5 Tips for Hiking as a Solo Female

On my second solo hike, I passed a group of people near the trailhead, finishing their hike.

“You’re hiking alone?” Asked one of the women, clearly concerned about my safety.

“Yes,” I answered confidently even though I wasn’t very sure of this new hobby of mine.

“She’ll be fine,” her friend assured both of us.

I smiled and waved and was on my way.

Hiking as a solo female can be daunting, but I’ve found that most of the fear comes from what other people think. My mom is afraid I’ll get lost and die, or meet a murdered along the way, or a bear. And all of those fears live in the back of my head, popping up each time I see a stranger or a particularly steep down climb.

But I’m here to tell you that being a women or out of shape or [insert excuse here] isn’t a reason not to do something you think you could love. I am here to give you some tips to make that experience as safe as possible, and hopefully put your loved ones at ease.

1. Do your research – This tip is where I attribute most of my success as a hiker in general (never mind the solo female part). I have a whole blog post about planning for a hike (see here), but my number one resource is AllTrails. I have the pro version which allows you to download maps offline and send out a “lifeline” signal to whoever you choose which allows them to track your movements and get messages from the trail. Once I’ve found a trail or an area I think would make for a good hike, I’ll usually check it out online using state or government websites. Most of my hiking has been in state or national parks and forests, so I’ll check for any conditions, closures or changes that aren’t up to date on AllTrails.

2. Know the 10 essentials – Once you’ve done your research, make sure you have enough food, water and supplies for your hike. You won’t have a friend who just happened to bring sunscreen or an extra granola bar you can borrow. Pack what you think you’ll need and an extra half liter of water. Trust me.

3. Bring protection – If you’ll be hiking in an area with bears, bring bear spray. But remember that the best form of protection is the one you feel comfortable using. My first summer as a solo hiker, my form of protection was picking popular trails I knew would be filled with people. After I got my dog back, she became a form of protection in my mind. I finally got a knife when I took my first solo camping trip, and now keep in in one of my outside pockets. I also carry a Garmin InReach which tracks my location and has an S.O.S. button in case of emergencies.

4. Tell people where you’re going – I’m guilty of not always following this one, but for safety’s sake it’s important. Living alone, I got into the habit of getting up and going without telling anyone where or when I’d be back. Now I make sure I give the people I live with a heads up about where I’ll be and when I expect to be back, just in case anything happens.

5. Know your limits – My favorite part of hiking alone is that you can go as fast or slow as you want, and no one needs to know if you turn around before reaching the summit. If you’re looking up a hill covered in ice and wondering how the hell you’re going to get back down, don’t do it. Come back another day. Find another trail. I’ve done it all. Your safety is more important that a summit view.

Hiking alone can be scary, but it can also be freeing. I’ve learned so much about myself and how far I can push my limits on the trail. I’ve learned to love silence and how to be alone without being lonely. And event though I still get butterflies and feel like I’m going to poop my pants every time I pull up to a trailhead, I’ve learned that excitement looks a lot like fear if you don’t know the difference.

So get out there and enjoy the trail. Follow these tips and safe travels. Tell us your top tips for hiking alone in the comments!