Hiking out alone can lead to a very relaxing journey that would be much different than if you were with other people. However, that would also mean that the only person you can rely on while outside is yourself.
That means any possible dangers, important equipment, and (in worse-case scenarios) potential rescue will have to be dealt with by you.
There is no one else at the scene to give you a helping hand, which is why it is essential to be aware of the ways that you can stay safe while on the trail.
Inform people of your whereabouts
The most important thing to do when you are traveling alone is to let others know where you are going and how long you estimate your journey will take.
As you cannot exactly count on anyone else to help you in the spur of the moment (because you only have yourself), it is vital that other people are informed of your whereabouts.
Should the worst come to pass, and you find yourself in a sticky situation where you are unable to escape the area, your only hope may be the people that you have disclosed your traveling information to.
If they find that you are missing after a certain amount of time, they will have the means to call in a rescue team to help save you from what may be certain death, and the faster that people realize that you are in danger, the better your chances for survival.
Travel on a well-known trail
Familiar or nearby hiking trails that are within your capabilities are the best places you can go hiking in, especially if you aren’t experienced with hiking solo yet.
Sure, it may not be as flashy as going someplace with steep ground, but the risk may very well outweigh the benefits, especially if you are traveling alone.
Don’t take unnecessary risks, because you will not have anyone with you to bail you out, and help may take longer to arrive if you are too far away.
Stay on the trail
There is a reason why the trail is the road traveled by hikers the most: It is safe, secure, and will likely get you to your destination in one piece.
While it is true that there are hikers who have successfully went away from the usual trails, these hikers usually know what they are getting themselves into and are also far more experienced.
Going out of your way because of what you may perceive to be a shortcut may very well put you at risk of getting injured, or even lost, so don’t consider it, even more so if you are going at it alone.
Don’t distract yourself with your gadgets
It might be tempting to take all the scenery in and enjoy it with things like good music from your headphones, or to take pictures because of how beautiful the place looks.
That is all well and fine, but remember, you are still hiking alone. When you have your headphones in, you are tuned out to the rest of the world, leaving you vulnerable to potential surprises.
Wild animals, people, the weather, or even accidents like walking into a wet stream without even noticing it because you could not hear the rushing water aren’t uncommon occurrences that might happen while you are distracted, which may cause injury or even lead to dangerous situations. It is always a good idea to keep focused on the trail.
Taking pictures, however, isn’t too bad, as none of your sense are being muffled, compared to headphones that take away your hearing from the environment. However, caution must still be undertaken, as an unfamiliar environment may not be 100% safe, even if it is on the trail. Make sure to scan your surroundings to make sure that it is safe before taking your pictures.
Be prepared for local wildlife animal encounters
Some hiking trails require you to travel in groups and for good reason: It may have considerably high bear activity, making it extra dangerous to travel alone.
Hiking trails that are okay with letting you hike alone aren’t likely to have unwanted guests on your trip, but it is better to be safe than sorry. Bring bear spray, and always be aware of your surroundings to ensure that you don’t accidentally alert the wildlife to your presence and have them think of you as a threat… or a meal.
Not all trails will have this though, so make sure to read up on the local wildlife of any trails you wish to go through, just so you know what to expect and prepare for should an encounter happen.
Pack extras of proper essentials
Be prepared for the unexpected. If you are not sure of how much food, water, clothing, or medicine you need, pack extras, just to be on the safe side.
It is much better to pack way too much, than to not pack enough and realize it too late when you are too far into the trail, especially when something like a sudden weather shift occurs.
Finishing Up
A solo hike can still be rewarding in its own right. It simply means that you being alone on the entire trip means that you will have to pay closer attention to everything to ensure that you remain safe and sound as you hike through the land.