Is it safe to hike alone?

[Sabth]

I wanna go hiking but I don't have anyone to go with me. Is it safe if I were to hike alone? Wouldn't there be people who will hike too during my hike? 

I wanna hike some local mountains. I watch they do it in YouTube and feel interested to do it too. 

And my neighbour just went to this extreme hiking right now and showed the picture. 

I wanna hike too.

 

Edited September 18, 2023 by Sabth

[LoneWonderer]

Go for a hike but if you're a newbie start small. Don't go balls to the wall on something difficult alone. You should be fine it's not even close to being considered a dangerous activity comparing to other stuff that is out there. I always carry basic following stuff:

1. Water 1.5 - 3l (I live in Spain which is hitting 40+ degrees in summer every day.)

2. Rain jacket (if you live in a cold enviroment bring extra socks, pants and sweater as well)

3. Fully charged mobile phone (emergencies duh, if you are going to be doing a longer full day 8+ hour hike make sure you also bring a power bank)

Been hiking/walking alone 15-30km daily for the past 7 years and I'm absolutely fine. In 7 years I had one scare where a storm came upon me but I survived jjj.

Edited September 18, 2023 by LoneWonderer

[Sabth]

1 minute ago, LoneWonderer said:

Go for a hike but if you're a newbie start small. Don't go balls to the wall on something difficult alone. You should be fine it's not even close to being considered a dangerous activity comparing to other stuff that is out there. I always carry basic following stuff:

1. Water 1.5 - 3l (I live in Spain which is hitting 40+ degrees in summer every day.)

2. Rain jacket (if you live in a cold enviroment bring extra socks, pants and sweater as well)

3. Fully charged mobile phone (emergencies duh, if you are going to be doing a longer full day 8+ hour hike make sure you also bring a power bank)

Been hiking/walking alone 15-30km daily for the past 7 years and I'm absolutely fine. In 7 years I had one scare where a storm came upon me but I survived jjj.

Can't wait to go for a hike. One I can do in this weekend while the other needs more planning. 

I want to hike Mount Santubong & Mt.Kinabalu. The other are more cold and this one, Mt.Santubong is like only a day hike. 

[LoneWonderer]

@Sabth go for it! ?

[Sabth]

Look at this ;

 

[Yimpa]

Funny you ask. I was just watching this clip earlier

 

[Yimpa]

40 minutes ago, LoneWonderer said:

3. Fully charged mobile phone (emergencies duh, if you are going to be doing a longer full day 8+ hour hike make sure you also bring a power bank)

Newer iPhones also have Emergency SOS via satellite. Android phones will likely copy this feature sometime in the future.

[Sabth]

I still think it's scary to hike alone nevertheless.

[Yimpa]

28 minutes ago, Sabth said:

I still think it's scary to hike alone nevertheless.

Maybe you can live stream your hikes.

[Sabth]

22 minutes ago, Yimpa said:

Maybe you can live stream your hikes.

I'd rather focus on those steep hikes. 

Though I'm gonna bring my camera with me.

Now they're just showing me the pictures of their hike. 

Edited September 18, 2023 by Sabth

[LastThursday]

Hiking is the best!

Although if you're just starting out, keep the route as flat as possible and distances small say less than 8 km. Build up to longer distances over time. Don't go to places with very changeable weather, fog, cold, snow. Always start your hikes in the early morning, the earlier the better, you want good daylight. Stick to well defined paths shown on  a map.

Also try to keep to places where you won't lose phone reception - you never know if you might need assistance. If you're following a map on your phone, then obviously you'll drain your battery - take precautions, either an extra battery/power pack and switch to airplane mode when not using it.

Enjoy! Hiking's fun.

 

[LoneWonderer]

@LastThursday top advice here mate ? I would also like to add that one must always know the day's weather conditions and plan accordingly this is VERY IMPORTANT.

1 hour ago, LastThursday said:

Hiking is the best!

Although if you're just starting out, keep the route as flat as possible and distances small say less than 8 km. Build up to longer distances over time. Don't go to places with very changeable weather, fog, cold, snow. Always start your hikes in the early morning, the earlier the better, you want good daylight. Stick to well defined paths shown on  a map.

Also try to keep to places where you won't lose phone reception - you never know if you might need assistance. If you're following a map on your phone, then obviously you'll drain your battery - take precautions, either an extra battery/power pack and switch to airplane mode when not using it.

Enjoy! Hiking's fun.

 

[something_else]

I'm an avid solo hiker, so I'd say that you absolutely should do it! 

I see you're a woman so I suppose it's slightly different in terms of the safety of being alone in the middle of nowhere, but I've ran into many solo female hikers when I've been out so I don't think you should be too worried about the risks of someone causing you any trouble, especially if you stick to busier routes.

If you are starting out, you should stick to easy and busy routes anyway. If you do this you will be perfectly safe.

Also, make sure you pack the right equipment. Check the weather forecast and bring extra layers if it will be cold, and a rain jacket if it's going to rain. If you live somewhere where there is potential for snow and ice, you need specialist equipment to hike in those conditions so you should avoid those routes until you have some more experience.

[LastThursday]

1 hour ago, LoneWonderer said:

know the day's weather conditions

The longer the walk the more important that is. Even an hour in the sun could give you bad sunburn. An hour in the rain and cold will drain your will to live or worse give you hypothermia if not appropriately dressed. If you get a downpour and everything turns to mud, your life will be hell if you don't have appropriate footwear. 

[Sabth]

Can I just wear a tracksuit? I won't go for the hardest. Only a 4km route. It will be rainforest. A 3-4hours hike (one way)

A lot of people told me not to go alone though.. idk. Wouldn't there be many people hiking too? 

[LastThursday]

I have no experience with rainforest, maybe others here do? So can't advise on best things to wear. But if it's hot and humid, then light, breathable clothing is best. On a flat 4km should take about 40-60 minutes. If it's taking 3-4 hours, then it sounds like it will be up and down hills and through dense wood. You'll get very tired! Be prepared. Take plenty of liquid.

[Sabth]

I was discouraged a lot. 

3 hours ago, LastThursday said:

I have no experience with rainforest, maybe others here do? So can't advise on best things to wear. But if it's hot and humid, then light, breathable clothing is best. On a flat 4km should take about 40-60 minutes. If it's taking 3-4 hours, then it sounds like it will be up and down hills and through dense wood. You'll get very tired! Be prepared. Take plenty of liquid.

That's a good advice. It does has a lot of steep altitude. 

I wish I can go just as easily as the person in the video above. 

Edited September 18, 2023 by Sabth

[Francis777]

start with a short, non intensive hike, and then slowly build yourself, it's unlikely that you will run into any serious problems if you've taken the proper precautions.

[LastThursday]

3 hours ago, Sabth said:

I was discouraged a lot. 

Don't give up! Find an easier route. Here's some inspiration:

 

[Danioover9000]

@Sabth

12 hours ago, Sabth said:

I wanna go hiking but I don't have anyone to go with me. Is it safe if I were to hike alone? Wouldn't there be people who will hike too during my hike? 

I wanna hike some local mountains. I watch they do it in YouTube and feel interested to do it too. 

And my neighbour just went to this extreme hiking right now and showed the picture. 

I wanna hike too.

 

   A few questions before I give more specific advice for you:

   Where do you want to go hiking? Are you hiking or mountaineering?

   Why do you want to go hiking?

   Do you plan on camping for a night or more?

   Can you give a list of supplies, equipment and so on to take with you?

   Do you have a gun? Gun permits and training?

   

   General advice:

   I strongly advice to hike with other people, especially if you're hiking in the USA's National Park areas like Smoky Mountain or other areas owned by them.

   Yes, there's a probability that there are others hikers, hunters, mountaineers and other outdoors types, but depends on if you're at a popular area and it's the seasonal busy times. Safe assumption is that it's low you'll bump into others, which means you'll mostly be alone. Since you'll be hiking, stick to the paved and maintained trails, depending on where you're going there'll be very rough terrain if you plan on going deep into the wilderness which I advice against. If you do, take with you a gun, a survival knife, and more importantly, a blow horn, the type used in sports. The loud sound will scare away most animals curious and investigating you, or stalking you and seeing if they can attack you.