I love hiking and have really increased my number of hikes in the last several years. Hiking is one of the few activities almost everyone can do. To help you prepare, a free printable hiking guide is available in the Resource Library.
The key is to go at your pace and prepare ahead in order to enjoy your day. I am slower than a lot of people, stopping often to catch my breath, but that’s what I need to finish the trek. All the stops just mean I get a moment to appreciate the scenery and snap some photos!
Below are my tips and advice for novices and avid hikers alike.
Etiquette
- I enjoy listening to nature and being in a calm, quiet environment. This is the same for most hikers. Don’t be noisy – Speak softly and use headphones for music or audiobooks.
- Take care that there is enough space to pass each other with ease.
- Stick to the right so others can pass on the left.
- Those going downhill should move over for hikers making their way uphill.
- Mountain bikers should yield to hikers while hikers yield to horseback riders.
- Acknowledge fellow hikers with a smile, nod, or greeting.
- If you have a dog, leash it on designated trails. Pick up and dispose of pet waste.
Gear
Boots
- Some people love heavy-duty boots while others prefer minimalistic ones. I use Merrell and would highly recommend them. I personally prefer waterproof styles to keep my feet dry when out exploring.
- Depending on the terrain and preference, hikers may wear trail runners rather than boots.
Socks
- Socks should fit correctly and be comfortable to wear for long periods. Colder climates need warmer and thicker materials like wool. Look for socks with moisture wicking properties to keep your feet dry and avoid blisters.
- If you are hiking long distances or rough terrain, a cushioned toe is helpful.
- I like Smartwool and REI brand socks and have used both in the US and abroad.
Backpack
- I bring a lot on my day hikes and using a backpack helps to haul it around. More on the items I bring below.
- I use 35L ZOMAKE lightweight hiking travel backpacks. They’re awesome because they collapse flat and can be folded into themselves for easy packing or storage.
- Thru-hikers and travelers who backpack for days or weeks have different requirements for their packs. Popular brands are Osprey, Gossamer, and Gregory.
- Considerations:
- Fit of shoulder and hip straps
- Women’s and men’s backpacks are different, especially in the straps
- How the pack opens – Top loading or panel access
- Base weight of the pack
- Capacity – Larger packs are 65 to 80 liters
- Compartments and pockets
- Removable daypack or top lid
- Internal compartment for a water reservoir
- Whether a rain cover is included or not
- Fit of shoulder and hip straps
Layers
- Hiking clothes should be comfortable. Lightweight attire is best for warmer climates while heavier fabrics help in colder climates and higher elevations.
- While it may be cold at the start of your hike, you can soon overheat from exertion. You’ll want a jacket or top layer you can take off.
- If weather is unpredictable, having a jacket to throw on in a sudden storm is valuable. Wear clothing that dries quickly (e.g. merino wool, nylon, or polyester).
- When the sun sets, the weather cools down considerably. If you are camping overnight, keep this in mind and pack warmer layers to sleep in.
- Multiple types of headgear can be used on a hike – Knit caps, headbands, raincoat hoods, bandanas, and ball caps. These can keep your head dry and warm.
What to Bring
Basics:
- Water bottle – I use Simple Modern bottles. Depending on the length of your hike, a second bottle or water bladder may be needed.
- It’s recommended to drink half a liter of water for every hour of moderate hiking.
- Temperature, difficulty, altitude, and elevation gain all affect the amount of water you’ll need. High intensity hikes in hot weather could need twice the water allowance.
- Always err on the side of caution and bring more water than you think you’ll need.
- Insulated water bottles keep your water cold for hours while not sweating like plastic bottles do – which comes in handy after half a day of hiking in the sun!
- Portable battery pack – Anker are great chargers and offer multiple power levels/hours of battery life.
- Phone
- You can put your phone on Airplane Mode to save battery since often there is little to no signal on trails.
- Snacks – My go-tos are nuts, trail mix, snack bars, dried fruit, and fruit snacks
- Wet wipes or hand sanitizer
- Tissues
- Chapstick with sunscreen
- Cash for parking lot or national/state park fees
- Camera
- Extra clothes or layers
- Whistle to call for help or scare off predators
- Small compass
- Ziploc bags or trash bags to protect your phone, camera, wallet, maps, etc. from water or rain
Advanced:
- First aid kit with bandages, gauze, antibiotic ointment (e.g. Neosporin), bug bite ointment, tweezers
- Bug spray
- Bear spray if you are in an area where bears are often sighted
- Swiss Army knife or multi-purpose tool
- Flashlight or headlamp
- Waterproof matches/lighter and fire starters
- Emergency/thermal blanket
- Duct tape which can fix cracked water bottles, patch ripped clothing, secure bandages, waterproof shoes with holes or mesh areas, and tons of other repairs
- Trekking poles
- Sleeping bag
Planning
Selecting Hikes
- Websites like AllTrails and hiking blogs (like mine) are great for choosing hikes and researching trails.
- These resources can let you know of obstacles on the trail, directions on how to find things (e.g. overlooks, waterfalls), parking details, and more.
- More than once I’ve gone hiking in areas with no signage and relied on screenshots of blogs to get around.
- Start with easier trails and work your way up to longer and more challenging ones.
- Consider your fitness level, familiarity with the area, route distance, terrain, elevation, weather, and daylight hours when planning.
- Some places have sections that are paved for accessibility and others with rough terrain. It pays to research ahead to know what paths are accessible to you and what you’ll be able to see on them.
- Make sure you have enough time to return to your starting point or planned endpoint before dark.
- A long hike on flat ground can be easier than a short hike with a large elevation gain.
Communication
- Make sure everyone in the group knows the route and plans for the day.
- Leave your itinerary with someone and the estimated time you’ll be back, especially if you are going somewhere new.
- Often there is an information board with details about the area and a map. Take a photo of the trail map with your phone before you start. Some trails offer paper maps that you can pick up at the office or entrance. You can refer back to the map to see a layout of the area or to figure out other trail blazes if you get lost.
Wildlife
- Know the local wildlife – Are there bears, snakes, or wolves in the area? It helps to know what to look out for and if you need to bring additional supplies like bear spray.
Planning for Children
- If you’re hiking with kids, create a scavenger hunt to fight boredom. Give them a checklist to look for – Butterfly, ladybug, cloud shaped like an animal, four-leaf clover, moss, pinecone, bird, etc.
Safety
Even with a trail map and planning, you can get turned around. If you get lost, follow the STOP recommendations from the U.S. Forest Service.
S
Stop – Don’t keep going in the wrong direction. Stay calm.
T
Think – How did you get there? What landmarks did you see? When was the last point you knew you were on the trail?
O
Observe – Look around you. Look for the trail. Use your map and compass to determine your direction.
P
Plan – Based on what you know, plan your next move. Can you retrace your steps? Do you have a phone with signal to call for help? If you are not confident in your plan, the best thing is to stay put. If it is nighttime or you are injured/exhausted, stay in place.
Remember: If you gave your itinerary to someone and you’re late, they will eventually come looking for you.
Leave No Trace
The 7 principles of Leave No Trace (LNT) are:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
Detailed information about the LNT principles is available on Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics.
Excellent! Love the S.T.O.P. and the Leave No Trace Section (Our motto when plein air painting)
Thanks Charlotte Fine Art! I’m thrilled that you follow Leave No Trace principles while you are out creating art in nature!