Planning the Perfect Hike: The Basics

I get asked a lot how I’m brave enough to hike alone, and my answer is research. Lots of research. Solo hikes take a lot of planning, especially when you’re just starting out.

If you are, my biggest recommendation is to go with friends, go with more experienced people, and then start your solo hikes small. Everyone starts somewhere and the best part of hiking alone is that no one knows what pace you’re going at or how short the trail is.

I know you didn’t click on this to hear me talk about how you should take it slow, so with that disclaimer out of the way, here are the basic tools I use to find the perfect hike.

Favorite App: All Trails

The app I use most often is by far All Trails. It’s also one of the few things I pay for a subscription to. It’s $30 a year for the pro version and in my opinion it’s worth the cost.

First let’s talk about the free version, which is really all you need if you’re just starting out. You can access all of the trail maps without paying, and all off the essential information is free.

Here are the factors I consider:

– Distance: How far are you going to be hiking? If you’re out of shape (like I was when I started) a mile or two is farther than you think.

– Elevation: This is just as important as distance. A mile with a thousand feet of elevation gain is a lot. All Trails also has an elevation map, so you can see how steep each section is.

– Pictures: When looking for a trail I look at the pictures. Not just to see how pretty the view is at the top, but also to see any tricky parts of the trail or if there are any recent pictures showing conditions.

– Reviews: I don’t read a ton of reviews, but I like to look through some for things like trail conditions, whether it’s well marked, has any tricky spots.

What I look for:

This really depends on the day. Every time I’ve moved to a new place, I make a list of all of the hikes I want to do. I look for all of the factors above and of course the pretty pictures, and make a list. Then I go through and pick a hike, or add a new one to the list. There are some days that I feel like checking a big peak off my list, but more often I want to do a hike to build up my endurance or speed. Or I just want to clear my mind on a trail I’ve hiked a dozen time.

My best advice, go down the google rabbit hole. What are you looking for? A great view? A 4,000 footer, a 14er? Make a list of the your ideal hikes and work your way up to it.

Reading Maps – Finding the Trail

I know that most people use gps for pretty much every trip, but knowing how to read a map will make your trip a lot safer and easier.

Whether it’s looking at the topography lines to figure out how steep a trail is, or finding where you are if you get turned around, knowing how to read a map is kind of important.

One of the two paid features I use the paid version of All Trails for is the ability to download maps. Navigation is one of the ten essentials, and while a paper map is the safest, having a map you can access without internet is essential. And the app will find your position with GPS which makes it easier to see how far you are from the summit.

I also use the Apple Maps app to figure out where the trailhead is, and even gas stations or nearby coffee shops or diners to grab a bite to eat after.

My method for finding trailheads isn’t an exact science. It’s basically a guessing game, looking at the map on All Trails then finding the same spot on Apple Maps, dropping a pin and zooming in on the satellite to see if there’s a parking lot or pull off in that spot (it works most of the time).

Familiarizing yourself with where your going is a big part of making sure you get there and back safely. Before you head out make sure you have a general sense of what the trail will look like, and where you’re going. Next time I’ll talk about what I do to make sure I’m safe while on the trail, and my tips for making sure you’re prepared for your hike.

What are your tips for hitting the trail? Share your tips in the comments.