12 Essential Hiking Tips for Beginners: How to Prepare for Your Adventure
Hiking is one of my all-time favorite hobbies. It offers many benefits, like a great workout, scenic views, and, of course, it’s fun! But what I really love about hiking is the thrill of it. Unlike walking around the block, hiking can be unpredictable. But what sets hiking apart is its element of surprise – every trail presents its own unique challenges and experiences. That’s why I’ve compiled a list of 12 essential tips for the beginner hiker to ensure that your first treks are safe and successful — check them out. Happy hiking!
Bell Rock in Sedona, Arizona
Choose the right trail for your fitness level
You will want to use your wisdom for your first hike. While it’s great to want to challenge yourself, be sure to get a sense of what distance and elevation changes will work well for you. You know your body best. Once you have a few hikes under your belt, you can up the ante!
Check the weather
This sounds like a no-brainer, but it’s super important to check the weather forecast right before you go. That way, you’ll know what to wear and what to pack. Hint: Wear layers and bring a backpack!
Find the Perfect Trail
Use online resources to choose trails based on difficulty and amenities. Know the parking and facilities ahead of time. AllTrails is a great platform for downloading offline maps, receiving wrong-turn alerts and extra planning features.
Tell your loved ones where you’re going
It’s always important that someone who’s not on the hike with you knows your itinerary. While this may seem overly cautious, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Need ideas on where to go hike? Check out this list of outdoor activities that guarantee fun for the whole family!
Pack the essential items
You don’t want to get stuck on a long hike without safety items. Often, your cell connection goes dark, so I always recommend having screenshots of your trail on your phone or written down. Be sure to bring all the essentials for sun protection, too — this includes SPF cream, a hat, and sunglasses.
Don’t forget first-aid essentials
Just in case anything goes awry, be sure to pack a first-aid kit, water, and nutrition (I make my own granola energy bars at home and bring them with me on hikes) based on how long you’re going to be gone. Also, if you plan on being out for long periods of time, bring a tent or emergency shelter and warm clothes for when the sun goes down.
Dress for success
When dressing for hiking, you want to be comfortable and prepared. For me, this means layers, especially a moisture-wicking base layer, which is a fabric that can pull moisture away from the skin and help it evaporate. Trust me—you don’t want to be hiking in sweaty clothes all day.
changing in PRIVACY
And speaking of clothing, for hikers venturing on extended weekend hikes or longer trails, the PackTowl Changing Poncho is an essential item. This product combines the functionality of a quick-drying towel with the privacy of a personal changing room, ideal for those moments when space and seclusion are scarce. With its fast-drying properties, odor resistance, and water absorption, this poncho ensures comfort and convenience after a day on trails.
Keep it light and pace yourself
The key to a successful hike is your pace. You want to pick a pace that you can maintain all day. Trust me, you’ll feel good about it after a few miles, especially during inclines.
Leave no trace
Beware of your carbon footprint and take care of the earth’s natural spaces by taking all your trash out with you. This includes any wipes, food, and beverage garbage, etc. I recommend bringing a reusable bag to put your garbage or any used products in.
Keep your energy up
Quench your thirst on your next outdoor adventure with an all-natural electrolyte drink mix to replenish what you lose through sweat during your hike quickly. Tailwind Nutrition's Rapid Hydration is a great option with an optimal blend of electrolytes and Vitamin C. This powder dissolves rapidly and clearly, offering a clean, light taste that ensures you stay hydrated while navigating the trails all day.
Wear the right shoes
If you want to be a happy hiker, be sure to invest in quality hiking shoes. Definitely try them on and make sure they’re comfortable before you hit the trail. Also, don’t skimp on socks — wool or synthetic socks are the way to go. You don’t want to get cold feet when hiking — see some of my top picks below.
Ready to hit the trails? Check out my list of the top 10 best hikes in the Catskills.