For some, the idea of hiking alone can send shivers down their spine, while others prefer the thrill they get by going solo. But should you hike alone?

If you have been watching movies or reading books about hiking, going solo will probably be out of the question. There is no reason to put yourself into a position where you will have no help, no food, and might even injure yourself.

You can go on a hike alone. But it requires some hiking experience, preparation, and common sense. It is important to acquire as much knowledge as you can about the trail you are going on, especially about the area's wildlife. It is a good idea to stick to popular trails for solo hiking.  

However, in reality, hiking is much safer than the drama depicted in Hollywood. But this is not to say that it is totally safe. You can put yourself in a bad situation without adequate knowledge, preparation, or making a bad decision.

Most experienced hikers believe that there is no harm in going on a hike alone, as long as you have experience and knowledge about the area you are heading into. However, they do not recommend starting solo as a new hiker. It is always good to learn from experienced hikers by joining them on their adventures before going one-on-one with nature. Many things can go wrong, and if you do not have the necessary knowledge and experience, you can put yourself in a lot of danger.

Why Should You Hike Alone?

There are many reasons people take on hiking as a solo adventure. Some enjoy solitude, where they are alone with nature. It allows them to discover themselves and even room to think and contemplate.

For others, they are fans of hiking, but none of their friends are. Just because they have no one to go with, they prefer to take on the adventure alone. They do not want to miss the amazing views from the mountain and need that sweet fresh air.  

Overcoming the Fears of Hiking Alone

Hiking is all about putting one foot ahead of the other. Whether you travel in a group or go solo, there is not much difference in the effort you have to put into it. However, being with other people mitigates some risks, and you are better prepared.

Hiking requires confidence, knowledge, and experience. If fear stops you from taking on a trail, consider starting small. You can go on a small trail or on the one you have hiked on before and allow yourself to get accustomed to hiking alone. Once you feel confident, you can work your way up towards more challenging trails. Or, if you prefer, you can stick to one trail that you like – it is completely up to you in the end.

There is a common misconception among hikers that they will have to push harder and test their limits when hiking solo. However, the reality is quite the opposite. When you are alone, you are working for yourself and can proceed at your own pace and do what makes you feel happy.

Advantages of Going Alone

There are several advantages (and some disadvantages) of hiking alone. With the right knowledge, preparation, and common sense, you can enjoy the following benefits.

You Set the Pace

When traveling with groups, we often find that the other hikers can be faster than us, or rather slow. It can be challenging to cope with them at times. When you are going solo, you set the pace of your hike. Whether you like to rush through a park or make multiple stops to take lots of pictures and admire the scenery, you are free to make the decisions.

When traveling with a group or a friend, you sometimes feel that you are rushing them through the process or making them slow down. When going alone, you do not have to deal with this feeling of guilt.

You Stay Flexible

You get up in the morning and decide today is the day you want to go for a hike. When you are alone, you will be ready in no time and will be well on your way in an hour or so. But with a friend, this can be challenging; they may have other jobs they want to complete before going on a hike with you.

Or corollary, you make plans to go on a hike early the next morning. But as your alarm rings, you decide you want to sleep in a little longer. When you are solo, you don't have to worry about it. But if you made plans with a friend or a group, you may end up ruining their plans as well.

Even after you hit the trail, you can remain flexible. You can speed up when you feel like it and take breaks whenever you want. You are the planner and the executioner; you can make all the changes you want.

You Feel the Essence of Nature

When you are hiking with a friend, you spend most of the time chatting and often miss out on many things going on around you. When you are alone, you tend to notice all the small details. You hear and listen to sounds that you may not notice when with others. This gives you a higher chance to spot creatures and become one with nature.

You Think Better

When in solitude and away from all the urban noise and pollution, your mind will work wonders. The peaceful and quiet surroundings allow you to think and contemplate better. There is also something about the rhythm of the footsteps that can start and maintain the thought process.

You may be surprised to see yourself solve problems and find answers to questions that you probably never realized you had. The next time you have a big decision to make, consider taking a hike!

You Can Talk To Yourself

When you are alone and enjoying true solitude, you have the opportunity to talk to yourself without the fear of being judged by anyone. You can talk to yourself to define problems, look for solutions, explore yourself, or even if you want to practice a new language.

You are all by yourself in a natural and soothing environment. You can ramble all the Spanish or French you want to, and no one will be there to judge your pronunciation and have all the time you want to practice.

You can also say motivating statements to yourself loud and clear if you lack motivation in other areas of your life. Statements like, I am enough, I have the power, or simply I can do it, repeated over and over, can make a difference in the level of your motivation.

A Few Dangers of Going Alone

Sure, there are many benefits of going alone. But solo hiking does not come free of dangers and some downsides.

You Can Get Lost

Okay, we have to admit, that didn't sound right. Getting lost is a potential danger whether you are alone, in a pair, or with an entire group. But when you are hiking alone, the chances of getting lost and losing the trail significantly increase because you are relying solely on yourself.

Before you go on a trail, make sure you have the experience and knowledge on how to retrace your footsteps back to find the markers if at any time you find yourself lost.

You Can Get Injured

Injuries can even happen in groups. But when you are going solo, there is no immediate help present to assist you. If you incur a serious injury, you may not even be able to continue the hike.

It would be best to stay extra-aware of your surroundings and not take any unnecessary risks when going solo. It is best to have a plan for getting help in case things go southward.

You May Encounter Wild Animals

For most hiking trails around the world, wild animals will probably be the least of your worries. But it is always essential to do proper research whenever you are going on a new trail.

As a rule of thumb, if you want to avoid wild animals when hiking, it is important to make noise. The most confident way to stay safe in a place with wild animals is to keep the animal as far away from you as possible and never see them.

When hiking with a group, you will make more noise, whether through talking or multiple hiking boots pounding on the ground. These noises are likely to keep the animals far away from you.

When you are alone, as ridiculous as it may sound, remember to make some noise from time to time to let the animals know that you are hiking around. You can stomp your feet or clap your hands or simply have a bell attached to your bag.

If you are brave enough to take on a snake territory for hiking, make sure you know how to treat snake bites and how you can call for help if needed.

You Can Get Stuck In Natural Disasters

Mother Nature can unpredictably take a turn to display her mighty power. Anything from a thunderstorm to an avalanche or even a landslide can throw you well off track and pose a potential life threat.

It is essential to know and listen to the warning signs around you. Being aware of your surroundings can make a significant difference in your survival. Remember, it is perfectly alright to turn back when it is the right thing to do.

In case you get stuck in an unfavorable situation, you should be prepared to help yourself out of it and be able to call for help when necessary.

Few Essentials for Hiking Solo

Here are a few tips that you can use before heading on to your solo adventure. These tips will help put your mind at ease and let you stay smart.

Prior Experience

Before setting off solo, it helps to have some hiking experience. If you have never been on trails before, it is easy to lose track and miss signs because chances are you will not know what to look for. Before you head out on your first solo adventure, get as much information as possible, and earn some experience beforehand.

Before venturing out on your own, consider heading out with an experienced hiker. It will greatly help if you pay attention to what they wear, how they pack for the hike, which terrains they choose to walk on, and which ones they avoid. Feel free to ask several questions; most hikers are more than happy to share their experiences to help beginner hikers.

Proper Research and Clear Planning

It is essential to do your research before selecting a trail for hiking. It is better to choose a hike that will not test your maximum abilities. It makes no sense to push yourself beyond your limits and risk your safety.

One of the reasons Hollywood movies make hiking seem dangerous is that the character is usually overconfident in their abilities and gets stuck in awkward situations. Remember: Help is not close by if you get stuck.

Researching the weather is also important. You can look into reliable forecasts to ensure it will be safe to take on the hike. If your hike comprises steep ridges or slippery rocks, do not go during or after a rainfall. Slipping on wet surfaces in the wilderness can lead to dire consequences, and there will be nobody around to help you.

Another weather element that you need to consider is snow. Snow can be tricky to trek on and has its own challenges. If you are not accustomed to trekking across flat surfaces covered with snow or going over snow-covered inclines, you might want to skip snowy trails until you find some company.

Snow is slippery, it can bury the markers, and things can change unpredictably. It is important to have essential knowledge and experience before taking on this adventure solo.

For solo adventures, it is better to choose a popular trail. This is not to say to go hiking in a military fashion where one is following the other. Everyone is hoping for the best views and anticipating that they will attain top levels of serenity. However, it is still safer to choose a trail with some traffic on it when going solo rather than heading into the wilderness alone with no sign of human existence. Popular trails will increase your chances of getting help if something goes wrong.

Time Your Hike

It is best to leave as early as possible in the morning. This will allow you to make the most of daylight. Even if your adventure will last for a few hours, it is best to leave early to allow yourself ample time to take pictures, rest, and end the trail before the sun starts to set.

Leaving early will be a great advantage when you are taking a popular trail. You beat the crowds to the trail, enjoy the solitude, and the crowds will follow behind to help you in case something goes wrong.

Inform Friends of Your Plans

Once you have the plan ready, remember to inform someone of your plans. Share that you will be walking, and let them know of the path and the estimated time it will take you to complete the hike. It also helps to set a time by which you should be back. If you are not back by then, your friend should notify the emergency services and share your plans with them.

Consider Getting a GPS

Although a GPS might not be necessary for short adventures, it helps you keep track of the trail, especially if you plan off-track adventures or are heading on difficult terrains. The GPS device will help you stay on the correct path, allow you to navigate your location, and can even send out alerts if you get stuck in an emergency.

It is important to remember that GPS alone is not 100% reliable. Many things can go wrong, such as batteries running out or the GPS being unable to connect to the satellite in mountainous terrains. Remember, your best bet for survival is common sense, and no electronic gadget can replace it.

Preparation is Key

It is better to be prepared beforehand than to be sorry later. Although people might think you are overdoing it, please do not listen to them. It is okay to carry some extra weight but never miss out on the essentials. Experienced hikers recommend carrying:

• At least twice the amount of water you will need
• A Good, sturdy knife
• A powerful torch
• A Whistle
• First aid kit
• Extra food
• Maps
• Gloves and beanies for cold weather

Notify the Authorities

Remember to make an entry and sign the registration book that you find at the beginning of the trail. It is usually in a small shelter. Mentioning your name, date, time, expected returning time, the trail you plan to follow, and emergency contact is important. These details will help the park rangers locate you if you are not back by the intended time. This service might not be available on all trails, but for the ones that offer them, do not forget to avail them.