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Solo hikes - a bucket-list dream, or a no-no? 

Even if you have the most reliable hiking community, at some point you might find yourself having to go it alone. 

Maybe your companion had to cancel, or maybe they had to turn back halfway along the trail. And at that point you might be wondering - does it make sense to go on my own? Is it safe? Will it be worth it?

While I adore hiking with my partner, most of the important lessons I’ve learned about the outdoors and about my body have come from solo hikes. I try to hit the trail alone at least once a fortnight, both for the solitude and to push myself to go further and become stronger. And luckily, most hiking trails in USA are well-maintained and well-trodden, so with a little preparation, you’re bound to have a good time. Here are some tips to keep in mind if you’re looking to hike on your own.

• Study the trail before you go - Take a good look at the map and trail conditions. What’s the elevation gain like? Will there be any loose rock/sand? How high is the highest point? Will there be bugs or poison oak/ivy? What parts will be exposed? That way, you can be prepared for what’s to come. I recommend looking not just at the trail’s official website, but also at recent reviews from other hikers who were there.

• Have at least two trail maps ready - You will almost certainly not have phone signal at some point, so download a trail map for offline use in advance. I’ve found that AllTrails can sometimes consume quite a bit of battery, so have Apple Maps or Google Maps ready as an option. (And of course, have enough charge on your phone so you can run those apps throughout your hike!)

• Carry all the supplies you need - You’ll need to take care of yourself when hiking alone, so carry enough water and snacks to keep you going. I also like carrying a few band-aids and some ointment in case I get a cut or scrape along the way.

• Have a fool proof way there and back - If you’re not driving your car to the trailhead, make sure that you have enough signal to Uber back or that you can walk to the nearest public transit hub. If you can’t get an Uber, have someone whom you can call to help you out with a ride.

• Stay alert on the trail - 99.9% of the time, you’ll complete your hike without incident. But it’s always a good idea to stay fully alert while hiking alone. Avoid plugging your earphones in, and always watch your step.

• Know what time sunset is - I’m all for taking your time on a trail and not speeding up unnecessarily. But when you’re by yourself, you always want to know when it’s going to get dark. Similarly, when you’re starting out with solo hikes, you might want to begin after sunrise.

• Turn back if you need to - I truly cannot emphasize this enough. If you’re feeling sick, or if you’ve run out of water, or if you simply don’t feel like you can go on, turn back whenever you want to. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone - your health and peace of mind comes first! You can always come back another time.

• Go at your pace - When you’re hiking by yourself, there’s no one else you have to keep with or slow down for, so do your thing! Stop as you like, take photos, have snack breaks atop pretty rocks, explore wooded sections, break into a dance - anything you please! By the time you’re back at the trailhead, you’ll already be looking forward to your next solo hike.

Deya Bhattacharya is a writer and former business development manager who recently moved to the Bay Area from India. 

She started hiking in May 2022 and hasn’t stopped ever since. 

Check out her blog here, or follow her on Instagram @thebougiehiker.