8 Essential Hiking Tips for Beginners: 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 my top 8 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!
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, including a map, or a downloaded guide on your phone. 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. Also, bring a few first aid supplies and repair kits, just in case anything goes awry. Be sure to pack enough nutrition and water based on how long you’re going to be gone. Granola and/or protein bars, fruits, and nuts are great choices. 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. Final tip: headlamps are cheap and great essentials to throw in your pack! Just in case you get stuck in the dark, a headlamp will help light your way.
Wear the right shoes
If you want to be a happy hiker, be sure to invest in quality hiking shoes. Outdoor stores like REI have great choices. 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!
Dress for success
You want to be comfortable and prepared when dressing for hiking. For me, this means layers, especially a moisture-wicking base layer, or shirts in a material like polyester. What’s a moisture-wicking base layer (you may be asking)? Moisture-wicking fabrics are fabrics with the ability to pull moisture away from the skin and help it to evaporate. Trust me, you don’t want to be hiking in sweaty clothes all day! You can find moisture-wicking garments at stores like Uniqlo, or online by googling moisture-wicking apparel.
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 Ziploc to put your garbage or any used products in.
Ready to hit the trails? Check out my list of the top 10 best hikes in the Catskills.