Get Over Your Fear Of Hiking Alone

For years I avoided hiking alone. I had my husband to rely on so I never really had to worry about going outdoors by myself. But recently my husband and I had to do a long-distance relationship while I was living in a new city. Seattle. It was difficult. Since I knew no one, I had to make the choice of staying at home every weekend or just get out and explore on my own. I knew I had to start hiking no matter what, so I decided to start exploring.

In the end, I did it. I hiked alone, and it was one of the most liberating experiences I have ever had. I felt like I broke through a glass that was preventing me from crossing to get to the next level. Since then, I have hiked solo even when my husband moved to Seattle. So I wanted to create this post for all you ladies that feel like you can’t break through that glass. Trust me, I felt the same way just a few months ago.

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Pick A Popular, Easy Trail The First Time You are Hiking Alone

I am not going to lie, my first-time solo hiking I was an absolute mess. I was so nervous, scared, and antsy the whole way up the mountain. I was ready to take out my bear spray on anyone that even came close to me.

My first solo hike was in Olympic National Park on a very popular easy hike on Hurricane Ridge. The trail was filled with many families hiking, and it was well marked. The trail was only 3.2 Miles Round Trip with a 650foot elevation gain. With my husband, I could usually hike around 11-12 miles 3000 elevation gain max, so this trail was easy for me. I picked this easy trail on purpose.

When I got to the viewpoint I realized that I could do this. Hiking solo wasn’t as scary as it seemed. I decided that I needed to just keep on practicing.

So if you are thinking of hiking alone, I highly recommend finding a trail that would be considered easy for you. Remember that everyone is different, so what might be easy for me might not be easy for you, so make sure you adjust.

As much I hate crowds, hiking around crowds solo for the first few times did help me get over my fear. Make sure to pick a very popular trail. It does help mentally.

Go on a hike alone. Do this over and over again until you feel comfortable. It only took me one time to feel comfortable to hike solo. After Hurricane Ridge, I started doing strenuous less-trafficked hikes. Please note that it might take you more than once. If it takes you even 50 times, it doesn’t matter as long as you are trying. You can do this!!!!

Solo Hiking Essentials

One of the best ways to staying safe on the trails is by bringing the ten essentials. Even if you are hiking with someone, it is recommended to bring these ten essentials, so it is necessary if you’re hiking solo.

These ten essentials can potentially save your life in case of an emergency. It can also help you from getting lost. They are:

1. Water
2. Extra Food and Snacks
3. Emergency Blanket
4. Map and Compass
5. Sun Protection
6. First Aid Kit
7. Fire Starter
8. Headlamp
9. Extra clothes
10. Hiking Tools

I luckily have made a blog post talking about the ten essentials here:

Brush up on your outdoor skills: Learn All About The Ten Essentials Here

Bring A PLB

Something that will make you feel extremely safe is using a personal locator beacon. I haven’t always had one of these hiking solo to be honest. They are on the more expensive side but when I saw they had a sale I bought one immediately.

This little device can exchange text messages while beyond cellular range. It can also send an SOS message and your location to emergency services so they can find you. It will bring you peace of mind.

Please note that you still have to pay a monthly fee to use the device. Also, if you are low on cash, I know people that have told their loved ones about this PLB, and they have bought them for them. Your family wants you to be safe, and they might be willing to help you stay safe.

>>>You Can Buy The PLB Here

Bring Bear Spray And/Or A Knife

I always bring bear spray or a knife with me to protect myself from people and animals. I put the bear spray where the water bottle is supposed to go in my backpack for easy access, and the knife is in my pocket.

Let Someone Know Where You Are

Letting someone know your itinerary and how long it will take you to complete the hike is a great idea to feel safe. That person can alert the authorities if they haven’t heard from you in a while. I always let my friends and husband know which hikes I am hiking by myself. I usually send them a link to the trail information on All Trails.

Don’t Push Yourself Beyond Your Limits

One of the times I went solo hiking, I noticed a section of the trail was extremely narrow with a steep ledge right next to it. That didn’t scare me, though. What scared me was that it was covered in snow. If you know anything about me, I am incredibly wary of snow. I grew up in Texas, so when it comes to hiking in the snow, I try to avoid it as much as I can.

Anyways I looked at this section of the trail, and I decided to turn around. Hiking in snow isn’t my strong point. Yes, I do want to get better at it, but I would rather get better at it with people around. I felt extremely uncomfortable and scared even to attempt it, so I decided this just wasn’t for me this day. Maybe next time.

I still think you should push yourself but definitely evaluate your skills and ability. It is ok to turn around. Always remember that the mountain will always be there.

Safety Tips For Hiking Alone: Be Vigilant

I know a lot of female hikers worry about getting attacked by someone on the trail. I know I do. I am always watching people on the trails. If you are behind me or in front of me, I am always keeping an eye on you. There was a time when I hiked with a friend where I noticed a guy following us. He stopped every time we stopped and kept a very slow pace right behind us for miles. I finally stopped and told him to pass us. He immediately ran up the trail and we never saw him again.

I know this instance wasn’t me hiking solo, but if a guy was willing to follow me when I was with someone, I am sure he would have followed me while I was alone. Stay safe and be aware of your surroundings. Never hike with your earphones on.

The Positives Of Hiking On Your Own

I know I listed some pretty scary and negative situations on hiking solo, but it honestly isn’t all scary. I am pretty proud of myself for getting over my fear of hiking solo. So I wanted to list some of the great things about hiking by myself:

• You don’t have to wait for someone to get outside. The picture above is a great example of this. No one wanted to hike with me so I went to see that beautiful lake all by myself.
• You can take as long as you want. Hike at your own pace. I take soooo many pictures. People can get pretty annoyed with the number of pictures I take. It is nice not to have to worry about this.
• It builds confidence. You feel like you can do anything and everything.
• Solitude can feel refreshing at times.

How To Take Pictures Alone

One of the things I did have to get used to hiking alone is having to take pictures by myself. If you look through my site, probably 80% of my photos my husband took. So I had to get used to taking my own pictures. I will say that he is perhaps the better photographer out of us two, but I can still hold my own when it comes to photography.

So how do I take pictures then? I use a tripod. I carry it in my hiking bag, which can be a pain, but I got some awesome images because of it. You can also take selfies with your phone camera.

Still On The Fence?

Don’t worry, you don’t have to do something you are uncomfortable with. If you are still not convinced, I would highly recommend joining hiking groups. You might be able to find a hiking partner in one of the groups.

Final Thoughts On Hiking By Yourself

Well, I hope this article gave you the confidence to get outdoors. Please be safe and always remember it is ok to turn around. Hike smart and let your family know where you are at. If you need more help with hiking here are some other great hiking posts:

• The Ten Hiking Essentials
• What To Wear Hiking
• The Best Day Hiking Backpacks
• Tips and Tricks On Hiking In The Rain
• Winter Hiking Gear
• Hiking For Beginners: Hiking 101 Tips

Pin For Later: Solo Hiking Tips