The Ultimate Hiking Guide for Beginners

The Ultimate Hiking Guide for Beginners

Written by Gabby Robles
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Published on December 2, 2021

There’s something special about taking a day, getting outdoors, and going on a beautiful hike. It is not only good for your mental and physical health, but it can truly help reset and refocus your mind. So if you’ve thought about getting more into hiking as a frequent outdoor activity, this guide is for you. We’ve created the ultimate hiking guide for beginners to walk you through everything you need to get started and thrive on the trail. We’ve also included an easy-to-follow packing checklist at the end of the article, so you make sure to bring everything you need on your next hike. 

Here are the topics we’ll be covering:

  1. Essential hike gear 
  2. What to wear
  3. Food and nutrition
  4. Hydration
  5. Where to go hiking 
  6. Hiking etiquette 
  7. Trail navigation
  8. Safety tips
  9. “Leave No Trace” principles

So lace up your hiking boots and tighten your backpack straps. It’s time to get started. 

Essential Hiking Gear

While hiking gear can change based on your location, experience, and time you’re spending on the trail, the core basics are relatively simple. 

Here are the essentials:

What to Wear

It’s important to wear clothing that keeps you warm, dry, and comfortable, but will also last and are durable enough to handle outdoor adventures. 

You also want to be sure to stay away from cotton clothing as cotton is heavy, and fast-absorbing, slow-drying. That means when you sweat in cotton or get it wet, not only can you not wick that moisture away quickly, but it also loses all of its insulating properties. 

If you’re hiking in an area with colder temperatures, this can be a serious issue, leading to discomfort, chafing, sickness, and even hypothermia. As the old saying goes, “Cotton kills,” so do yourself a favor and avoid cotton entirely when outdoors, and especially when hiking. 

Here is the list of what to wear while hiking: 

Food and Nutrition

While you won’t be bringing as much as you would for a backpacking or camping trip, most hikes take several hours at least. You also typically burn 1,000+ calories per hike, depending on the difficulty, so you need to be feeding your body good snacks and food that replenish what you burn off. 

Look to bring snacks packed with tons of protein, carbs, and essential nutrients and vitamins. Snacks like granola bars, trail mix, energy bars, jerky, or dehydrated fruits snacks are great options. Many people choose to bring a camping stove and cook food when hiking well, which is always a great option. 

Regardless of your preference, be sure to bring plenty of food so you don’t get hungry on the trail. 

Here are the essential food items for hiking: 

  • Plenty of Snacks – Granola bars, trail mix, energy bars, etc

Optional cooking items:

Hydration

Like most outdoor activities, it’s incredibly important to stay hydrated while hiking. The rule of thumb is to drink 1-2 liters of water before you hike and have 2-4 liters of water with you on the hike, with the ability to filter extra water on the trail if need be. 

Another important item to bring is energy and electrolytes tablets, chews, and gels. They might seem like an item that could get overlooked, but they will make your hiking experience so much better. Not only do they allow you to stay hydrated, by retaining the water you drink, but they are packed with natural caffeine and other vitamins and minerals that keep you feeling good for longer. They always should be in your hiking pack, no matter what. 

Here are some essential hydration pieces you need in your hiking kit: 

Where to Go Hiking

When it comes to the United States, there are endless places to hike and explore in almost every state. But there are a few that are truly exceptional, with multiple options for any experience level. 

Here are some amazing camping destinations, from east to west: 

  1. Acadia National Park, Maine
  2. Baxter State Park, Maine  
  3. White Mountains National Forest, New Hampshire
  4. Green Mountain National Forest, Vermont
  5. The High Peaks Wilderness, Adirondack Mountains, New York 
  6. The Catskill Mountains, New York
  7. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia 
  8. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee/North Carolina
  9. Linville Gorge Wilderness, North Carolina 
  10. Red River Gorge, Kentucky 
  11. Big Bend National Park, Texas
  12. Ozark National Forest, Arkansas
  13. Badlands National Park, South Dakota
  14. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
  15. Gunnison National Forest, Colorado
  16. San Juan National Forest, Colorado
  17. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
  18. Wind River Range, Wyoming
  19. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
  20. Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area
  21. Glacier National Park, Montana
  22. Sawtooth National Forest, Idaho
  23. Canyonlands National Park, Utah
  24. Arches National Park, Utah
  25. Zion National Park, Utah
  26. Grand Staircase of the Escalante, Utah
  27. Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, Arizona 
  28. Sedona, Arizona
  29. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
  30. Great Basin National Park, Nevada
  31. Lake Tahoe/, Nevada/California
  32. Yosemite National Park, California
  33. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, California  
  34. Redwoods National and State Parks, California
  35. Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Corridor, Oregon
  36. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
  37. Ecola State Park, Oregon
  38. Three Sisters Wilderness, Oregon
  39. Willamette National Forest, Oregon
  40. Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon
  41. Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon/Washington
  42. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
  43. Olympic National Park and Forest, Washington
  44. Alpine Lakes Wilderness, Washington 
  45. North Cascades National Park, Washington
  46. Denali National Park, Alaska
  47. The Talkeetna Mountains, Alaska
  48. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska
  49. Kōkeʻe State Park and Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park, Kauai, Hawaii
  50. Haleakalā National Park, Maui, Hawaii

Hiking Etiquette

Like most outdoor activities, there are certain rules and etiquette to get familiarized with. These are widely accepted and make the hiking experience better. 

Here are the five main points of hiking etiquette: 

  1. Know your right of way. Sometimes rules change per park or destination, but typically it goes as follows: 
    1. Hikers coming uphill have the right of way. If you’re coming downhill, yield to uphill hikers and give them plenty of space.
    2. Bicyclists yield to hikers, horses, and other pack animals. 
    3. Hikers yield to horses and other pack animals.
  2. Make yourself known, especially if you approach a hiker from behind. If you want to pass, kindly ask and allow them to step to the side.
  3. Stay on the designated trail. Cutting through trails and taking shortcuts can kill fragile vegetation the area needs.
  4. Do not disturb wildlife. Give them the space and respect they deserve.
  5. Be mindful of trail conditions, and ask a ranger or official if you are concerned about conditions farther along the trail.

Trail Navigation

Most hiking trails are very straightforward and easy to navigate, but if you go on a hike that requires a little more route-finding, here are five things you do to navigate with confidence. 

  1. Do as much research beforehand. Resources like Alltrails and BackcountryX provide tons of information, on-trail tracking, and the latest trip reports. It’s important to understand everything you need to know about a more complex trail before actually going. 
  1. Do as much research beforehand. Resources like Alltrails and BackcountryX provide tons of information, on-trail tracking, and the latest trip reports. It’s important to understand everything you need to know about a more complex trail before actually going. 
  1. Do as much research beforehand. Resources like Alltrails and BackcountryX provide tons of information, on-trail tracking, and the latest trip reports. It’s important to understand everything you need to know about a more complex trail before actually going. 
  1. Do as much research beforehand. Resources like Alltrails and BackcountryX provide tons of information, on-trail tracking, and the latest trip reports. It’s important to understand everything you need to know about a more complex trail before actually going. 
  1. Do as much research beforehand. Resources like Alltrails and BackcountryX provide tons of information, on-trail tracking, and the latest trip reports. It’s important to understand everything you need to know about a more complex trail before actually going. 

Safety tips

Now, it’s time to talk about safety. While hiking might be one of the most enjoyable outdoor experiences, you’re still in the wild, outdoor places that can turn dangerous fast if you aren’t prepared. 

Here are ten simple tips to keep you safe: 

  1. Consult with a professional or park ranger before beginning your trip. You might do all the research in the world, but asking a professional or park ranger about current conditions and trail information is something you should always do, especially if you aren’t familiar with the area. Calling or asking in-person can also make you aware of day-of closures, concerns, or dangers like weather and wildlife. If you’re not sure, just ask. 
  2. Know and share where you’re going. It’s incredibly important to always know everything there needs to know about the trail or destination you are backpacking to. It’s even more important to share that information with your friends and family, so they know exactly where you’ll be in case of emergencies.
  3. Be ready for emergencies. Always be ready for when things go south. Whether it’s an unexpected injury or sudden change in weather, know what to do in those situations and always have a plan. One of the most important pieces of gear for emergencies is a GPS locator and satellite communicator. Not only do these devices allow for texting and calls by satellite, but they allow for emergency calls that send your location to authorities. It’s one of the most important devices you can carry on a camping trip and should be with you at all times. 
  4. Go with a group. Solo backpacking can be really enjoyable if you are comfortable and familiar with the area. However, for most people, a rule of thumb is to always go with at least 2-3 people. Not only does this make backpacking safer for everyone, but it gives peace of mind knowing if you get injured or lost, people would be there to help.
  5. Be prepared for changing weather. Another rule of thumb is to always prepare and be on the lookout for changing weather that could turn dangerous fast. Whether you’re in the mountains or high desert during monsoon season, storms can form in a matter of minutes. It’s important to pack what you need and always be watching for systems rolling in so you don’t get stuck above tree line, in a slot canyon, or other dangerous situations when backpacking. 
  6. Give wildlife their space.  No matter where you backpack or camp, you’ll most likely run into wildlife — big or small. While it may be tempting to get close or feed these animals, it’s important to respect their space and not feed them anything.
  7. Be bear aware. One of the most frequently seen and dangerous animals while backpacking are bears. In the lower 48 states, black, brown, and grizzly bears are most common. While most are equally as afraid of us as we are of them, it’s best to always be bear aware and bring the right gear. If backpacking in bear country, you will need a bear canister for food and scented items like deodorant and toothpaste, a bear bell for your backpack, to alert bears of your presence from far away, bear spray that is within reach in case you need to use it fast, and a knife or weapon to protect yourself. Finally, always place your food canister or any scented items 50-100 yards away from your campsite to eliminate the chance of a curious bear stumbling into your tent at night searching for food. 
  8. Bring the right essentials for the season and elements. It’s important to always bring the right essentials for the season you backpack. Whether it’s bug spray, sunscreen, or hand warmers, the smallest essentials can make the biggest difference and make for a much safer, enjoyable trip. 
  9. Leave enough in the tank for the journey out. If you aren’t used to backpacking, it can be really easy to use all your energy on the journey in, leaving very little for the journey out. This can lead to more injuries, trips, and falls, which can be very dangerous. Be sure to give your body plenty of adequate rest in between trips and start training to improve your endurance so you can start and finish with the same amount of strength. 
  10. Don’t be ashamed to turn around. Last but not least, don’t be ashamed to turn around and go back. Whether you’re concerned about the weather, safety, or health, no backpacking trip is worth a life-threatening situation. If you feel in your gut that you should turn around, do it. It might just save your life. 

Practice “Leave No Trace” Principles

Finally, let’s end with one of the most important topics that covers every activity in the outdoors. It’s called “Leave No Trace.” This slogan is centered around being responsible in the outdoors, and doing everything we can to preserve the beauty and tranquility of our natural planet. There are seven easy principles to know and remember to help you enjoy the outdoors responsibly. 

The Seven “Leave No Trace” Principles: 

  1. Plan ahead and prepare
  2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces (or 100 feet from a water source)
  3. Dispose of waste properly (pack in, pack out everything)
  4. Leave what you find
  5. Minimize campfire impacts and never start a fire during an active fire ban
  6. Respect wildlife
  7. Be considerate of other visitors

Again, all these are simple. If abided by, they makes everyone’s outdoor experience so much better. If we care about experiencing the outdoors, we should care about protecting and conserving it for generations to come. So, when we go backpacking, let’s leave it better than we found it. 

Checklist of all hiking essentials:

Article and photos by Nathan Lee Allen

Nathan Lee Allen is a storyteller and photographer from Kentucky. Check out his work on his website nathanleeallen.com, on Facebook.com/peaktopierglobalstudio, and Instagram @nathanleeallen. 

Gabby Robles

Gabby Robles