Hiking Safety: 15 Essential Tips for a Secure and Enjoyable Hike

The ultimate goal of any excursion is to stay safe while immersing yourself in nature's wonders and safety should never take a backseat when it comes to exploring the great outdoors. That's why I've compiled a list of 15 essential hiking safety tips to keep you well-prepared and secure on the trails. So lace up your boots, grab your backpack, and let's dive into these essential hiking safety measures!

1. Research and Plan: Study the trail, weather conditions, and any potential hazards before heading out. The goal before you head out is making sure you understand the terrain and are able to be prepared for different scenarios on the trail. Some things to consider researching and planning for are the route you will be taking, the gear you will need, the weather, and any potential hazards that may crop up.

2. Dress Appropriately: Wear moisture-wicking and layered clothing suitable for the weather. Wearing layers is one of the smartest things you can do when adventuring in the outdoors. You can add or remove layers depending on the outside conditions and to regulate your body temperature to avoid becoming overheated or protecting you from the cold.

3. Wear Proper Footwear: Choose sturdy, comfortable hiking boots with good traction. Having the right boots can prevent blisters, keep your feet from aching, and reduce the risk of ankle sprains. The right footwear will have some sort of waterproofing or water resistance, but still maintain breathability. You'll also want good traction on the soles to help on slippery or uneven surfaces.

4. Carry a Map: Familiarize yourself with navigation tools and use them as needed. This one is pretty self explanatory, but having a trail map can not only be helpful when lost but can also provide an additional resource for exploring items of interest along the way. Never miss a scenic experience again - familiarize yourself with the map!

5. Pack Essential Gear: Include items like a first aid kit, headlamp, whistle, and multi-tool. You will probably not be able to pack for every possible scenario on an adventure but you can pack for quite a few of them. If you need any suggestions, see my other posts for ideas and inspiration on what to bring with you. The main things to include in your backpack (besides the map!) would be a flashlight, knife or multitool, first aid kit, sunscreen, hat, bug repellent, and most importantly a water bottle.

6. Bring Adequate Water: Carry enough water and stay hydrated throughout the hike. Everyone has different needs when it comes to water intake, so be especially mindful of the difficulty of the hike, the weather, and even then still remember to pack extra water. If you feel fatigued or thirsty make sure to take a break!

7. Pack Nutritious Snacks: Bring energy-rich snacks to keep your energy levels up. Seek out highly portable but nutritious foods. Some good options are trail mix, fresh fruit like bananas and apples, jerky, and some type of nut butter packets. These types of foods will provide you with a boost of energy and are super convenient.

8. Check Weather Conditions: Stay updated on weather forecasts to avoid unexpected storms. As you'll notice, several of these tips correlate closely with each other. If its hot, pack extra water. If its cold, pack extra layers. If its going to rain or be super windy, pack accordingly. Plan ahead and be prepared!

9. Let Others Know: Inform someone about your hiking plans, including the route and estimated return time. This tip is purely for safety reasons, by letting someone know your itinerary you are able to have peace of mind knowing that someone will be able to provide or send timely assistance in the event of an emergency.

10. Hike with a Partner: Hiking with someone else or a group of people not only increases your safety but it is also much more fun to enjoy nature with others and to share in the experience!

11. Stay on Marked Trails: Stick to designated paths to avoid getting lost or causing environmental damage. Not only is this a HUGE safety tip, it is also an environmental one. Staying on marked trails makes it a thousand times easier for help to find you in case of an accident and you are able to preserve the natural element for others by not contributing to destruction of the environment by straying off the appropriate trail.

12. Pace Yourself: Take breaks when needed and don't push beyond your physical limits. Take a rest when you feel tired, you don't want to be exhausted halfway through a long excursion and not be able to continue. What is the point of enjoying nature when you rush through the adventure?

13. Be Aware of Wildlife and Plantlife: Keep a safe distance, don't feed them, and properly store food to prevent attracting animals. We've all seen those viral videos of the great big bear coming down the path or the mountain lion growling from down the path. It is exciting to watch behind a screen, but I can guarantee you wouldn't want to experience that moment in the flesh. Be prepared and familiarize yourself ahead of time of the wildlife in the area. If nothing else, research poisonous plants and venomous snakes in the area just to be a little prepared.

14. Protect Against Sun Exposure: Wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to shield yourself from harmful UV rays. Pretty self explanatory but remember even on cloudy days you still need to protect yourself!

15. Know Basic First Aid: Carry a first aid kit and have knowledge of basic first aid procedures. Some things to educate yourself about: how to treat blisters, what to do if you sprain an ankle, treating a sunburn (just in case), and dehydration. This is just the tip of the iceberg but these are a great place to start.

BONUS TIPS:

Bonus Tip #1: Listen to Your Body: Pay attention to signs of fatigue, dehydration, or pain, and respond accordingly. Your body is your best resource for traversing the wilderness so be sure to take good care of it and listen to its cues. This is why it is important to pack snacks, bring extra water, dress in layers, and to know basic first aid. Bringing and knowing all of these things is only half the battle - knowing when to implement and do them is the other half and your natural instincts will help with that.

Bonus Tip #2: Follow Leave No Trace principles and pack out all trash. This is the concept of minimizing your impact on the natural environment while enjoying outdoor activities. A common phrase for this is "Leave nothing but footprints and take nothing but pictures". The best way to do that is to leave the area the same or better as you found it by being considerate of others, taking trash with you, and respecting wildlife. By following these principles you can help preserve the beauty of nature and help ensure that future generations can enjoy the wonders found outside.