5 Helpful Hiking Tips For Beginners

Fall is upon us. The leaves are changing the weather is getting a bit cooler. And here at home, it’s that time of year when I’m ready to dust off the hiking boots and get out and explore. When I re-discovered my love of hiking a few years back, I learned, from trial and mostly error, a few essentials for a successful day hike. So today, I’m sharing 5 hiking tips for beginners.

Pre-Planning

Before you go, review your trail on an app like All Trails to familiarize yourself with the hike, distance, and trail rating. It’s never fun when you choose a trail that is beyond your current hiking level. Read the most recent reviews to see if hikers have mentioned anything of concern, such as a bridge out, wildlife sighting, or safety issues. It is better to know in advance if you need to opt for a different hike.

What to Pack

I prefer taking along a lightweight day pack for hiking, so I can conveniently carry the items I need. Here’s what is typically in my bag: first aid kit, bug spray, sunscreen, water, snacks/ food, and pepper spray or mace. And of course, I always bring my phone or camera for picture taking.

When I began hiking a few years ago, my daughter and I hiked to the top of Yonah Mountain. We were so ill-prepared. While we did bring water, but when we got to the top and saw everyone enjoying the lunches they had packed, we were immediately starving and realized we’d made a huge mistake in not packing snacks. The hike would have been more enjoyable had we brought along food.

When you Arrive

When you arrive, pull up the trail again on the All Trails app and take a few screenshots. You could lose cell service, which could prove to be problematic, with a poorly marked trail. Speaking from personal experience, feeling lost isn’t a good one- trust me.

Before you set off on your hike, read the signs at the trailhead. I can’t emphasize this enough. We failed to do this on our hike at Panther Creek Falls. After a few miles of hiking, we realized that a storm had taken out the bridges that crossed the creek. Left with two options, turning back or braving the chilly water, we chose option two. It was a great hike and certainly memorable, however had we read the signs we would have ben better prepared.

Enjoy the Hike

Now that you’ve prepared for a successful hike with these hiking tips for beginners, all that’s left to do is to immerse yourself in nature, enjoy the views, and make some memories.

Safety Tips

Tell someone where you are going
Try to hike with a buddy if possible
Bring your phone (realize that some hiking areas will not have cell service)
Trust your gut- if you have a bad feeling, turn around
Bring pepper spray (You can easily find it on Amazon or at a safety supply store)