Hiking alone is a completely different experience from hiking with a group -- quieter, more flexible, and often more personal. Solo hiking is also safe when approached thoughtfully. Millions of people hike alone every week without incident, and these tips are why.
Tell Someone Your Plan
This is the single most important solo hiking safety rule. Before every solo hike, share: trailhead location, planned route, and expected return time with a trusted person. If you are not back by that window, they call search and rescue. Simple, free, potentially life-saving.
Carry an Emergency Communication Device
A cell phone works on many trails, but in remote areas consider a personal locator beacon (PLB) or a two-way satellite communicator like a Garmin inReach. These devices let you send SOS and two-way messages from anywhere on earth. The peace of mind they provide is worth every dollar.
Stay on Marked Trails
Solo hikers should be more conservative with off-trail exploration, not less. Stay on established paths, note trail junctions carefully, and turn back if weather deteriorates or you feel uncertain about your route. No summit is worth a night in the wilderness unprepared.
Trust Your Gut
The trail will present situations that feel off -- a sketchy person at the trailhead, weather building faster than forecast, a stream crossing that looks much harder than the description suggested. Trust your instincts and be willing to change plans. Adaptability is the most underrated solo hiking skill.
- Start with well-trafficked trails for your first few solo hikes
- Carry a first aid kit and know how to use it
- Register at the trailhead when a register is available
