Hiking is an exciting hobby. Like the hikers say “Some risks are worth taking”. You learn a whole lot of new things on your every hiking quest. You’ll have a lot many experiences- pleasant, dangerous, mind-blowing, good, bad…but through it all, you’ll learn how to survive!
A lot of females hesitate taking up hiking as a hobby, even though they feel passionate about it. And yes, we do acknowledge their fears and security concerns, but where there’s a will, there’s a way! We have come up with a collection of tips from female solo hikers all around the world. Get to know this first-hand information from these hiking pros themselves!
April Sylva
Experience: 1500+ miles
- Learn to read maps. It’s essential.
- Use your brain. That’s the only thing that helps when you’ve run out of all options.
Sage Clegg
Experience: 9000+ miles solo.
- Always carry a Runner’s Mace. It provides a good security cover.
- A Spot Beacon is a must. It’s the best way to communicate or make distress calls.
Erin Saver
Experience: 8000+ miles
- Equip yourself with a messenger device. DeLorme InReach, a two-way messenger, works well.
- Read blogs written by female solo hikers. They help a lot.
Liz Thomas
Experience: 7500+ miles
- Set up your camp a mile away from the road. Unforeseen things generally happen because people drive through in cars.
- Keep away from posting your whereabouts on social media, no matter how tempting it is. It is however essential that a few trusted people know your location from time to time.
Cheryl Hadrych
Experience: 900+ miles
- It is not necessary to keep conversing with someone if you don’t want to.
Some other important tips:
- Plan your schedule systematically.
- Make sure you are self-sufficient.
- Research the trail properly.
- Take along all the necessary gear.
- If it’s bear habitat, learn how to use bear sprays and bear canisters.
- Keep yourself physically fit. Increase your endurance and stamina.
- Make a checklist. Pack well and pack light.
- Don’t forget to take your first-aid kit along.
- Instead of taking heavy books along, bring your Kindle.
- Take along feel-good stuff like chocolate bars, hot cocoa to treat yourself.
- Popular solo female hiker blogs that you can follow, to get detailed personal experiences are:
- Hiking Lady
- Bearfoot Theory
- Appalachian Trail Girl
- Dirtbag Darling
- Lady on a Rock
- Hiking for Her
- Hike like a woman
- Mountain Chicks
- Lady Hike
- Betty Mountain Girl
What are you thinking about? Go, conquer your fears and create memories for a lifetime!