6 tips for hiking alone

1.get to know your physical condition

Hiking is an outdoor sport that can be practised at different levels. That’s why it’s important to get to know yourself, to determine your current physical condition . Especially if you’re going out alone. Your aim is to walk safely, enjoy yourself and appreciate the scenery.

Adapt the course to your physical condition

Knowing your physical condition will enable you to choose a hiking itinerary suited to your experience. For example, if you’ve never hiked before and are a complete beginner, I’d advise you to start with an easy, signposted route. In other words, one that doesn’t involve a great deal of change in altitude and doesn’t cover many kilometers. You can increase the distance as you go along. Next, it’s important to take the gradient into account, to avoid selecting a trail that’s too difficult. This will obviously avoid excessive fatigue, as well as the frustration of not succeeding as you’d hoped.

Prevent injuries

Hiking involves many muscles, particularly those of the legs and back, as well as the joints. Depending on your day-to-day activity, some of these muscles may not be active, or may not be active at all. As a result, if you take on a hike that’s a little too strenuous, your body may be put under too much stress, which can lead to injury. A good knowledge of your fitness level will enable you to prepare yourself accordingly.

Managing effort and endurance

It’s important to start slowly, so that your heart rate doesn’t get out of control. Besides, the advantage of being alone is that you don’t have to adapt to someone else’s pace! The best way to manage effort is to avoid taking too many breaks, and to walk at your own pace. So avoid excessive fatigue by maintaining a comfortable walking pace.

Responding to the unexpected

This is a very important aspect to bear in mind, especially when hiking solo. Out in the wilderness, unforeseen events can happen. Even if you think you’ve planned everything! Indeed, a sudden change in the weather, terrain that’s more difficult than expected because it rained the day before, or an error in orientation can happen very quickly. But if you’re aware of your physical condition, you’ll be able to better assess your ability to cope with a hike that stretches into the night.

2. Learn the basics of orientation

Practical apps

Today, there are a number of really useful hiking apps to help you find your way around. Decathlon Outdoor, Alltrails, Visorando… are just a few examples. These generally allow you to find routes, but also to track your position directly on the map (even offline, if you’ve downloaded the map beforehand, usually on the premium versions of the apps), or to export the GPX to track it on a connected watch, for example. Easy to use, these apps are excellent allies if you want to start hiking on your own… But don’t forget to charge your phone first, as they are often power-hungry.

Why is it important to learn how to read a map?

In addition, it’s always a good idea to know how to read and carry a paper IGN map, and to know how to use a compass. What if your phone runs out of battery? What if there’s no reception at all? In the mountains or in the forest, the telephone network can be weak or even non-existent. Even if you’ve downloaded the map to your phone for offline use, relying solely on your phone or watch can be risky. Again, remember that you’re on your own, and two precautions are better than one. Here’s a story that happened to me:

“One autumn day, a friend and I went hiking in the Vosges. We both knew the terrain very well, as we often hiked in the area. But we started talking and forgot to follow our signs! As a result, we got lost. There was no network. We didn’t have connected watches or phones with maps that could be read off-line. But we both knew how to read a map and use a compass. Apart from the fact that we arrived at the car at night with our headlamps on, everything went smoothly in the end. “

It’s also important to get to know the different markings in the mountains and on the plains, so you can understand them properly. Sometimes, some are very similar but different: once you know them, it’ll be obvious.

How do you get started?

If you want to learnhow to read an IGN map anduse a compass, there are online training courses or practical hiking workshops in the field, which will teach you the basics. I urge you to get trained if you feel it will help you set off with greater confidence !

3.select your equipment wisely

What clothing is essential for getting started?

It’s best to choose equipment that’s adapted to your morphology, so that you feel comfortable on the move. The most important thing is to choose the right pair of hiking boots. It’s important to go to the store, try them on and walk around in them for a while, to make sure there’s no rubbing. Then, while you’re at it, select a pair of fairly thick technical socks. They’ll save you from blisters.

Secondly, the choice of hiking clothing is just as important. The three-layer rule applies particularly well to hiking: a breathable first layer to wick away perspiration, an insulating second layer to keep you warm, and a windproof and waterproof third layer to protect you from the elements. It’s also a good idea to pack a comfortable sports bra, to provide support during exercise.

What equipment do you need to get started?

As you are going hiking alone, it is important to realize that you can only rely on yourself to equip yourself with the essentials without overloading yourself:

• A hiking backpack
• A gourd
• A snack
• Sunglasses
• A headlamp

• A first-aid kit
• A multifunction knife
• Hiking poles

In conclusion, once you’ve purchased all your equipment, test it at home or on a ride before you leave. This will enable you to make any necessary changes.

4. Plan your solo hiking itinerary

Here are the 4 steps to planning your hike alone:

• How long will it take? Before you set out on a hiking trail, it’s essential to plan your outing carefully. To do this, it’s important to know how much time you have, so you can choose the right hike.
• How many kilometers? : Without hurrying, count 3 km per hour.
• Which hike: Find inspiration on dedicated apps like Decathlon Outdoor, Alltrails or Visorando.
• Which tools? Remember to download your route on your smartphone (so that you can also have it offline, in case you don’t have a network). Then, get yourself an IGN map in paper format, just in case.

To sum up, to start hiking solo, I’d advise you to choose an itinerary of around 6 to 10 kilometers with less than 500 meters of positive and negative altitude difference.

5.trust your intuition

Listening to yourself and learning to build your self-confidence is essential. In fact, it’s simple: if you feel tired, slow down or take a break. If you’re thirsty, don’t wait and have a drink.

Walking alone will probably take you out of your comfort zone at first. But isn’t that what we’re looking for when we venture out into nature on our own? Isn’t it about disconnecting from our daily lives, and reconnecting with our inner selves? Hiking will really boost your self-confidence, and you’ll be proud to have accomplished a beautiful hike on your own!

6.notify a relative

As you’re leaving on your own, this last tip is really very important! It’s a crucial step in ensuring your safety and peace of mind. I advise you to choose someone you trust and share your itinerary with them.

If this person isn’t very comfortable with GPX tracks, keep it simple. Share the address of your starting and finishing points. And during the hike, take the time to send him your position and tell him everything’s fine. The same goes for when you’ve finished hiking: it’s reassuring for both parties.

Alternatively, some GPS or GPS watches also allow you to send a link at the start of the hike to the people of your choice, with live tracking of your position.

What’s more, these info points you share regularly can really come in handy in an emergency. They reduce the time it takes for emergency services to arrive, because they’ll know more easily where to find you.

Don’t think this will limit your adventure or your independence. On the contrary, it will allow you to enjoy the ride with much greater peace of mind.

My final word

Taking up hiking as a woman is a rewarding adventure. But it requires a minimum of preparation. Choosing the right equipment, planning your hikes, learning how to orient yourself, taking care of your body, and never leaving home without certain essentials. With a little practice, you’ll quickly acquire a taste for this outdoor activity.