Learn about some of the things you should not do while hiking to ensure that you can enjoy a safe hiking trip.

Are you just getting into hiking, or have you been hiking a long time? Regardless of whether you are new to hiking or are a seasoned hiker, you can easily find a lot of information that will help you know what you should do before you hit the trail. You will also find information about what to do while you are on the trail. But, what about the things you should not do while hiking?

It’s incredibly important to know what you should not do while hiking. Some of these things include hiking without a plan or not knowing the weather, not bringing enough food and hydration, eating wild fruits, littering, hiking in the dark, and more.

There are several reasons to love hiking. The beautiful outdoor activity allows you to spend time in nature and get away from monotonous everyday life. However, given that you are out in nature, most people assume that they are in a safe space, and that's not always true. Hiking may seem like a safe activity, but accidents are inevitable, which is why staying safe and healthy on the trail is the top priority. Moreover, it is also important that you be respectful to nature while you are hiking to make the most of this experience. You can find a lot of information that will help you prepare for a hike, but what about the information that tells you what you should not do while hiking.

That’s exactly what we are going to cover in this post. After extensive research and collaboration with our hiking experts, we share some of the things that you should not do while hiking. By avoiding these things, you can enjoy a safe hike and make the most of your experience every single time.

What Should You Not Do While Hiking?

Here are some of the things you should not do while hiking.

Hike Without a Plan

One of the most common mistakes that hikers often make is to start their hike without a plan. New hikers often pick a spot or choose a location they have seen online or heard of from an experienced hiker, and they start without knowing what to expect. As a result, they are likely to end up with a terrible hiking experience.

So before you head out for a hike, it is critical to have a plan. You should have an insight into the trail and know the estimated time it will take to complete the trail. Only when you have this information will you be able to plan better for the hike and get appropriate gear and enough food and water to keep you satiated throughout the trip.

Hike Without Knowing the Weather

An integral aspect of planning for your hiking trip is knowing the weather. Know that hiking on a sunny day can be entirely different from hiking on a rainy day and each of the different types of weather require a different type of preparation.

Without knowing the weather, you can end up with a terrible hiking trip. Therefore, it is essential for you to check the weather forecast and prepare accordingly before you head out for a hike.

Go Alone

One of the other important things that you should not do while hiking is hiking alone. Hiking alone can be dangerous and might increase your risk on the trail because when you are alone, you cannot rely on the support of the other hikers on the trail, especially in case of an emergency.

Not Bringing Enough Food or Water

As you prepare for your hiking trip, it is critical to plan the amount of water and food you should carry. Many people plan for a hike, but they do not estimate the amount of water and food they will need for the trip. As a result, they are left dehydrated and hungry.

A general recommendation for water is between 0.5 and 1.0 liters for adults. You can expect to take more water if the weather is hot or plan for a hike with more elevation. As for food, there is no specific amount of food that you should carry. However, you should know that an average hike can burn between 300 and 600 calories per hour depending upon your speed and elevation; therefore, you should carry enough calorie-rich snacks to replace your calorie loss.

Go Off the Trail

Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned hiker, one of the mistakes that you should always avoid is going off the trail because you never know what the trail is like ahead and where it ends. Moreover, you also don't know the trail in terms of wild animals, which makes going off the trail a terrible decision during the hike.

Play Loud Music

You are hiking out in nature, and it is critical to respect nature. Make sure you avoid playing loud music for your entertainment as it can disturb the birds and wild animals.

Shout or Talk Loudly

Similar to playing loud music, shouting or talking loudly is another way of disrespecting nature. And while shouting and talking loudly is something that you should avoid, it doesn't mean you can't talk while you hike. You definitely can but make sure to do so gently without disturbing nature.

Use Headphones While Walking

Music is an integral aspect of life, and while we recommend not playing loud music, we also discourage using headphones while hiking. Hiking is an activity that requires full concentration. You need to pay attention to your surroundings and be aware of unusual sounds that can alert you about an approaching animal or a falling rock. Moreover, if you are hiking with your friends as a group, you should also know when your friend is warning you about something or calling you for help. With headphones in your ears, you cannot pay attention to your surroundings, which may lead to serious consequences.

Drink Alcohol While Hiking

Alcohol affects your cognitive ability and motor coordination, both of which are of utmost importance as you hike. Hiking requires full concentration, which is often compromised when you are under the influence of alcohol.

Eat Wild Fruits

The colorful wild berries may seem tempting, but it is best to avoid eating wild fruits unless you know which fruit it is. Often the wild fruits that you find on the trails, including certain berries and mushrooms, are poisonous and can lead to severe consequences, so until you are sure which fruit it is, make sure to avoid it.

Feed Animals

Wild animals may seem friendly and adorable, and you might be tempted to be friends with a deer or a squirrel, and of course, one of the best ways to be friends with them is to feed them. However, it is also one of the things that you should avoid. Feeding animals can be dangerous for them, and you might end up hurting an animal. Moreover, over time, animals can get used to humans for feeding, which can quickly turn out to be a threat to their survival.

Litter

It goes without saying that littering on the trails can have an adverse effect not only on the mountains but on the entire ecology and climate.

Attend Call to Nature Near a Water Source

While most people assume that the best way to attend the call to nature is near a water source, it's not appropriate. It's best to attend a call to nature at least 200 feet away from a water source. Moreover, if you are defecating, make sure you do so after digging a hole and bury it.

Hike in the Dark

If you are out for a day trip, make sure you reach your destination before sunset because hiking in the dark can be very dangerous. You may have an increased risk of falling prey to dangerous animals, and there is also a much higher risk of getting lost when you hike in the dark.