Solo Hiking Like a Pro: Crucial Tips from an Expert Hiker

The topic of hiking alone often sparks strong debates and differing opinions due to the varying perspectives on safety. But one thing is certain: there are definitive ways to hike solo safely and responsibly.
In this post, we will discuss both the benefits of solo hiking and how to do it safely.
Here are 7 surefire ways to greatly increase your safety and comfort on a solo hiking experience.
- Do Your Research
- Have All Your Hiking Gear Essentials
- Be Overly-Prepared
- Notify Family and Friends
- Always Pay Attention to Your Surroundings
- (Smartly) Use Others for Your Solo Hiking Advantage
- Be Honest with Yourself and Your Abilities

The Benefits of Solo Hiking
Before getting into the “how”, what are some of the “whys” to solo hiking?
Solo hiking is self-affirming! It represents the ability to do something independently and strengthen that sense of self-reliance!
Solo hiking allows you the freedom to “hike your own hike”. You don’t have to worry about anyone else’s pace or logistics but your own. No waiting on others to schedule your hikes. Hike wherever and whenever you please.
Hiking is a great source of stress relief in general, and it can be even more so when solo. Get away from it all, enjoy peace, quiet, and solitude, and let your brain and body recharge while getting in touch with nature.
These are just a few of the big benefits of hiking solo, but you are bound to discover a few more personal ones when you embark on your own solo hikes!
How to stay safe while hiking solo
#1: Do Your Research
“Winging it” at the last moment invites trouble, whether you are hiking solo or not. Planning ahead covers many aspects of solo hiking, but specifically, it means thoroughly researching your hike in advance.
Research your trail. Know your intended route and all its details, including the difficulty levels. Learn the landmarks if possible, and the elevation profile. Learn about the typical weather patterns for that time of year, especially if you are hiking at higher elevations. What type of wildlife do you need to be aware of, and do you know what to do in an encounter? If you are utilizing a hiking app like AllTrails, read up on recent reviews, as they can notify you of unforeseen circumstances like trees down on the trail, impassable sections, flooded areas, wildlife sightings, etc.

#2: Have ALL Your Hiking Gear Essentials
This is a major part of the concept of “being prepared”. If you are going on a day hike, always have all 10 categories of day hiking essentials. If you are going on a backpacking trip, always have all the essential backpacking gear you need to live outdoors overnight. Don’t skimp on this, as you never know when you may encounter an emergency.
Always bring any recommended first aid and emergency gear. Having the right gear goes a long way in having a safe, responsible solo hike and is one of the best things you can do to prevent issues that might pop up proactively. An unforeseen circumstance on a hike can quickly escalate much more severely when hiking solo versus hiking with others, so do what you can to prevent this.
#3: Be Overly-Prepared
This doesn’t mean lugging around 60 pounds of gear for a 3-mile day hike, but it does mean having a few items of gear that can get you through an unplanned emergency. For example, when that intended 3-mile day hike turns into getting lost overnight or getting stuck in a storm, A few easy ways to mitigate this is to have some items like the following:
- An emergency water filter
- An emergency tent or bivy
- A lightweight layer (waterproof if possible)
- Extra snacks
- A backup solar-powered battery/charger
- A hiking first-aid kit
These are not large, cumbersome, or heavy items, so they are worth carrying, even if you don’t think you’ll need them. Being over-prepared matters when hiking solo.
Even experienced hikers cannot predict unforseen events, so you’ll be happy to have some of these emergency items if you ever face a situation where you need them the most. Having them in advance is better than learning the hard way!

#4: Notify Family and Friends
Regardless of where you plan to hike solo, always notify family and/or friends of your plans. This includes where you plan to hike (include the actual trailhead location and trail name), when you plan to hike, how long you expect the hike to take when you expect to finish, and when they should expect to hear from you.
Go even further and tell them about some of the trail’s identifying features, such as mountain passes or notable landmarks.
Another important notification tool is leaving an emergency contact form in your vehicle console or glove compartment when you leave to start your solo hike. This form can include your name, the date of the hike, your planned route when you intend to finish, and information for emergency contacts and how to reach them.
In a worst-case scenario, finding this information can help to expedite search and rescue and other local emergency services. In addition, if you are hiking a trail and come across a registry, be sure to list your name, whether it is required or not. This can be a crucial step in locating you if you become lost, and can help rescuers narrow down a search area and develop a timeframe.
One final step you can take to notify others is to check in with a local ranger station prior to your hike, and make them aware of your plans, especially if you are hiking solo in more remote wilderness areas.
They can also be valuable assets in learning more about anticipated weather or other conditions that may present obstacles. Rangers can have first-hand knowledge that others may not possess.
#5: ALWAYS Pay Attention to Your Surroundings
It is easy to get caught up looking at scenery, listening to music or an audiobook, or just getting lost in your thoughts during a solo hike.
After all, one of the benefits of solo hiking is to clear your head and “get away from it all”. But when you are hiking solo, you should always maintain a certain level of vigilance, which means always paying attention to your surroundings and having a heightened sense of awareness, especially if you are hiking on less populated trails or in more remote areas.
Pay attention to landmarks, as they can help you relocate yourself if you get lost. Pay attention to obstacles on the trail or potential wildlife. Pay attention to others on the trail. Finally, pay attention to fellow hikers who may be in distress.
A fellow hiker who has become immobilized may have nothing but a voice to rely on for help, and being tuned out to your surroundings due to listening to music may cause you to miss this. This is just one example of why hiking solo with earbuds/headphones is not recommended.
There are other important signals you may miss, like the rattle of a rattlesnake or the thunderclap of an impending storm.

#6: (Smartly) Use Others to Your Solo Hiking Advantage
It is not recommended to overly or obviously advertise the fact that you are hiking solo to others, but there is a way to use others to your advantage when hiking solo discreetly.
In certain circumstances, you can ask fellow hikers coming the other direction what to be aware of up ahead. They may be able to notify you of an animal encounter, obstacles on the trail, or sketchy interactions with another hiker that might pose potential issues for you on your solo hike.
This tip is best put into practice with groups of fellow hikers, and not other solo hikers. You don’t have to ever tell others you are hiking solo, you can always say that your friend or spouse is a minute behind you and catching up.
Use your gut to determine when to utilize other hikers along the hike.
#7: Be Honest With Yourself and Your Abilities
Know your abilities, especially when hiking solo. Don’t knowingly put yourself in a situation you aren’t ready for or haven’t physically trained for. Only take on what you are able and prepared for.
For example, don’t commit to a solo Rim to Rim hike in the daunting Grand Canyon or a strenuous uphill 14’er climb in Colorado if you haven’t adequately trained for it. Respect your body’s capabilities and only pursue what it can reasonably handle when solo hiking.
Conclusion
In conclusion, hiking alone offers numerous benefits, including self-reliance, freedom, and stress relief. Solly hikers can enjoy these advantages while minimizing risks by thoroughly preparing and adhering to safety measures. Key strategies include researching your trail, ensuring you have all necessary gear, being overly prepared for emergencies, informing family and friends of your plans, staying vigilant of your surroundings, wisely using the presence of other hikers, and honestly assessing your abilities. With these precautions, solo hiking can be a rewarding and safe experience, allowing you to connect deeply with nature and yourself.

About the author
Kristen Czudak is the author and adventurer behind Yonderlust Ramblings. If you are looking for a different kind of vacation, active travel is the answer! Discover just how far your own two feet can take you!