Solo Hiking Tips for First-Timers

There’s something incredibly freeing about hitting the trail alone. No compromises, no pressure—just you, the outdoors, and the chance to move at your own pace. Solo hiking offers solitude, clarity, and a real sense of self-reliance.

But with that freedom comes responsibility. Being alone on the trail is empowering, but it also means you need to be more intentional about planning and safety.

In this guide, I’m covering everything first-time solo hikers need to know: how to prepare before you go, what to pack, how to stay safe, and how to build the confidence to head out solo and actually enjoy it. I’d love to hear your thoughts after you read through what I have here!

Do Your Research Before You Go

Solo hiking gives you the freedom to move at your own pace, but it also means being completely responsible for your own safety and decisions. The more you know before you go, the better equipped you’ll be to handle whatever the trail throws your way. Here’s how to prep like a pro.

Check Trail Conditions from Multiple Sources

Start with a broad search on AllTrails to get a feel for trail popularity, recent hiker reviews, and user-uploaded photos. Recent reports can give you a heads-up on muddy sections, water crossings, or overgrown trail areas. But don't rely on just one source. Visit the official website for the trail or park you’re heading into, especially for national parks or wilderness areas. They often list official trail closures, construction alerts, and safety warnings.

If you’re headed out on a backpacking trip or into the backcountry, it’s also worth calling the local ranger station. You can ask about recent wildlife sightings, like bear activity, or get insight into trail maintenance and snow conditions.

Look Beyond the Weather App

Your weather app isn’t enough especially if your hike gains elevation. Use sites like Mountain Forecast or Weather.gov to look at the full picture. Even a mild day in town can mean gusty winds, cold temps, or snow above tree line. And if you’re planning a solo trip, you don’t want to be caught off guard by weather changes halfway through your route.

Pick a Trail That’s Easier Than You Think You Need

For your first solo hike, the best trail is the one that feels a little too easy. This isn’t about pushing your limits. It’s about building trust in yourself. Stick to popular trails that are well-marked, not too remote, and already familiar to you if possible. Even better if you’ve hiked it before with friends.

You’re getting used to being alone on the trail, tuning into your surroundings, and problem-solving solo. You want to walk away feeling confident, not overextended.

Know the Route and What’s Around It

Even on shorter hikes, it's smart to go in with a good sense of the route. Look for water sources if you’re hiking longer distances, and identify trail junctions, offshoots, or bail-out points you could use if something comes up. Apps like Gaia GPS or CalTopo allow you to zoom in on topo lines and layers, helping you understand elevation gain and exposure.

Download your maps before you head out and print a paper map as a backup. Batteries die, phones get dropped, and having a physical reference can be a lifesaver.

Don’t Forget the Fine Print

Check for day-use permits, parking restrictions, and seasonal rules that might impact your hike. Some areas require advance reservations or entry fees. In certain parks, you may need to carry bear spray or follow strict Leave No Trace guidelines to help protect the local ecosystem (both of which you should be doing anyway!). These details are easy to miss, and they can make or break your day if you show up unprepared.

Pro Tip: Save your trailhead coordinates to your phone or GPS device before leaving home. Cell service often cuts out before you reach the parking lot.

Tell Someone Your Plan

One of the most important safety tips for solo hikers is also one of the easiest to overlook: always tell someone exactly where you’re going and when you expect to be back. It might feel like overkill, especially if it’s an easy day hike, but I promise this is one of the most important things you an do to safely prepare to venture out alone.

Build a Simple Itinerary

Before you go, create a short itinerary to share with a family member or close friend. It should include:

• The name of the trail or route
• Where you’re parking (include trailhead coordinates if possible)
• Your planned start time and return time
• When they should start to worry if they haven’t heard from you

Don’t just say “I’m going hiking tomorrow.” Be specific. The more details they have, the faster help can be sent if something goes wrong.

Include Emergency Contacts

In addition to your plan, give your emergency contact the phone numbers for the local ranger station, police, or fire department. If you’re hiking in a national park, these numbers are usually listed on the park’s website. Having those ready means they won’t waste time searching if they need to make a call.

If you're using a GPS device like a Garmin inReach, show your contact how to follow your live location or how to message you through the device if needed.

Leave a Backup Note

It’s also a good idea to leave a printed copy of your plan in your car, tucked under your seat or in the glovebox. If search and rescue comes looking, that information can help them narrow down your location quickly.

Keep It Private While You’re Out There

One of the less-talked-about but deeply important solo hiking tips is to be mindful of what you share and when you share it. Solo travel can be incredibly empowering, but it also makes you more vulnerable, especially if others know you’re alone.

Skip the Real-Time Updates

As tempting as it is to post a trailhead selfie or sunrise view on social media, hold off until you’re back home. Posting in real time reveals your exact location and the fact that no one is with you. Even if your account is private, you never know who’s watching. It’s safer to wait and post your solo trip highlights later.

Have a Cover Story Ready

If someone on the trail asks, “Are you out here alone?” you don’t have to tell the truth. It’s totally okay to say something like, “I’m meeting up with a friend ahead,” or “My partner’s just back at the last switchback.” Most people mean well, but you don’t owe anyone personal information.

Being vague isn't rude, it's smart.

Over-Prepare and Be Self-Sufficient

When you’re hiking solo, there’s no one coming to the rescue right away if something goes wrong. That’s not meant to scare you, it’s meant to shift your mindset. Being self-sufficient isn’t about carrying everything but the kitchen sink, but it is about thinking through potential problems and packing smart so you can handle them on your own.

Think Through the What-Ifs

Before your hiking trip, ask yourself a few simple but serious questions:

• What will I do if I twist an ankle and can’t walk?
• What if I take a wrong turn and end up out longer than expected?
• What if I come across a bear or another large animal?

Now pack with those scenarios in mind. That might mean carrying a compression wrap and first aid kit, extra snacks and water, and bear spray (and knowing how to use it).

Learn Real Skills

Taking a wilderness first aid course is one of the smartest moves you can make as a solo hiker. These classes teach you how to treat common backcountry injuries, respond to emergencies, and think critically in high-stress situations. It’s a confidence booster and that confidence translates into safer, more enjoyable hikes.

You don’t have to be a wilderness medic, but knowing how to stabilize an injury, stop bleeding, or signal for help can make a huge difference if things go sideways.

Be Ready to Get Yourself Out of a Jam

On a solo backpacking trip, you are your own backup plan. But once you realize you’ve got the tools and the mindset to handle hard things, your entire experience shifts. You move through the backcountry with more awareness, more intention, and more trust in yourself.

Pack the 10 Essentials (Plus a Few More)

The “10 Essentials” aren’t just for multi-day treks or alpine climbs. They’re for every hiking trip, especially when you’re hiking solo. Even on a short day hike, unexpected things can happen, and this gear helps you stay safe, solve problems, and get home without issue.

Here’s what every solo hiker should carry:

1. Navigation – Bring a paper map and a compass, even if you’re also using an app. GPS can glitch or run out of battery.
2. Illumination – A headlamp... yes... even if you’re planning to be done by noon. Delays happen. Don’t rely on your phone flashlight.
3. Shelter – This could be an emergency bivy, space blanket, or ultralight tarp. If you have to stay out overnight, you’ll be glad you have it.
4. Extra Water – Bring more than you think you need. A backup water bottle with a built-in filter (like a LifeStraw) is smart, especially on unfamiliar trails.
5. Extra Food – Enough to get you through an extra day if you end up stuck. High-calorie, no-prep snacks are ideal.
6. Extra Clothes – Weather can change fast. Pack extra layers, including a rain jacket and something warm, even in summer.
7. Sun Protection – Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. The basics.
8. Fire – Waterproof matches or a lighter.
9. Knife / Gear Repair – A multi-tool can help with everything from broken zippers to meal prep.
10. First Aid Kit – Customize it to your needs. Include things like blister care, an elastic bandage, ibuprofen, and allergy meds.

A Few Smart Add-Ons

For solo hiking, a few bonus items are worth the extra weight:

• A whistle (three short blasts = distress signal)
• Bear spray (and the knowledge of how and when to use it)
• Trekking poles for balance, support, and testing sketchy terrain
• Extra socks, especially if water crossings are involved

6. Plan for No Cell Service

One of the biggest mistakes new solo hikers make is assuming they’ll be able to call for help if something goes wrong. But once you step into the backcountry, your cell phone is often useless. That’s why it’s so important to have a backup communication plan that works even when you’re miles from the nearest signal.

Bring a Satellite Communication Device

If you’re serious about solo hiking, invest in a satellite communication tool like the Garmin inReach or a personal locator beacon (PLB). These devices don’t rely on cell service, they actually connect straight to satellites, which means you can send messages, share your location, and call for help from just about anywhere.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Garmin inReach Mini – Lightweight, compact, and popular with backpackers. It allows two-way messaging (via satellite), GPS tracking, and SOS alerts to 24/7 emergency services. You can also let friends or family follow your location in real time.
• PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) – Simple, no-frills emergency gear. When activated, it sends a distress signal and your GPS coordinates to search and rescue. It doesn’t allow texting or updates, just one-way emergency signaling.
• Satellite Phones – More expensive and less common, but they allow voice calls from anywhere. Usually overkill for a standard hiking trip, but worth considering for remote expeditions.

If you're not ready to buy, many outfitters and outdoor shops (including REI) offer rentals for satellite communicators and PLBs.

Trust Your Gut and Tune In

One of the most powerful tools you have when you’re hiking alone isn’t something you can pack. It’s your awareness. Solo hiking asks you to be more in tune with your surroundings and your instincts. That means staying alert, paying attention, and trusting yourself when something doesn’t feel quite right.

Minimize Distractions

It might be tempting to pop in headphones or catch up on your favorite podcasts, but when you’re out there solo, your senses are your safety net. Listening for rustling in the brush, feeling subtle weather changes, and noticing the energy of people you pass on the trail. All of that matters more when you don’t have someone else watching your back.

Leave the music for the drive home. The quiet might feel intense at first, but it quickly becomes one of the most rewarding parts of hiking alone.

Stay Connected to the Trail

As you hike, stay aware of your pace, your body, and your environment. Notice shifts in the wind or cloud cover. A clear morning can quickly turn into a storm if you’re gaining elevation, so knowing how to read a weather forecast and recognizing those changes in real time is key.

Also keep an eye on trail markers, junctions, and how you’re feeling physically. Are you more tired than expected? Getting cold despite your layers? Those subtle cues are important.

Listen to Your Instincts

One of the most empowering things you can do is give yourself full permission to turn around. If something feels off, whether it’s the trail, the weather, or an interaction that makes you uncomfortable. Trust that gut feeling. The trail isn’t going anywhere, and there’s no shame in calling it early.

Being alone in nature teaches you to trust yourself in a way few other experiences can. The more you practice tuning in, the sharper that internal compass gets.

8. Leave No Trace + Solo Safety Reminders

Part of being a responsible solo hiker is taking care of the places you visit.

Respect the Trail and Everything On It

The Leave No Trace principles aren’t just for backpackers. They apply to every trailhead, every day hike, and every level of hiker. Stick to marked hiking trails, avoid cutting switchbacks, and pack out all your trash (yes, even the apple core). Don’t pick wildflowers or feed wildlife, and be mindful of noise in quiet areas.

When you practice Leave No Trace, you’re not only protecting the environment, you’re also protecting the experience for other hikers.

Know What to Do If You Get Lost

It happens. You miss a turn, lose the trail, or realize your map doesn’t match your surroundings. If you ever feel truly disoriented during a solo adventure, the best thing you can do is stop moving.

Stay put, calm your breathing, and take stock of where you are. Blowing your whistle in three short bursts is an international distress signal. If you’ve shared your plan with someone and have a GPS or personal locator beacon, this is when that preparation pays off.

Keep It Easy for Your First Solo Outing

I know I’ve already said this, but this is the hardest part for me, so I’ll say it again... even if you’re used to steep climbs and big mileage, dial it back when you’re hiking alone, especially on your first few solo trips. Choose terrain that’s well within your comfort zone, where you’re not pushing your limits physically or mentally. The goal is to ease into solo hiking, build confidence, and have a positive experience, not to bag a summit or prove a point.

Some of the best hiking days come from choosing the right trail, not the hardest one.

Get Out There, Push Your Comfort Zone, But Let’s Do It Safely

Ready to plan your next outing?

Download camping.tools for a free planning platform where you can research trails, map out your route, and connect with a community of hikers and campers. Whether you're gearing up for a weekend hike or planning a longer backcountry trip, it's the perfect tool to help you prepare.