If you’re a female and you’ve ever thought of hiking solo….you need to read this!
With countless documentaries, books, movies, etc. of horror stories of women in the wilderness, it’s easy to see why many females don’t attempt to hike solo. It can feel terrifying, and the world definitely tells you it is. But, as a female solo traveler and solo hiker who has gone on hundreds of hikes solo, I’m here to tell you there are ways to safely get over your fear of hiking solo!
And I’m going to share all my tips with you, but first, let’s talk about the benefits of hiking solo!
- Gain self-confidence
- Connect with nature
- Time to meditate/zone out
- Freedom
- Hike at your own pace
- Feeling of empowerment
- Go wherever you want
- Be more resourceful and problem-solve
- Process your thoughts and feelings more deeply
Repeat a Trail
Hike a trail you’ve already hiked with other people. You’ll be way more comfortable with the trail and expectations, i.e., difficulty, elevation gain, landmarks, etc.
Hike on a Popular Trail
A popular trail (especially on a weekend) will likely have other hikers on it, so you won’t totally be alone. This is a great way to ease into hiking alone, as it allows you to get comfortable hiking by yourself but takes away the fear of something happening without others nearby.
Pack 10 Essentials
Being overprepared for anything, such as an injury, weather conditions, getting lost, etc. will help you feel better about being on the trail solo. Check out this post to read about Top 10 Essentials to Pack for a Day Hike.
Download Everything Offline
This is one of the easiest things you can do to make yourself feel more secure.
Before your trip, download:
- Offline Google Maps
- Trail maps through apps like AllTrails, Gaia GPS, or Maps.me
- Screenshots of accommodation confirmations
- Transportation tickets and schedules
- Important addresses and directions
- Translation tools for the local language
Even if you think you’ll have service, don’t rely on it. I also recommend taking screenshots of trail routes and key information rather than depending entirely on apps loading correctly in real time.
Bring Backup Power
Phones drain surprisingly fast in cold weather, high elevations, or when constantly using GPS.
A portable charger is something I would never skip. If you’re doing multiple days without reliable electricity, consider bringing:
- A high-capacity power bank
- Extra charging cables
- A wall adapter if traveling internationally
Even if your phone is mostly being used for navigation and emergencies, battery anxiety is real once you lose service.
Tell Someone Your Plan
Tell someone where you’re going, what time you’re starting, and when they can expect to hear back from you. For additional safety, turn on a tracking APP like Life360 and connect with friends or family to share your location details.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
It blows my mind to see people out solo (running, hiking, or anywhere) with BOTH of their noise-canceling headphones popped in their ears. Please don’t do this. This takes away your awareness of your surroundings and is very dangerous. If possible, hike without headphones, but if you need to, only keep one in and turn off the noise-canceling feature. Besides headphones, be alert and aware of what’s going on around you with other hikers, wildlife, and just in general.
Start Smaller Than You Think You Need To
I think a lot of people assume their first solo hiking adventure needs to be some massive, ultra-remote experience.
It doesn’t.
You can absolutely build confidence gradually.
Start with:
- Popular hiking routes
- Day hikes before overnight hikes
- Trails with established infrastructure
- Areas where other hikers are common
- One-night trips before multi-day expeditions
There’s no prize for making your first off-grid experience harder than it needs to be.
Learn Basic Navigation Before You Go
Even on well-marked trails, you should have a basic understanding of your route before starting.
- Approximate hiking times
- Elevation gain
- Trail markers or symbols
- Water refill points
- Weather conditions
Consider a Satellite Communicator
For truly remote hikes, especially solo, some travelers choose to carry satellite communication devices like a Garmin inReach.
These devices can allow you to:
- Send check-in messages
- Share your GPS location
- Contact emergency services without a cell signal
I don’t think everyone needs one for every hike, especially on more established trails, but they can provide a lot of peace of mind for longer or more isolated trips.
Don’t push yourself beyond your limit
If you don’t feel comfortable at any point on the trail, turn around! It could be anything from another hiker, difficulty, exhaustion, anxiety, weather, etc. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone is encouraged but pushing yourself into something dangerous mentally or physically is not advised here.
I think one of the most empowering parts of solo hiking is realizing you can handle more than you initially thought.
Not because nothing ever goes wrong, but because you learn how to prepare, adapt, problem-solve, and trust yourself along the way.
You do not need to be fearless.
You just need to be thoughtful about preparation.
The reality is that thousands of people safely do off-grid hikes and hut-to-hut adventures every year. Most experiences aren’t dramatic survival stories; they’re quiet mornings in the mountains, conversations with other travelers, tired legs after long hiking days, and moments of realizing how capable you really are.
And honestly, sometimes disconnecting from constant notifications and being fully present in your surroundings ends up becoming the best part of the entire trip.
If you’re just getting started hiking solo, check out my posts Hiking Etiquette for Beginners and Tips for Hiking on a Budget!
