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What is stopping you from hiking solo? As a woman who hikes alone, I get you. Whatever you’re feeling, I have felt it too, and most likely still do! Every time I set out for a solo hike, particularly if I haven’t done one in a while, the deeply ingrained fears of being a woman alone in ‘the wild’ kick in. How do you bite the bullet and gain the confidence to become a solo hiker?
I’ve been hiking all my life, and you never really think about things like safety when you’re in a group. My dad has always been ‘the leader’ on our family walks but taking on the baton of planning your own route, finding your own way and actually going out and getting it done is a big step up. Is it scary? At times, yes. Is it worth it? Oh YES!
Becoming a Confident Solo Hiker
Confidence is the best accessory you can invest in. Why? Knowing yourself and being able to keep an even keel in even the stormiest of seas is a life changing revelation. I’m sure, like me, you’ve been through times in your life where you look back and say ‘I wish I had been able to stand up and stay my ground’. My philosophy is that there’s no point regretting the things you’ve done, or not done, but recognising what is missing means you’ll be pouring from a full cup in the future.
Hiking on your own allows you to slow down and clear your mind. Personally, I find that answers come to me when I’m out and about ruminating and letting my thoughts sort themselves out. Solo hiking has brought me into myself in the fullest sense. It’s my form of meditation. If I can survive in ‘the wild’ I can survive anywhere, including the concrete jungle!
Remember: “Nature is only wild to those who separate themselves from her” – Raven Grimassi
Self Confidence Attracts Solo Hiking Success
Confidence is allowing yourself to be completely and utterly you. I love being able to live in a place where I can be exactly who I want to. Are there still issues to overcome and glass ceilings to be broken? Yes. Will I show up with my climbing crampons and camping mallet? Most definitely.
Solo hiking is one of those glass ceilings we haven’t fully shattered yet. I see the key issue as being a lack of self-confidence. This is by no means a reflection of you. Rather, it is a reflection of society, and how women are viewed as fragile creatures. Put us alone in some woods and there’s a horror story for you right there. Popular culture and the media play into these fears, but there’s a different picture to be painted, one that I am here to show you.
I was fortunate to grow up with a Dad, and a family, who instilled in me the crucial notion that I can do whatever I put my mind to. It’s been a long journey for me to get into solo hiking though, simply because I never thought to do it. After a lifetime spent learning the ropes of hiking in general, I then had to work to apply what I knew to hiking solo.
My point is that I want you to consider solo hiking as an option for yourself. Perhaps like me you’ve just never thought to do it – what is there to gain from isolating yourself further if you’re already feeling lonely? Perhaps there are reasons why you’re too scared to take the leap – you’re not a ‘hiker’, you might get completely and utterly lost. Well that’s why I’m here. Let me help you learn to hike alone, without being lonely or getting (too) lost! 😉
Potential Issues a Solo Hiker Can Face
By being as truthful as possible about the issues us solo hiking women face and focusing on how to overcome our fears, I intend to normalise and minimise your worries. These fears are mostly in your mind, and trust me these sometimes worry me too. Yes, there is the small possibility that a risk could become a very real threat, but by preparing yourself you’ll be in a much better position to minimise and deal with the situation.
Encountering Other People While Hiking
I know we’re all thinking it. It’s the biggest elephant in the room. The possibility that our lives end up as the news story of the year. Let’s discuss:
Walking in the countryside is a lot safer than walking in a city on your own. This being, at the simplest level, that there is a greater concentration of people in any given urban area and the potential risk increases as the population density rises.
If you’re thinking, ‘yes well at least there’s people around to help me if something happens’, then I understand. Consider, however, that the vast majority of people you will encounter out in the countryside are there for the same reasons you are – to get some fresh air, enjoy nature, walk their dog. The more you get out, the more you’ll realise just how friendly these people actually are. You’ll also become aware of just how many people there are that love hiking, just like you!
You are the author of your own hiking experience, and as a general rule of thumb, you’ll never be too far away from somewhere or someone like yourself. So long as you plan ahead and don’t go ploughing ahead into an area without considering the potential risks (if an area is very isolated, or you haven’t been there before), then you’ll be absolutely fine.
Getting Lost on a Hike
Getting lost is up there on the fear factor. We’re meant to live these perfect, Insta-worthy lives now. We need to know what we want and then execute it perfectly. Well ladies, like life, hiking can be messy. There can be leaves in your hair, mud on your face and to top it off you have NO CLUE where you are!
I’ll let you in to a little secret… these are my favourite types of hike! By learning a few crucial skills like map reading and how to ask for help if you really have fluffed it, you can transform any wrong turn into an adventure. There are always different ways to get back on the right track – you’re not going to be lost in the wilderness forever! It’s just not possible, since there will always be dwellings, a road or another hiker around.
Overcoming something like getting lost need not be a reason to stop you heading out to the hills. You got this! Have a look at my other blog posts to pick up some crucial hiking skills and tips.
Overcoming Fear as a Solo Hiker
One of the reasons I love repeating my hiking routes is that I get to know an area intimately. This allows me to become calmer and to enjoy my hike more. Whenever I go somewhere new, it does take some time to relax into it and pick up the general vibe and safety of an area – it’s normal! Perseverance is key to overcoming your fears.
This is not to detract from the excitement of discovering and exploring somewhere new. Since solo hiking is a personal journey, you will know how you prefer your exploration to be – whether that is sticking closer to home on well-trodden paths, or heading off on a proper multiple-day expedition to somewhere you’ve never been before.
Addressing your fear and allowing yourself to recognise it is important. But so is taking that first step. If you end up overthinking things, you get stuck in your mind and I understand that feeling all too well. It’s normal to feel worried or anxious about doing this for the first time, or even the fortieth time!
My Journey to Solo Hiking Success
Finding a larger purpose to get you out and about really helps. I started solo hiking when I was training for my Welsh Three Peaks Challenge, because I needed to go hard and far. My friends worked different shifts to me, and I knew that I needed to build my stamina, speed and strength to a level that most people didn’t need to have. That and I would be slowed down immensely when I was chatting to other people!
I found a freedom I had not encountered before. An absolute freedom to go wherever I wanted to go, and a sense of responsibility for myself and my route. The feeling of satisfaction and achievement I feel when I’ve completed a hike alone is unlike anything else. It helps me to feel in control and reminds me of how capable and independent I really am. In this crazy, fast, modern world, actually achieving something – knuckling down and getting it done – is the best feeling in the world.
My 8 Practical Tips to Become a Confident Solo Hiker
- Gear up the right way – you don’t need expensive kit and you definitely don’t need a lot of it to get started. Start with supportive hiking boots, a map of your local area and a decent waterproof jacket. If it’s chilly, layer up with clothes you already have, like a fleece, t-shirt and perhaps a vest, hat and gloves.
- Be prepared – I’m talking about planning your route, packing enough snacks and water and having an emergency plan. This could be as simple as planning to get a taxi back if it takes you longer than expected.
- Embrace the fear – just take that first step & get out the door. Trust me!
- Relax into it – this may take about 20-30mins and a good deal of rationalising. You may feel a bit self-conscious if you’re out alone and every else is in a group, but it’s all in your head my dear.
- Humanise other people – no matter how comfortable you are when solo hiking, sharing a quick friendly hello or a smile with other people will greatly increase your comfort level.
- Focus on and embrace what you could gain – for a start, there’s self-confidence, a healthy body (remember, every body is different) and an immense feeling of achievement and satisfaction at the end.
- The more you do it, the more confident you’ll become in your own abilities – trust the process. Every hike is different, and there’s no pressure to enjoy every hike you go on. Accept each experience for what it is, learn from it and persevere. You’ve got this.
- Listen to your intuition – if something doesn’t feel right, don’t pressure yourself. Chances are there’s nothing to worry about but forcing yourself into situations that you’re not happy with will only detract from your overall experience and perception of solo hiking! Everyone’s on their own journey, so step back when you need to and try again another day.
From One Solo Hiker to Another
Solo hiking can be scary, I get it. On the other side of fear, however, is so much more than you are expecting. Hiking alone has given me so much confidence in my abilities. It allows me to constantly become a better woman and to trust in myself more. Do not underestimate how this will translate to other aspects of your life.
Allowing yourself the space and time to get back to nature and to yourself is crucial. There’s no use in pouring from an empty cup! One of the biggest hurdles you will encounter is your mind. Words and thoughts have power though, so tell yourself you can do it and you will! The power of positive thinking is not to be sniffed at.
I hope I’ve managed to put your fears to rest – now it’s up to you. Most important, don’t pressure yourself, go at your own pace and remember to have fun! Hiking by yourself is exhilarating – you notice so much more. Your cup will soon be overflowing.
I’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together we can build a network of solo women hikers in the southwest of England and have our own A Woman Walks community!
Until next time my wild woman!
From me to you,
Jenni
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