This hiking for beginners article will take you from looking like a newb to looking like an expert on the trail with simple tips and tricks.
I was too young to remember my first hike. It likely happened with me sitting on my dad’s shoulders or strapped into a baby carrier on my dad’s back.
On my class trips in college while obtaining an Environmental Conservation degree, I could tell many of my peers were new hikers.
They were unprepared and made avoidable mistakes. I understood hiking for beginners is often overwhelming. So, instead of shaming or making fun of them, I did my best to help them make the best of the next trip.
The following hiking tips for beginners come from years of hiking with my family and teaching my peers in college.
What Is Hiking?
Since hiking can mean many different things to various people, let’s start by defining what hiking means.
Most of my hikes have been day hikes, meaning I was on the trail for a few minutes to a few hours. Because many state and national parks have hiking trails 1-10 miles long, this is what most new hikers mean by the term.
Of course, longer trails exist that require longer hikes. However, if you must camp overnight to complete the trail, I consider this backpacking or backpack camping, not traditional hiking.
For the rest of this article, we will primarily focus on day hiking, but many tips also apply to longer hikes.
How To Prepare for a Hike
Hiking is one of my favorite ways to stay in decent shape. Getting married and having a kid can really impact a guy’s fitness level!
I love that I can experience nature and exercise at the same time. However, being unprepared for a hike can be frustrating and very dangerous.
Here’s how to avoid the frustration and dangers while on the trail. Knowing how to prepare for a hike can make the difference between a fun outing and a miserable slog.
- Know your limits
- Use the correct gear
- Plan your hike
- Check the weather forecasts before leaving
- Know the trail conditions
- Have an “In-Case of Emergency” plan
- Let someone know your plans
Beginner Hiking Preparation Plan
My wife is the family’s planner, and I go with the flow and figure things out when we get there.
However, figuring things out when you get there is not ideal for hiking. Yes, I’ve approached hiking like that in the past and been just fine, but I know others who have done the same, and it cost them dearly. This is why I recommend all beginner hikers create a hiking plan.
There’s no need to overcomplicate it, either.
Step 1
I typically start by finding a trail I can hike in the time I have set aside for the day. Then, I’ll use the All Trails app and a Google search to learn what to expect on the trail if I’ve never been there before.
Step 2
Once I’ve picked a suitable trail, I’ll check the local weather conditions to determine the best day and time to hike it. I also like to know what the weather was like a few days before to judge the trail conditions accurately.
Step 3
Wear the proper clothing. If it’s warm, I’ll likely wear lightweight hiking pants and a T-shirt. One of the most important items is your hiking boots. I used to wear tennis shoes, but they are often slippery and don’t support your ankles well.
Bring extra layers to keep warm or stay dry if it’s cold or raining.
Step 4
Bring the best hiking gear for beginners. The specific gear you need will vary depending on the trail and time of year, but I always recommend bringing extra water. I’ve run out of water on hikes before, and it was a miserable experience.
Step 5
Lastly, tell someone when and where you’ll be and how long you expect to be gone.
Now that we’ve developed a basic plan, it’s time to discuss what items are essential for a positive experience on your first hike.
Hiking Essentials for Beginners
Another reason why I love hiking is that it’s an affordable hobby. Most people already own everything they need to get started hiking.
Don’t worry if that’s not you; I’ve compiled a list of the hiking essentials for beginners below.
Hiking Gear List for Beginners
Here’s a quick checklist of everything you’ll need for a short day hike, no matter your skill level.
- Hiking boots
- Hat/sunglasses
- Backpack
- Water bottle with more than enough water
- First aid kit
- Sunscreen/bug-repellent combo
- Knife
- Wallet
- Keys
- Phone/GPS
- Map and compass
If you plan to stay a little longer, I also recommend bringing these items-
- Snacks (trail mix and jerky might be cliche, but it’s delicious!)
- Hiking sticks
- Flashlight
- Firestarter/ lighter
Of course, you could pack everything you can, but I recommend initially packing as little as possible. Then, adjust your packing according to what you need most and leave out what you never use (except the first aid kit).
Now that we know what gear we need, let’s discuss several tips to help you avoid mistakes commonly made by beginner hikers.
3 Incredibly Simple Beginner Hiking Tips
Over the years, I’ve learned many hiking tips from fellow hikers and based on personal experience. Here are the ones that directly apply to beginners.
- Gradually break in your boots
- Be respectful of other hikers and nature
- Have a basic understanding of directions
I should have broken in the first pair of hiking boots I purchased before I went on a long hike. Talk about blisters! To avoid getting blisters on your feet, as I did, gradually break in your new boots. Walk around the block a few times a week before hiking in them for several miles.
One of my biggest pet peeves is disrespectful people. It takes minimal effort to be respectful of other hikers and pick up after yourself while you’re on the trail. In some areas, I must bring an extra sack for other people’s trash, which infuriates me to no end.
My mom has very little sense of direction; thankfully, I got my sense of direction from my dad. As a hiker, knowing what direction you’re facing, without having to look at your GPS, phone, or compass, will help you from getting completely lost.
This is harder to do in certain locations, but it’s something we can always practice.
Hiking Tips for Beginners Safety
While I recommend everyone get into hiking, I also understand it can get sketchy on the trail. Following the safety tips below will allow you to safely return home and have a more enjoyable experience in nature.
- Stay within your limits
- Avoid serious risks
- Be able to identify venomous animals and poisonous plants
- Know how to use your first aid kit
- Always bring extra water
I’m known for pushing the limits, and my wife is not a fan. I think this comes from growing up wrestling, where we pushed ourselves to improve. However, staying within your limits is the best and safest option for hiking. If you don’t think you can hike 5 miles, opt for the 3-mile hike.
Putting yourself or others in a riskier position than needed is unnecessary. At times, you’ll encounter a sketchy portion of the trail, and it’s up to you to determine if you’re capable of handling it and if it’s worth the risk.
I always recommend taking the cautious route. My dad and I once went hiking at the Buffalo National River.
There, we came across a portion of the trail where you had to hug a rock outcropping over a steep drop. Though other hikers were doing it, it was not a risk we were unwilling to take, so we turned around and headed back to the car.
One of the biggest mistakes most people make is being unable to identify plants and animals. Since I’m highly allergic to poison ivy, I quickly learned how to spot it in the woods, and over the years, I’ve developed a keen eye for venomous snakes vs non-venomous snakes.
There are dozens of handy guidebooks and apps to help you correctly identify dangerous plants and animals.
It’s not enough to bring a first aid kit; you must know how to use it properly. Taking an introductory first aid course will help you help fellow hikers and yourself in case of injury while on the trail.
Dehydration is no joke, so always bring more water than you think you’ll need. You might come across someone who needs it, or you might need it yourself.
Heading Home
Hiking for beginners doesn’t have to be as daunting as it seems. As long as you follow the tips above, you’ll have an exciting and enjoyable adventure on the trail.
I hope to see you out there!
If you have questions or comments, leave them below!
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