious much more easily.

Don’t Forget the Weather Forecast

The weather can turn a good hike into one that’s a complete disaster. For example, if there’s a prediction for snow, you should avoid the trails, since fresh snow is the worst for grip and friction. That’s not to mention the risk of hypothermia or pneumonia!

You should also be taking your cue from the hikers around you. If everyone is walking in raincoats and boots rather than shoes, you should head back. Solo hikers should never brave the risk of bad weather alone.

Inform Someone You Trust Where You’re Going

The best way to ensure that you’ll be missed if something bad happens is to make sure someone knows where you are. This could mean your partner or spouse, a friend, roommate, or sibling.

One other precaution to take with this is to drop by the ranger station and let them know you’re hiking alone. If you don’t drop by on the way back, they’ll probably alert your emergency contact and start looking if you’re AWOL.

Pack Proper Supplies

Of course, the best way to deal with any unforeseen situations is to always have the right kind of supplies on hand in a comfortable backpack for hiking. Our ultralight hiking backpack is just the thing for a solo traveler!

Not only do our backpacks help you balance your weight, but they’re also large enough to hold first aid supplies, food, a raincoat, and more! Shop for yours today.