Great news: hiking IS for beginners! Have you often dreamed of serene trails, enjoying nature, and learning about the great outdoors? Hiking doesn’t require expensive gear, elite fitness, or outdoor expertise. Some of my best hikes have started with nothing more than a comfortable pair of shoes and a little curiosity.
If you have ever thought:
“I don’t have the right gear“
“What if I get lost?”
“I’m too old”
“I’m not in shape”
This post is for you.
Hiking: the Know Nothing Approach
This is a beginner hiking guide for real people: different ages, body types, abilities, and comfort levels. You may know nothing about the outdoors, but as you gain experience, your confidence will grow.
The main thing in any adventure is to start. Buying a lot of expensive gear and overplanning adds unnecessary stress. Don’t worry about everything being perfect your first time out, trust me, it probably won’t be! Some of my best experiences have been when the unexpected happened.
If the most you can manage at first is walking to the mailbox or around the block, don’t be discouraged; go for it. Maybe you live in an apartment, crowded urban area, or don’t have any idea where to begin. Are there any city parks nearby? Are you allowed to take a walk on your lunch break? Is there a safe neighborhood where you could park and walk along the sidewalks?
Try getting out a few times a week, and gradually increase your distance. If you are a complete beginner, hiking five miles on a rough trail is only going to be discouraging and lessen the chances of wanting to try again.
What Beginner Hiking Actually Means
Once you can cover a little more distance, you are ready to try an actual trail.
A beginner hike is:
- Short (1-3 miles)
- Clearly marked
- Low elevation gain
- Close to help or parking
- Easy to turn back any time
Plan for 30-60 minutes total. Take breaks whenever you want, and walk at your natural pace.
Minilmalist Hiking for Beginners
What is the absolute minimum gear you need?
- Comfortable shoes
- Water
- Weather appropriate clothing
- Fully charged cell phone
That’s it, nothing fancy. In future posts, you will find more information on advanced gear. But for now, the most important thing is to begin your outdoor journey.
Safety Note: This list is for short, simple hikes. Once you advance to longer, more difficult trails, you will need some essential gear. The National Park Service (NPS) has information on hiking gear for beginners.
If possible, bring a cell phone and stick to areas with decent reception when you are new to the outdoors. I still bring mine on every hike. You never know when something might happen, even a short distance from the parking lot. I’ve actually tripped and fallen a few times over the years. Thankfully, nothing was hurt except my pride. But accidents can happen to anyone.
You also need a phone to take some awesome pictures. It’s a great way to relive the adventure.
How Do I Find Beginner Hiking Trails?
The first step is to decide where to hike. Here are some great choices that are often overlooked:
- County Parks
- Nature Preserves
- Land Trusts
- City Parks
County Parks
Try searching online for parks in your county. You may be surprised at the scenery you find. Many have miles of lovely hiking trails, with a variety of surfaces, from paved to gravel, crushed limestone, and dirt. This makes it easier to choose for those who need more accessibility. Now that I’m getting older, I prefer dirt, as it is softer and easier on the bones! You probably already guessed that by the title of this site.
In my Indiana county, there are four gorgeous parks. I had no idea most of them even existed until I did a little research. Many of these sites have no admission fee, and they often include nature centers you can tour that feature displays of local flora and fauna.
Nature Preserves
Nature preserves are also a great alternative. You can find them in almost every state. Try searching for “nature preserves near me”. The Nature Conservancy has hundreds of sites nationwide. You can find them here:
Land Trusts
Land Trusts are usually established when an individual or family donates land for preservation, nature study, and future generations to enjoy. You can easily find them through an online search all over the United States. These unique places are often seldom visited, but offer a lovely way to experience nature.
Acres Land Trust has properties in Northern Indiana, Southern Michigan, and Northwest Ohio. A few have restricted access, but most are open to the public.
City Parks
Some cities have hidden gems right in the middle of town. Check city websites for local parks. They often have nice walking paths with displays of local flowers and plants, along with comfortable seating areas. This is a good way to build confidence and enjoy nature in a stress-free environment.
How to Choose the Right Trail
Loop Trails: These are good because they can be less confusing and easier to navigate. A loop trail simply means that you start and end at the same point, walking around a “loop”. Pick a trail no more than three miles long, and you will never be more than 1.5 miles from the parking lot.
Out and Back Trails: On these trails, you will have to walk back the same distance that you walked out. They are not configured in a loop. This is important to keep in mind, as you don’t want to go too far in the early stages of your outdoor journeys.
How to Plan Your Route
You will need a trail map or some other way to see what routes are available. Often, there will be a signpost near the trailhead (where hikes start) that shows various routes. It’s a good idea to take a picture of this map. Sometimes there will also be printed trail maps available; be sure to grab one.
Hiking Apps
I personally use Hiking Project. This is a free app that shows a variety of trails. You can search your area and download other states for planning. It also works a lot of the time in spotty cell coverage. If I have one bar on my phone, I can usually have the app open.
Hiking Project shows your location as you move along a trail. This makes it much harder to get lost. You can see elevation, and track your milage.
Hiking Safety and Building Confidence
Hiking is great for mental health. Stress reduction, connection with nature, and a sense of accomplishment are all benefits. The more time you spend outdoors, the more your confidence will grow.
Safety Tips
- Stick to marked trails
- Tell someone your plan
- Be aware of your surroundings
- Turn back if you are unsure
- Go during daylight hours
Can I hike alone?
Yes, you absolutely can hike alone. I’ve been doing it for many years with no issues. Waiting for a partner will limit your adventures. Solo journeys allow you to explore at your own pace. Just be sure to follow the safety tips listed above.
Hiking is for Everyone
The outdoors is for all fitness levels. Seniors, parents with children, those with accessibility issues and everyone who wants to give outdoor adventure a try.
Start small, and work your way up to longer and more strenuous hikes.
Many parks have accommodations for guests with mobility issues. Paved and/or wheelchair accessible trails are becoming more common. Some national and state parks are beginning to offer all-terrain wheelchairs. A park’s websites will usually have more detailed information.
Final Thoughts
I hope this post has inspired you to get out and enjoy some adventures of your own. This is the first part in our hiking series. Be sure to subscribe to this blog so you can be notified when later posts are available, with lots of tips to help you grow in your outdoor journey. Remember, start small, start local, and get some dirt under your boots.
Related:
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like “How to Car Camp: Tips for the Absolute Beginner“.
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