Hiking for Beginners: 4 Tips for Getting Started

​Hiking is a great way to spend time outdoors! It’s great for your physical and mental health as well. It might seem intimidating at first, but getting started is easier than it seems. This post lists some tips to help you get started hiking as a complete beginner!

1. Gear up

You don’t need to go out and buy all the best equipment when you’re just getting started hiking. The most important piece of gear you’ll need is a good pair of running or hiking shoes.

That said, it’s good to be prepared. Even for short hikes, you should bring a small backpack with water, snacks, and a (well-charged) phone. As you go on longer hikes, you will need more gear for safety, but for shorter hikes, you should be able to find just about everything you need lying around your house.

I have put together a day hike packing list to get you started. If you are hiking in colder weather, you can also check out my guide to layering for cold-weather hikes.

2. Start local

Hikes don’t have to be crazy long or in far-off destinations! Get started by exploring the nature around where you live. This is a great way to explore and in touch with your local nature and community!

There are lots of ways to find local trails. One of my favorites is the app AllTrails. You can look at distance, elevations, difficulty, reviews, photos, and more. The paid version also allows you to track your location, which is a useful safety feature.

Remember to pay attention to the distance of the hikes you’re planning. Start small at first, and then work your way up to longer distances gradually over time. In most places, there are plenty of shorter hikes with amazing views, so don’t feel like you need to hike for hours to be rewarded with the best scenery.

3. Respect the outdoors 

It is important to remember that you are a guest in the outdoors and to treat the places you visit with respect. This means doing your best to make sure that both people and wildlife can enjoy outdoor spaces for years to come. Try to tread lightly, and if you can, leave the areas where you go hiking better than you found them.

Always keep in mind the seven Leave No Trace principles:

1. Plan ahead and prepare
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces
3. Dispose of waste properly
4. Leave what you find
5. Minimize campfire impacts
6. Respect wildlife 
7. Be considerate of other visitors

Additional reminders:

• Use designated parking spaces, and don’t block nearby roads or neighborhoods.
• Know your limits. Especially when hiking alone, be sure to choose short, well-marked, populated trails that match your physical fitness and experience. 
• Use social media tagging respectfully. It’s great to take photos, but be mindful that in some places, geotagging on social media has led to trail overuse and negative environmental impacts. You may want to remind your followers of the Leave No Trace principles as well.

And finally…

4. Have fun!

Hiking is a really amazing way to connect with nature. The more you learn about and spend time in the outdoors, the more comfortable you’ll feel, so don’t forget to relax and have fun while you’re out there!

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I hope these tips help you get started on your hiking journey! Hiking is a wonderful hobby that has given me so much enjoyment and peace of mind, and I hope it does the same for you.