Hiking for Beginners: The Complete Guide for New Hikers
Hiking is one of the best ways to enjoy the Outdoors all while taking care of both your physical and mental health. What I like the most about hiking is how, unlike many outdoorsy sports, there is no barrier to entry in a way that ANYONE can start regardless of how old they are, how fit they are, and how much experience they have.
Although it’s a relatively easy activity to get into, there are many rules and principles that are worth knowing about to ensure that you are recreating responsibly and to ensure your safety and the safety of others on the trail.
When I started hiking in 2016, there were many terms and hiking etiquette that I was not aware of but the good thing is, the more you hike, the more you learn, and the better you get.
In this detailed guide, I will share with you things that you need to know to get started, safety tips, best gear, etiquette on the trail, and things I wish I knew when I started hiking.
Hiking for Beginners: Getting Started
Choose a Hike
The first place to start is choosing a hiking trail. Your next adventure doesn’t have to be miles away, it can be right around the corner and that’s the best place to start. Here are a few ways to choose a hiking trail:
Ask people from your circles who are into hiking to suggest trails in your area.
Search for “Beginner Trails near [Name of your area]” there are many websites with great hiking resources and forums you can join to ask questions.
Consult Hiking Apps to get trail recommendations in your area. AllTrails is a good mobile application for beginners. You can see trails based on your current location and choose criteria for your hike such as distance, level of difficulty, elevation gain, and more. This is by far my favorite way to find new trails, understand the trail profile, and read reviews from other hikers. Below is my full video review of AllTrails for both the free and pro versions.
Consult Hiking groups in your area. There are a lot of hiking groups on platforms like Facebook or Meetup that bring hikers together. Many of these groups provide a wealth of knowledge and an opportunity to connect with other hikers.
Contact a local hiking organization. State parks and city parks have rangers on duty who can be very helpful to speak with and ask for suggestions. you can also call or send an email.
Many regional parks have guided hikes with a ranger. This can be a great way to get started too.
What to Look for When Choosing a Trail?
Choose a hiking trail that aligns with your fitness level. You don’t have to be in the best shape of your life to start hiking as there are trails with all levels of difficulty. As a beginner, it’s a good idea to stick to easy trails until you become more comfortable and more confident.
What’s the distance that you would like to cover? and how much time do you have in hand? most hikers average 2 miles an hour but you might be slower or faster depending on the terrain, the weight of your backpack, and the elevation gain.
The Elevation gain is one of the main factors determining a hike's difficulty. Walking on inclined terrain is much more demanding than on the flat ground. A trail that gains 1,000 feet in one mile is considered steep.
What’s the route’s type?
Out & back: An out and back trail is a trail that starts and finishes at the same point. The same way you hike in, is the same way you hike out.
Loop: A loop trail starts and finishes at the same point but the way in is not the same as the way out.
Point to point: A point-to-point trail starts at one point and finishes at a different point. This type of trail requires more planning as you will need transportation from one point to another. This is not a good option for beginners.
Find People to Hike With
Hiking alone can be very rewarding but as a beginner, it’s better to hike with other people until you gain more experience and more confidence. This is mostly true for long and strenuous hikes. But how do you find people to hike with?
If you have friends who are already into hiking, ask if you can join them on a hike (Make sure that the hike is the right one for you).
Join free guided hikes in your area: As I mentioned earlier, many regional parks offer guided hikes that you can join usually for free. They are guided by a ranger who is knowledgeable about the area. This is your opportunity to ask questions and make new friends.
Facebook hiking groups: There are tons of hiking groups on Facebook. You can search for
“ Hiking group in [Name of your area]” When you join a Facebook group, read the group rules, introduce yourself and ask if there are any group hikes for beginners that you can join. Many hikers will be willing to help and mentor. Use common sense and keep in mind that while some of these groups are very helpful. They have a lot of people that are still strangers. Never share your location while hiking or when/where you plan on hiking (unless with a loved one), especially if hiking alone.
Meetup.com also has a lot of hiking groups that you can find using your zip code.
If you are in the USA, REI is an American retail and outdoor recreation services corporation. They are mostly known for their outdoor gear but some of the services they provide are outdoor classes and events including guided hikes. head to REI.com and use your zip code to find guided hikes near you.
If you choose to hike alone, start with easy trails with decent foot traffic, shorter distance, and a reasonable elevation gain. Be prepared and let a loved one knows where you’re going and how long you plan to be out for.
Hiking Gear
What I like about hiking is that you don’t need all the fancy gear to get started. You can start with what you already have. In fact, it’s not a good idea to invest in expensive or sophisticated gear until you know what you’re up to and if you really enjoy hiking, to begin with.
What you already have is enough as long as you carry the 10 Essentials.
The 10 Essentials is a list of necessary items that can help you stay safe in case of unexpected events on the trail:
Navigation
Sun protection
Insulation
Illumination
Fire
Nutrition
Hydration
Shelter
First aid
Repair kit & tools
Learn more about the 10 Essentials for Hiking & Backpacking here.
Hiking gear can be expensive but the good thing is once you have the necessary gear, you’ll mostly end up using it for years to come. Before you jump straight into buying new gear, consider the following:
Borrowing gear from friends to test out (Ex: backpacks) This will give you an idea about what you like and what you are comfortable in.
Local outfitters including REI provide outdoor rentals. This is a cheaper way to get started and test out a few items.
Consider used gear if you are on a budget.
There are so many gadgets, tools, and clothing that can make your time on the trail a lot more pleasant. However, there are three things that I think are worth the investment for day hikes:
Footwear
Hiking backpack
Hydration system
Footwear
It’s a no-brainer that a comfortable pair of hiking shoes is the first thing to think about as you get into hiking. If you are walking for hours, you want to make sure your feet are comfortable. There is a variety of footwear brands and styles to choose from. While it’s a personal choice, here are a few things to think about:
Do you prefer a supportive over-the-ankle boot or a low-profile lightweight trail runner? You can use the latter not only for hiking but for trail running if you are into running.
Do you intend to use your shoes on gentle terrain or rugged routes with rocks and roots?
Do you need waterproof hiking footwear? Will you be crossing streams? Do you live in a rainy region like the Pacific Northwest? In this case, you might find waterproof shoes to be better.
I tried different hiking shoes and I finally landed on my absolute favorite:
The Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid GTX Hiking Boots - Women's It’s hands down the most comfortable and reliable pair of hiking boots I have ever owned.
This is a similar pair for men. Another favorite pair of Hiking boots that my husband loves so much is The Oboz Sawtooth II Mid B-Dry Hiking Boot - Men's.
Hiking Backpack
Hiking backpacks come in different sizes and shapes. For a day hike, a backpack of 15-20 liters is enough to pack the 10 Essentials of hiking.
When I am choosing a backpack, here is what’s important for me:
A soft back frame that adapts to the shape of my back. It’s a personal choice but I find rigid frames not comfortable on long day hikes.
A compartment to insert a water bladder (more on that in the next paragraph)
Enough pockets for snacks and tools.
Built-in tools like a rain cover, a safety whistle, a sturdy zipper…
I have two favorite hiking day packs.
Osprey Tempest 20 Pack - Women's: This is a perfect pack for hiking with a capacity of 20L.
REI Co-op Trail 40 Pack - Women's: This pack is on the larger side with a 40 L capacity. I use this pack for day hikes that are lengthy and may require more layers, jackets, food, and water. This is the pack I carried on my day hikes up Mount Kilimanjaro.
The men’s version of these two backpacks are the following:
Hydration System
Packing enough water is essential for every hike, especially if there is no water source on the trail.
A water bottle is good enough to get the job done but over time, I found that a water bottle is not ideal when you are walking for too long. Having to stop, grab the bottle, open the bottle, drink, close it and put it back. It’s just not perfect.
I then started using a hydration bladder or a water reservoir. Specifically the Osprey 3 Litter hydration pack with a connected tube that you can use directly to hydrate.
Below is my video review of this hydration pack.
If you are curious about my hiking gear, what worked well for me over the past few years and what I carry on day hikes check this kit.
Safety Tips for Every Hike
Every hike requires a different level of preparation and readiness but the following tips are applicable for pretty much every hike, no matter where you are in the world and no matter how easy or difficult your hike is.
Let Someone Know Where You Are Going
Share information about your hike with a loved one. Let them know where you are headed, what route you intend to take, and when you plan to check back with them. This is especially important when hiking alone.
If you are hiking solo, consider packing a satellite communicator for emergencies like the Garmin InReach Mini.
Check The Weather Forecast
Get in the habit of checking the weather forecast before you head out. This way you know what tp expect when you are out and what to pack.
If you are hiking in the mountains at higher elevations, make sure to check the weather on the mountain itself as the forecast can look different from the trailhead or the base of the mountain. I usually consult Mountain Weather Forecast.
Practice Leave No Trace
Leave No Trace is a set of 7 principles created to promote conservation in the outdoors. Following the Principles of Leave No Trace is important for the sake of your safety and the safety of the environment.
Be Wildlife Aware
When you are adventuring out make sure to research the area where you are hiking and what wildlife is present in the area.
If you are hiking in bear country for example, then you would want to make sure you are:
Making enough noise on the trail.
Carrying a bear spray and a bear bell.
Understanding what to do should you encounter a bear.
Knowing the wildlife that’s predominant in the area where you are hiking is important to make the right decision and stay safe.
