Hiking is one of the most rewarding outdoor activities, offering fresh air, physical exercise, and a deep connection to nature. Whether you’re exploring a local trail or tackling a remote mountain peak, the experience can be both exhilarating and therapeutic. However, the wilderness is unpredictable, and hiking safety should always be a top priority when venturing out into the wild.
Every year, we get calls from hikers who face accidents ranging from minor injuries to life-threatening situations. Fortunately, most of these incidents can be avoided with proper preparation and a few essential safety practices. This article covers crucial hiking safety tips to ensure that your adventure remains enjoyable and safe from start to finish.
1. Plan Ahead and Know Your Trail To Keep Safe
One of the most important aspects of hiking safety is preparation. Always research your trail before heading out to ensure you’re ready for the hike. Here’s how to do it:
- Trail Information: Study a map of the trail and understand its length, difficulty, and elevation gain. Websites, guidebooks, and apps like AllTrails or CalTopo can provide useful details.
- Trail Conditions: Check the weather forecast to avoid dangerous conditions, such as thunderstorms, snow, or extreme temperatures. Also, consider trail conditions like mud, ice, or downed trees that may affect your hike. In a place like southern Utah, it’s important to know what to expect given the time of year. Sudden monsoon thunderstorms are often difficult to predict, but they are much more likely and something to be cautious about during certain times of year and for certain types of hikes (eg. slot canyons).
- Time of Day: Know how long the hike will take. Plan your hike so that you have enough daylight to finish the trail. Never start a hike too late in the day, especially in remote areas where navigation can be difficult.
- Cell Service: Understand that you may lose cell service in remote areas. Always have a backup plan, such as telling a friend or family member your itinerary and estimated return time.
2. Hiking Safety Includes Packing the Right Gear
What you bring on a hike can make a significant difference in your safety and comfort. Here’s a checklist of essential hiking gear:
- Navigation Tools: A map and compass or GPS device are crucial, especially if you’re hiking in unfamiliar terrain. Don’t rely solely on your phone’s GPS—batteries can die, and signal can be lost. Apps like AllTrails, CalTopo, Gaia, and OnX, allow you to download maps for offline use ahead of time.
- Water: A large part of hiking safety is to always carry enough water to stay hydrated, especially on longer hikes. A general rule is to bring about half a liter of water per hour of hiking. Consider bringing a water filtration system or purification tablets in case you need to refill from natural water sources.
- Food: Pack high-energy snacks like trail mix, granola bars, or energy gels to keep your energy up. It’s a good idea to carry more food than you think you’ll need, especially on longer hikes.
- Clothing: Wear moisture-wicking clothing that’s appropriate for the weather. Avoid cotton, as it absorbs sweat and stays wet. Always bring layers, including a windproof or waterproof jacket, to adapt to changing conditions. Also keep in mind that conditions in the mountains and desert are much cooler at night, and can be treacherous in the winter. See our Winter Safety guide for more details.
- First Aid Kit: A basic first aid kit should include bandages, antiseptic wipes, blister treatment, pain relievers, and any personal medications you might need.
- Headlamp/Flashlight: Always bring a flashlight or headlamp. You may not plan on finishing in the dark, but the unexpected may happen even when practicing hiking safety measures. People twist their ankle a half mile from the trail head, or get lost, or any other number of other circumstances cause you to be finishing without the sun. It is important to have a light source outside of your phone flashlight.
- Emergency Supplies: Consider bringing an emergency whistle, a multi-tool, fire-starting materials, and a space blanket, especially for more remote hikes.
3. Dress Appropriately
Wear the right clothing and footwear for the conditions you might encounter. Proper clothing not only helps you stay comfortable, but it also offers protection from the elements:
- Footwear: Hiking boots or shoes with good tread and ankle support are essential, particularly for rocky or uneven trails. Make sure they’re well-broken-in before heading out so you don’t end up with sore spots or blisters that could affect your ability to hike comfortably.
- Clothing Layers: Dress in layers to stay comfortable in fluctuating temperatures. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer to keep sweat away from your skin, followed by an insulating layer (like fleece), and a waterproof or windproof outer layer.
- Hat and Sunglasses: A wide-brimmed hat can protect you from sunburn, while sunglasses can protect your eyes from glare and UV rays.
4. Know Your Limits and Stay Within Your Abilities
While hiking can be a fantastic physical challenge, it’s essential to choose a trail that matches your fitness level and experience. If you’re new to hiking or are tackling a longer or steeper trail, start with easier routes and gradually work your way up.
- Pace Yourself: Don’t overexert yourself—take breaks when needed and listen to your body. Hiking too quickly or without adequate rest can lead to fatigue, dehydration, or injury.
- Turn Around if Needed: If you’re running out of time, feeling unwell, or unsure about conditions, it’s always safer to turn back early than to push forward and risk getting lost or injured.
5. Stay on Marked Trails
Staying on designated paths is a fundamental hiking safety rule. Straying from marked trails can increase your risk of getting lost, encountering dangerous terrain, or disturbing the local ecosystem.
- Follow Trail Markers: Look for signs, cairns (rock stacks), or trail blazes to stay on course. If you ever get lost, retrace your steps to the last marker you saw.
- Avoid Shortcuts: Taking shortcuts across switchbacks or through rough terrain can increase erosion, disturb wildlife, and put you in dangerous situations.
6. Hike with a Buddy
While solo hiking can be a rewarding experience, it’s generally safer to hike with a friend or group, especially on longer or more challenging trails.
- Buddy System: Having a hiking companion means you have someone to help in case of an injury, and you’ll be able to share the load and responsibility.
- Stay Together: Always stick together. If you need to take a break, stop at the same time and in the same place. It’s also important to communicate if one person needs to take a different route or go slower.
7. Be Aware of Wildlife
Many hiking trails pass through wildlife habitats. While most animals are not a threat to humans, it’s important to be aware of the wildlife in the area and understand how to behave around them:
- Bears: In areas with bears, carry bear spray and know how to use it. Avoid keeping food in your tent and be mindful of your food storage.
- Snakes: Watch where you step, especially in rocky or grassy areas. If you encounter a snake, remain calm and slowly back away.
- Other Animals: In some areas, there may be other potentially dangerous animals like mountain lions or coyotes. Be alert, make noise to alert animals to your presence, and avoid hiking alone at dawn or dusk when animals are more active.
8. Know How to Handle an Emergency
Even with all the preparation, emergencies can still happen. Knowing how to react in these situations can make a big difference in your safety:
- Injury: If someone is injured, stay calm. Apply first aid, and if the injury is severe, call for help. Have a plan to signal for rescue if necessary.
- Lost?: If you become lost, try to stay calm. Use your map and compass, retrace your steps, wait for help, or call for help if possible. Avoid wandering aimlessly, as this can increase the risk of further getting lost and make it more challenging for us to find you. For more tips on what to do if you do get lost, please see the information on our Hug a Tree page or How to Become More Visible to Drones and Helicopters page.
- Weather: If a storm is approaching, seek shelter immediately. Lightning can strike high points, so avoid open fields and tall trees.
9. Leave No Trace
One final piece of hiking safety is environmental responsibility. Practice the Leave No Trace https://lnt.org/ principles by cleaning up after yourself, respecting wildlife, and minimizing your impact on the natural world.
- Pack Out Trash: Take all of your trash with you, including food wrappers, tissues, and broken gear. Dispose of waste properly.
- Respect Nature: Don’t disturb plants, animals, or geological features. Stay on the trail, and don’t remove rocks or plants as souvenirs.
Conclusion: Enjoy the Outdoors Safely
Hiking is a wonderful way to experience nature, build physical strength, and clear your mind. By following these safety tips, you can ensure your outdoor adventures are safe, enjoyable, and fulfilling. Preparation is key, and the more informed you are about your trail, gear, and abilities, the less likely you’ll face problems along the way. Happy hiking, and remember, if you do find yourself in an unsafe situation, we will always come to you!
