Hiking Etiquette Tips

Image source

When you’re out in nature hiking the trails, you can get so immersed in the beauty of your surroundings, the wind in our hair and the ground beneath your feet, that it can be all too easy to forget your manners. However, trail etiquette is old and important – it keeps everyone safe and ensures that the trails are well-maintained for us all to enjoy.

If you need to brush up on your hiking etiquette, check out these useful tips for hikers:

Priority

The first thing you should bear in mind when hiking is that there is a ladder of hierarchy on the trails. Horses should always take priority, followed by hikers, with cyclists coming in third. Now that you know this, you can always be sure to make way for the relevant parties, ensure the trails are safe and pleasant and avoid any nasty confrontations.

Additionally, you should remember that, if you are being passed by horses, you will need to move off the trail a little on the downhill side, if it is possible to do so. This will prevent the animals from getting startled by taking you out of their immediate path and making you look smaller.

Uphill Traffic

When you’re hiking, you should always give way to uphill traffic. Going uphill is harder work than going downhill, and when you’ve built up some steam, and you’re going along at a pleasant pace, the last thing you want is to have to change course, lose momentum and start again. So, put yourself in the place of others and always yield to the uphill travelers.

Stay Right

Hikers should always try to stay on the right side of the trail, and if they wish to pass someone ahead of them, they should always do so on the left, after warning the person in front what they are about to do. Doing this helps to stop accidents and annoyances on the trail.

Leave No Trace

So, you’ve gone up the trail with a mountain of supplies including food, water, string and your best backpacking tent to see you through your trip.  You’ve built a fire, had a feast and enjoyed your time in the woods. Now it’s time to leave, what do you do? If you’re an inconsiderate person, you’ll leave your food wrappers on the ground along with the ashes of your extinguished fire and leave. Who wants to carry more than they have to on the trails right?

On the other hand, you’re a very considerate person, you will pick up and repack everything you brought with you, including wrappers, apple cores, and banana peels and take them home with you to be disposed of safely, so that the next hikers who come along won’t have to look at your trash.

Using Tech

There is nothing wrong with listening to your portable radio or playing your iPod when you’re out on the tail, but try not to do it in the vicinity of other people who might prefer to listen to the birds sing rather than Beyoncé. Be aware of your surroundings and ask others if they mind before you do anything that could spoil their trip.

If you bear all of the above in mind, you’ll have a great hiking trip and so will everyone else on the trails.

Must-Have For An Overnight Hiking Adventure Trip

There are plenty of avid travelers who prefer to hike than roam the urban jungle. The thrill that they get when they explore the nature around them and discover beautiful vistas is second to none! If you are one of those type of travelers who love to seek joy by being one with nature then you need to equip yourself with the proper information, outerwear, and the must-have gizmos and tools for your hiking adventure.

Waterproof camera without housing

A hiking adventure will not be complete without your handy camera to capture the beautiful vista around you for posterity sake. The waterproof camera is like any camera that has the point and shoot capability but with better protection from the elements. Since you are going to be surrounded by nature, the likelihood of having moisture around is high. You do need to carry all those casing for your expensive DLSR camera and fear that you may end up crashing your precious high-end camera. Carry a waterproof camera instead as this camera is ruggedly built for outdoor activities.

Travel documents

If you planning to join a group of hikers in another country, then it is advisable to carry your travel documents in a waterproof ziplock bag and tucked securely inside your bag.

Medical and first aid kit

(Photo credit: edisaster.com)

This is one of the primary things any hikers should carry whether it is a day-long hike or a long one. You will never know when you will need medication or first aid assistance. So, a handy first aid kit with enough supply for a group of people can help when an emergency arises.

Insect repellant

Nature is a good breeding ground of insects and it is wise to carry insect repellant in creams.

Informative maps, brochures, flyers

It is always wise to equip yourself with the proper knowledge of the place you are going to, the terrain, and weather conditions around the area.

Smart phones with GPS tracking app

(Photo from unsplash.com)

There are plenty of smart phones these days that can be installed with tracking apps. Bring your smart phone with GPS tracking app to help you navigate in the wilderness.

Clothing and footwear

Invest on a high-quality hiking boots that can weather any terrain regardless of season. If you are planning to hike during the colder season then get a nice snowshoes that can handle extreme weather conditions.

You need to bring warm clothing as it can get very cold in the mountains or forests. Weather may change all of a sudden so pack rain gears as well to keep you dry and warm.

Wear long socks too to deflect any cold draft and stave off any ticks!

Hiking/Trekking poles

These are sturdy poles that hikers and trekkers use when traversing the various terrains of their hikes.  They have plenty of uses; thus, hikers and trekkers love to carry and use them. They provide balance during hikes on uneven terrains. They are also used to swipe off nature's nuisances like spiderwebs, vines, and even thorny bushes. Poles also aid in putting rhythm on hikers' steps, adding speed and agility to their movement.  They also help reduce the pressure and tension on your feet and legs.

Headlamp or flashlight

(Photo credit: muchbuy.com)

It is good to carry headlamp and flashlight that are either solar powered, rechargeable, and batter operated. With hikes, you would usually start very early in the day and the only source of illumination you have is from either your headlamp or flashlight.

Sturdy and lightweight sleeping bags, tents or emergency blanket

(Photo taken from yahoo images)

Since you will be spending an overnight in this hike, take into consideration packing a good sleeping bag. Other hikers prefer to bring an emergency blanket instead of the whole tent kit because it is lightweight and has plenty of uses aside from providing warmth during cold temperatures and acting as mini shelter too by stringing and tying it on branches.

Waterproof backpack

Every hiker needs a good quality backpack that can withstand the weight of the load. A good backpack will also be durable enough to last a long hike and also, it should be waterproof to brave the elements.

Journal and pen

For the avid nature lover, a pen and paper is a must for every hike. The beauty of the surrounding is enough to trigger an inspiration worthy of mention in your journal, travelogue, or blog. Who knows, the notes you'll make along the way can one day become a novel to a great film? Wishful thinking!

Swiss-army knife, duct tape and some safety pins

(Photo credit: outdoorgearlab.com)

You'll never know when you might need all these but a torn garment or bedding or even a tent can easily be repaired with a nice safety pin or a duct tape.

Solar-powered battery charger with adaptors

(Photo credit: odditymall.com)

Since you are going to carry a smart phone and some source of illumination that needs to be recharged, a handy solar-powered battery charger with the appropriate adaptors for various connections for gadgets will come in very handy.

Food and hydration

(Photo credit: rei.com)

Pack lightly with energy bars, light sandwiches, easy-open canned goods that are ready to eat and few chips. You need to have a portable water purifier to help you purify the water from natural resources should you run out of bottled water. You can also carry some chlorine tablets if you don't have any portable water purifier.

Fire starter kit

(Photo credit: survivalcampingstore.com)

This is necessary when it gets very cold and you need to warm yourself up. Use a fire steel which is like a flint that makes plenty of spark. Make sure that you put off the fire when you are done to prevent wildlife fire.

Whistle

(Photo credit: lazada.com.my)

This is one the must-haves of any adventurer out there. Not that it is only small but it packs a punch in the survival gauge. It can help you when you get lost especially in the wilderness. Whistles are louder than the human voice and the sound can go much further than shouting. Also, shouting can wear you off. A good whistle will be one that is of high quality material and louder than standard whistles.


Once you have gathered everything you need, make sure you are well informed about hiking.  Hiking is a strenuous activity and it requires physical strength and stamina. So be sure to keep yourself fit for the hike.  Have fun! Be safe and take a lot of pictures!