What is Hiking?
Let’s begin by covering the fundamentals before delving into the various ways to become a skilled hiker.
Hiking can be defined as the act of embarking on extended walks, particularly in rural areas or wooded regions. In essence, any form of walking that takes place away from paved roads or sidewalks qualifies as a hike.
There is a variety of hikes, with different shapes and sizes, and here is a breakdown of the various types of hikes that people commonly discuss.
Types of Hikes
- Day Hiking is what most people are doing when they say hiking. A day hike is done in a single day (I know… pretty obvious right?). This can range from a quick 1-mile hike to an all day, 12-hour journey.
- Backpacking (or trekking) is a multi-day journey. Trips entail carrying your gear with you to spend the night in nature – including a tent! Backpacking trips can be as short as one night or for months at a time!
- Thru-Hiking is a type of backpacking that starts and ends at different locations. These trips tend to be longer, like the Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail.
This guide focuses on day hiking – that’s my bread and butter! Day hiking is the perfect way to ease into outdoor adventures and build foundational knowledge.
Hiking Guide to Finding and Choosing Beginner Trails
In order to embark on a hike, it is necessary to locate the appropriate trail. Numerous resources are available to assist you in discovering fantastic trails in your vicinity, especially catering to novice hikers.
- AllTrails is the most popular hike planning app with over 100,000 trails worldwide. You can search hikes based on difficulty, length, elevation gain, and route type. You can also search in ‘map view’ to find hikes close to you! AllTrails provides tips on getting to the trailhead, restroom facilities, and reviews from other hikers.
- Blogs are a great way to find hikes (okay, I realize I may be biased!). Bloggers are able to provide the first-hand experience that you won’t find in the guidebooks. Try searching Google or Pinterest for hikes near you (for example, “B
- est Beginner Hikes in the Bay Area”).
- Friends and family that already hike can be great resources! Ask them for trail recommendations, hiking tips, or even to join you on the trail!
What to Look for in Beginner Hiking Trails
When you are a beginner, it is important to choose a trail that matches your fitness level. The level of difficulty in hiking trails goes beyond just measuring the distance.
When considering elevation gain and weather, it should be noted that a trail that is easy during the summer could become significantly more challenging in the winter due to icy conditions.
Understanding Elevation Gain
The calculation of elevation gain is not solely based on the disparity between the trail’s highest and lowest points. In the scenario where a trail commences and concludes at an elevation of 100 feet, the presence of undulating hills along the route should be taken into consideration.
To accurately determine the cumulative elevation gain of the hike, simply combine all the uphill sections of the trail. This can be easily done with apps such as AllTrails or the majority of hiking trail maps provided by national and state parks.
If you are just starting out, I suggest finding a trail that is less than 5 miles long and has a small amount of uphill climbing. It can be compared to walking on a treadmill: a hike that covers 1 mile in distance with an elevation gain of 500 ft has an average slope of 10%.
In order to maintain the same meaning, the text can be rephrased as follows: Search for hiking routes suitable for beginners that feature an elevation gain of less than 250 feet per mile.
If you are someone who enjoys running or walking, especially in areas with hills, you might be capable of tackling a more challenging and lengthy trail even if you are a beginner.
Tips for Choosing a Hiking Trail for Beginners
- Research seasonal constraints before picking a hike. Is the park open in the winter? Does the area get snow or flood? Make sure your trail is open and in good condition before you plan the hike.
- Check the weather before you go. Beginner hikes are most fun in sunny, warm conditions. Try to avoid hiking in rain, snow, or high winds.
- Make sure you have plenty of time to complete the hike. You don’t want to rush your hike. Spending time outdoors is supposed to be relaxing right? Pace yourself and allow time for breaks along the way. Avoid making plans or commitments immediately after your hike.
- Research any permits or logistics for the trail. Make sure the trail you intend to hike does not have any advance permit requirements or tricky logistics. The best way to read up on logistics for your hike is on the website for the park where you’re hiking.
- Read up on navigation and parking. Make sure you know where the trail starts and how you’ll get there. Some trailheads require an all-wheel drive vehicle or a hike to get to the trailhead! Be sure to read reviews on AllTrails or the park website about trailhead parking. Popular trailheads have competitive parking, so it’s always best to start your hike first thing in the morning!
The Definitive Backpacking Gear List For Beginners
A Well-Fitting Backpack
Go to your nearby REI or gear store and locate a backpack specifically designed for backcountry trips.
These backpacks are designed with the purpose of ensuring that the weight you are carrying is evenly distributed, in order to avoid any potential long-term injury to your back, neck, and shoulders.
These backpacks include chest and hip straps to ensure your load is secure, along with several pockets for convenient access and organization of your gear.
After finding the appropriate pack, it is important to have an REI specialist or any gear specialist fit it to your body. This is because everybody is unique, and they will make necessary adjustments to the straps in order to avoid putting undue stress or weight on areas where it should not be.
Sleeping Bag
When selecting a sleeping bag, it is crucial to consider the temperature rating, insulation type, and weight.
When choosing a bag, it is advisable to select one with a temperature rating lower than what you anticipate experiencing during your trip. A general guideline is to opt for a lower-degree rating since you can easily open up the bag if you feel too hot, but it is challenging to warm up inside a sleeping bag if you are feeling cold.
What is the difference between down and synthetic insulation?
Down insulated sleeping bags are typically priced in the range of around $250 to $300. Despite being more expensive, they have advantageous features such as being lightweight, compactable, long-lasting, and providing excellent insulation in cold and dry weather. Conversely, synthetic sleeping bags, which are priced between approximately $50 and $150, offer a different set of benefits. They dry quickly, retain insulation even when wet, and are hypoallergenic.
Down Sleeping Bags For Backpacking
Down sleeping bags are ideal for alpine backpacking and mountaineering due to their efficient and cozy insulation.
Sleeping bags that are filled with down are also excellent for long treks or thru-hikes (which refers to an extended trail crossing a mountain range, multiple states, etc), as they can be packed to a remarkably small size and are highly lightweight.
If you want to use down sleeping bags for a long time, you need to take a few extra steps in cleaning and care, as these bags are more technical yet highly efficient in their functionality.
Backpacking Tent
When considering tents, it is important to remember that they come in various sizes, shapes, and are rated for different seasons. However, it is advisable to opt for a smaller size.
Our recommendation is to acquire a lightweight tent that is suitable for use during the spring, summer, and fall seasons.
To effectively reduce weight during a backpacking trip, consider sharing a two-person tent with your hiking companion. By doing so, you can divide the weight: one person carries the tent, and the other person carries the poles.
Water Filter
To effectively reduce weight, it is recommended to fill a couple of water bottles and subsequently refill them when necessary with the aid of a water filter. Despite their appearance of being fresh and clear, glacial streams can often conceal harmful bacteria.
It is recommended to treat all water before consuming it, whether using a water filter, chemical tablets or drops, or UV light. Additionally, it is important to filter the water with fresh, flowing water and avoid filtering stagnant, murky water.
Head Lamp (with extra batteries)
If you find yourself hiking after sunset, a headlamp could be useful for getting around camp at night.
It is advisable to bring additional batteries with you in case you or someone in your group requires them.
Food and Kitchen Items
When considering food for backcountry trips, the majority of your meals will consist of freeze-dried options like Mountain House, Backpackers Pantry, or other available brands.
Consider bringing smaller food items, such as oatmeal, protein bars, and trail mix, in addition to your main meals. These items can be enjoyed as breakfast, lunch, or delightful snacks while hiking.
In addition, don’t forget to bring other kitchen items such as utensils, a camp mug for coffee or tea, and a backpacking stove to boil water for your meals.
Proper Clothing
In your initial journey, make use of the available resources but avoid using fabrics made of cotton. Cotton is not suitable for regulating body temperature and does not dry fast when exposed to moisture.
When packing, make sure to include clothing made of wool or quick-drying, athletic material. Avoid overpacking, but ensure you have an adequate number of layers to prepare for various weather conditions. Remember to pack an additional pair of wool socks, a puffy jacket for cool evenings, and a rain jacket.
