There's a particular kind of quiet you only find when you're hiking alone. No conversation to maintain, no pace to match, no compromise on which fork in the trail to take. Just you, the terrain, and whatever's on your mind. Solo hiking is one of the most rewarding outdoor experiences available to anyone with a pair of boots and a willingness to walk. It's also an activity that demands genuine preparation, because when you're alone on a trail, you are your own first responder.
This guide covers everything a solo hiker needs to know in 2026 — from choosing the right trail and packing the right gear, to using modern technology as a safety net and handling emergencies when help may be hours away. Whether you're planning your first solo day hike or your fiftieth backcountry overnight, this is the reference you'll want to bookmark.
Why Solo Hiking Is Worth It (And Worth Preparing For)
According to the National Park Service, over 300 million recreational visits were made to national parks in 2023, and a growing share of those visitors are heading out alone. The rise of solo hiking tracks with broader cultural trends toward solo travel, mindfulness practices, and what researchers at the University of Virginia have called "the restorative benefits of solitary nature experiences."
But solo hiking does carry unique risks. When you twist an ankle on a group hike, someone can go for help. When you twist an ankle alone, you need a plan. The goal of this guide isn't to discourage solo hiking — it's to make sure you're prepared enough to enjoy it fully.
Choosing the Right Trail
Trail selection is the single most important safety decision you'll make before you leave the trailhead. A well-chosen trail matches your fitness level, experience, and the conditions of the day.
For beginners going solo
- Start with well-trafficked trails — popular trails mean other hikers are nearby if you need assistance
- Choose loop trails over out-and-backs — they're more interesting and reduce the temptation to push too far before turning around
- Stick to trails with reliable cell service until you're comfortable with your navigation skills
- Check recent trail reports on AllTrails, the NPS website, or local ranger stations for current conditions
- Know your turnaround time — plan to be back at the trailhead at least two hours before sunset
For experienced solo hikers
- Research water sources on longer routes — carry a filter and know where refill points are
- Assess technical difficulty honestly — scrambles and exposed ridgelines that feel manageable with a partner become riskier alone
- Check permit requirements — many wilderness areas now require day-use permits, especially in peak season
- Consider shoulder seasons — fewer crowds, but be prepared for more variable weather and potentially unmaintained trails
The Solo Hiker's Gear Checklist
REI's "Ten Essentials" system has been the backbone of hiking gear lists for decades, and it remains the gold standard. Here's the full list adapted for solo hikers in 2026, with a few modern additions:
The Ten Essentials (Updated)
- Navigation — physical map, compass, and a GPS device or phone with downloaded offline maps (Gaia GPS, AllTrails, or CalTopo)
- Headlamp — with extra batteries. Even on a day hike, getting caught after dark is a real possibility
- Sun protection — sunscreen (SPF 50+), sunglasses, and a hat. UV exposure is significantly higher at elevation
- First aid kit — pre-made kits from Adventure Medical Kits are a good starting point; add blister treatment, an elastic bandage, and any personal medications
- Knife or multi-tool — useful for gear repair, food prep, and emergency situations
- Fire-starting supplies — waterproof matches or a lighter, plus tinder (cotton balls with petroleum jelly work well)
- Emergency shelter — a lightweight bivy sack or emergency space blanket. If you're forced to spend an unexpected night out, this could save your life
- Extra food — pack at least one extra meal beyond what you plan to eat. Calorie-dense bars, nuts, and jerky travel well
- Extra water — carry at least one liter more than you think you'll need, plus a filtration method for longer hikes
- Extra clothing — a rain layer, insulating layer, and dry socks. Weather changes fast in the mountains
Solo-specific additions
- Satellite communicator — a Garmin inReach, ZOLEO, or Apple iPhone with satellite SOS. This is non-negotiable for backcountry solo hiking
- Whistle — attached to your pack strap where you can reach it without removing your pack
- Trekking poles — they reduce knee strain and dramatically improve stability on uneven terrain, reducing your fall risk
- Portable battery pack — keep your phone and GPS device charged throughout the hike
Navigation: Your Most Critical Skill
GPS technology has made backcountry navigation dramatically more accessible, but it has also created a dangerous overreliance on devices that can fail. The National Park Service consistently identifies getting lost as one of the top reasons for search and rescue operations.
Every solo hiker should be able to:
- Read a topographic map — understand contour lines, scale, and how to identify your position using terrain features
- Use a compass — not just to find north, but to take and follow bearings
- Navigate with a GPS app in airplane mode — download maps before you leave home and know how to use them offline
- Recognize when you're off-trail — if the terrain doesn't match what you expect, stop, check your position, and backtrack if necessary. Continuing forward when unsure is the number one way people get seriously lost
Consider taking a navigation course through REI, your local outdoor club, or a wilderness skills school. A few hours of instruction can prevent days of being lost.
Wildlife Safety
Wildlife encounters are part of what makes hiking special, but solo hikers need to be particularly aware since there's no group presence to deter animals.
Bears
- Make noise on the trail — talk, sing, or clap, especially near streams, dense brush, and blind corners
- Carry bear spray in bear country and know how to deploy it (practice with an inert canister at home)
- Store food in bear canisters or use established bear hangs in camp
- If you encounter a black bear, make yourself large and make noise. If you encounter a grizzly, the NPS recommends speaking calmly, backing away slowly, and playing dead only if physically attacked
Mountain lions
- Face the animal and maintain eye contact
- Make yourself appear as large as possible
- Do not run — this can trigger a chase response
- If attacked, fight back aggressively
Snakes
- Watch where you step and where you place your hands, especially on rocky terrain
- Give any snake a wide berth — most bites occur when people try to handle or get close to a snake
- If bitten, keep the affected limb below heart level, stay calm, and get to medical care. Do not apply a tourniquet or try to suck out venom
Ticks and mosquitoes
- Treat clothing with permethrin before the season starts
- Use DEET or picaridin-based repellent on exposed skin
- Check for ticks thoroughly after every hike, especially behind ears, along the hairline, and in skin folds
Weather Awareness
Weather is the most underestimated risk factor in solo hiking. According to the National Weather Service, lightning, flash floods, and hypothermia from unexpected cold and rain account for hundreds of outdoor fatalities each year in the United States.
- Check the forecast the night before AND the morning of — mountain weather can change significantly in 12 hours
- Learn to read clouds — towering cumulonimbus clouds building in the afternoon are a strong signal to descend from exposed ridges and peaks
- Start early — in most mountain environments, storms are more likely in the afternoon. Aim to be off exposed terrain by early afternoon
- Know the signs of hypothermia — shivering, confusion, slurred speech, and clumsiness. In a solo setting, early recognition is crucial because there's no one else to notice the signs
- Turn back without guilt — the mountain will be there next weekend. The most experienced hikers are the ones most willing to abandon a plan when conditions change
Your Communication Plan
Having the right technology matters, but having a communication plan matters more. The best satellite communicator in the world is useless if no one knows where you intended to go or when you should be back.
Before every solo hike
- File a trip plan with someone you trust — include the trailhead name, your intended route, expected return time, and what to do if you're not back on time
- Set a check-in schedule — agree on specific times when you'll send a message or check in, and define what a missed check-in means (e.g., "If you don't hear from me by 6pm, call the ranger station")
- Leave a physical note in your car at the trailhead with your name, route plan, and return time. Search and rescue teams look for these
- Register at the trailhead if a trail register is available
Technology that helps
- Satellite communicators (Garmin inReach Mini 2, ZOLEO, SPOT) — two-way messaging and SOS capability where cell service doesn't exist. Subscription plans range from $12-$65/month
- Apple iPhone satellite SOS — available on iPhone 14 and later, this connects you to emergency services via satellite when you have no cell service
- Check-in apps — platforms like StillSafe's Adventure Mode let you set a timed check-in before you hit the trail. If you don't check back in by your expected return time, your emergency contacts are automatically notified via text, email, and voice calls. It's a digital version of the trip plan system, automated and reliable
- Offline maps — download your route on Gaia GPS, AllTrails, or CalTopo before leaving cell range
What to Do in an Emergency
Despite the best preparation, emergencies happen. A solo hiker's emergency response plan needs to account for the fact that you may need to self-rescue or wait for help with limited resources.
If you're injured and can move
- Stop. Assess the injury. Treat what you can with your first aid kit
- Determine if you can safely self-evacuate to the trailhead or a location with cell service
- Move slowly and carefully — a second injury in a remote area could turn a difficult situation into a life-threatening one
- Use your satellite communicator to alert someone if the injury is significant
If you're injured and cannot move
- Activate SOS on your satellite communicator or phone if you have satellite capability
- Make yourself visible — use bright clothing, a signal mirror, or your emergency whistle (three blasts is the universal distress signal)
- Conserve energy and stay warm — get into your emergency bivy, put on extra layers, and eat your extra food
- Stay where you are — rescuers will look along the trail you filed in your trip plan. Moving off-trail when injured and lost only makes rescue harder
If you're lost
- Stop walking immediately — continuing to move when disoriented almost always makes things worse
- Try to identify your last known position on the map
- If you can safely backtrack to a known point, do so
- If you cannot, stay put, make yourself visible, and use your communication devices
Leave No Trace: Safety for the Trail Itself
Solo hikers have a special relationship with the trail. With no one watching, the choice to follow Leave No Trace principles is entirely your own. The seven principles are worth reviewing before every season:
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly (pack out everything you pack in)
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
The trails we enjoy today exist because the hikers before us took care of them. Solo hiking is a privilege that thrives on mutual stewardship.
Building Your Solo Hiking Safety System
Putting all of this together, here's a practical system you can follow for every solo hike:
The night before
- Check the weather forecast
- Pack your gear using the essentials checklist above
- File your trip plan with your emergency contact
- Download offline maps for your route
- Charge all devices and battery packs
- Set up a timed check-in with your emergency contact or through a check-in platform
At the trailhead
- Leave a note on your dashboard with your name, route, and expected return
- Sign the trail register if one exists
- Confirm your check-in timer is active
- Do a quick gear check
On the trail
- Stay on marked trails
- Monitor weather conditions continuously
- Check your position on the map regularly
- Eat and drink consistently — don't wait until you're hungry or thirsty
- Honor your turnaround time
After the hike
- Check in with your emergency contact (or complete your timed check-in)
- Do a tick check
- Note any trail conditions that changed from what was reported, and share them on trail apps for other hikers
Solo hiking doesn't have to be reckless to be adventurous. The most experienced solo hikers in the world are also the most prepared. Preparation isn't the opposite of spontaneity — it's what makes real freedom on the trail possible.
Start with trails you know. Build your skills season by season. Invest in a satellite communicator. Set up a reliable check-in system. And then go enjoy that particular kind of quiet that only exists when it's just you and the trail.
Ready to build your hiking safety system? Create a free StillSafe account and set up Adventure Mode for your next solo hike. Your emergency contacts get notified only if you miss your check-in — so you stay safe without sacrificing the solitude.