17 Beginner Hiking Mistakes That You Can (Easily) Avoid
Every hiker out there stepped foot onto the trail for the very first time at one point in their lives.
I was a beginner once too and personally have learned from many of these mistakes (especially #3!).
But the good news, is that it’s easy to avoid them, as long as you’re aware and know how to!
In this post, you’ll find 17 of the most common beginner hiking mistakes that you can easily avoid.
Let’s dive right in!
Beginner Hiking Mistakes Made Before the Hike
Not all mistakes are made while you’re out on the trail.
There are many that can be avoided before you even leave home!
Here are 8 beginner hiking mistakes that you should be aware of before leaving for your hike.
1. Over or Under Packing
One of the easiest mistakes to make when you hit the trail for the first time is either over or under-packing your bag.
Overpacking can lead to frustration about having too much to worry about as well as back pain from a heavy backpack.
On the other hand, underpacking can leave you with no emergency gear, cold-weather clothes, or extra snacks.
You should always ensure that you have just the right amount of gear in your bag before you hike.
A few essentials include first-aid supplies, extra clothing, snacks and water, and navigation devices.
Avoid packing things such as multiple shoes, heavy cameras, and bulky jackets.
Also, be sure that you’re properly packing your backpack to avoid back pain and so that everything is accessible when you need it.
Heavier things should be closer to your back and important things should be very easily accessible.
2. Choosing Too Difficult of a Hike
It can be tempting to choose that super awesome hike that leads you to a viewpoint over the mountains.
And it’s easy to say ‘yes’ to an experienced friend who asks you to tag along on their full-day hike.
But. These types of hikes tend to be long and full of elevation change and should only be attempted if you’re prepared to face it head-on.
Knowing your limits and being honest with yourself about your capabilities are important factors in being a safe hiker.
Many people have had to use Search and Rescue teams to get them back to the trailhead after they outdid themselves on the trail.
And while I’m grateful for them, I NEVER want to have to use Search and Rescue!
It might be tough, but if you feel like you can’t go any further, turn around.
I’ve had to do it before, and it’s disappointing, but it was for my safety and in my best interest.
Don’t fret about starting out on an easy trail- the difficult ones will still be there once you’re ready for them.
3. Underestimating Elevation Change
Something that comes along with choosing the right hike for you is understanding elevation changes.
It can be easy to forget about checking the elevation change on a hike.
A 2-mile hike may seem easy because it’s a short distance, but when you add 1,000 feet of elevation gain, it becomes a lot harder.
You should always account for the elevation change when choosing your hike, and be sure that you’re prepared for it.
As a beginner hiker, it’s usually best to start with something that has less elevation.
4. Skipping the Research
It’s always important to research a hike and the area before you set out for the day.
This research should include the weather, any hazards and closures, wildlife precautions, and the difficulty of the trail.
You should be well-versed in what you’ll encounter on the trail before you even get out there.
I find that the easiest way to research a trail is to use All Trails because there are real people reviewing trails fairly often.
You’ll be able to find the conditions of the trail, how long it takes to hike, if there are any closures, wildlife encounters, and more on there.
You also should take a look at the weather forecast before you leave home to ensure that you’ll be safe on the trail.
And always remember that weather still can change in an instant, even if the weatherman told you it wouldn’t.
Seasonal closures happen on some hikes, so to avoid disappointment, be sure the trail is open.
It’s also important to note if you’ll be hiking in bear country or if any other potentially dangerous wildlife inhabits the area.
5. Dressing for Fashion Rather Than Comfort
I totally get it. We all want to look good, especially for those Instagram-worthy shots.
But I can promise you that dressing comfortably on a hike is going to be much more functional and useful than dressing fashionably.
Plus, there are definitely some cute hiking clothes out there, just waiting to be shown on your feed.
When choosing what to wear for your hike, account for the weather and follow these basic tips:
- Avoid cotton clothing as it retains moisture and is heavy
- Choose moisture-wicking, fast-drying clothing
- Wear supportive and sturdy footwear
- Only wear footwear that you’ve previously broken in
Save your jeans, converse, and other cute clothes for a post-hike dinner rather than sporting them on the actual hike.
On top of dressing comfortably, you should also prepare yourself for changing weather by packing clothes to layer on top.
Think of the cold weather and rain that can show up without any notice.
6. Starting Too Late to Finish
This beginner hiking mistake tends to happen most often on long hikes that people think they can finish faster than they actually can.
Always make sure that you’re starting early enough that you’ll leave enough daylight to get back to the trailhead.
Hiking in the dark can be dangerous and makes it easier to go off-trail, especially if you aren’t prepared.
You can typically find out how long a hike averagely takes online or by using apps such as All Trails.
I recommend that you add at least an hour to that average, just to allow for some wiggle room.
If you’re a slower hiker, tend to take more breaks, or enjoy spending more time on the trail, set aside extra time.
You don’t want to get stuck a few miles from the trailhead in the dark, so start earlier than you think you’ll need to.
7. Not Sharing Your Plans with Someone
Setting out on a hike (especially a long one) without letting someone else know your plans can be dangerous.
You should always reach out to a friend or family member that you trust and let them know where you’ll be and when you’ll be back.
Then, when you return from your hike, check in with that person and let them know that you’ve finished.
If anything were to happen to you on the trail, someone would know where to look.
8. Showing Up to the Trailhead Too Late
This tip isn’t going to be detrimental to your safety and comfort on the hike, but it will determine whether you can actually hike.
Popular hiking trails have trailheads that tend to fill up very early in the morning.
If you show up too late, you could miss out on a spot and have to wait for someone to leave before you can park!
This can lead to huge disappointment after planning to do a hike and then not being able to, all because of a parking spot.
To avoid this, research the hike and read reviews on the trailhead.
Is there a lot of parking? How busy of a trail is it? What days are less busy? What time has the trailhead been filling up by?
These questions can all typically be answered by using a website like All Trails.
9. Packing Foods That You Don’t Like
I promise that when you’re out there on the trail, you’re going to want foods that comfort you and taste good.
Pack foods that you know you’ll enjoy, but are still nutritious.
You won’t be very happy when you try that new protein bar that someone online told you to try and it ends up being flavorless.
If nothing else, give the new food or snack a try at home and be sure that you like it before throwing it into your pack.
Granola bars, trail mixes, jerky, apples, pb&j sandwiches, and fruit snacks (😊) are a few of my personal favorites.
Beginner Hiking Mistakes Made During the Hike
After you’ve already left the trailhead and are out on the trail, it’s important to remember a few things.
Follow these tips and avoid these beginner hiking mistakes while you’re actively hiking.
10. Getting Hungry or Thirsty
I don’t know about you, but when I get hungry, I get hangry.
So when I’m out hiking, it’s always important for me to have plenty of snacks available to me.
And as I mentioned above, make sure that the snacks you pack are something that you enjoy.
You also should always make sure that you have enough water in your backpack.
It’s recommended to bring 1/2 liter of water for every hour of hiking that you’ll be doing.
I like to use a water bladder with a straw because I find it easier to drink while I’m on the trail because I don’t have to pull a bottle out of my bag.
It’s so important to stay hydrated while hiking, and remember that even if you don’t feel thirsty, you still need to drink!
11. Ignoring the Sun
It’s easy to forget about getting sunburnt when you’re having a blast on a hike.
You should always apply sunscreen at the trailhead and then again every 1-2 hours.
Even if the sun is hidden behind clouds, you’re still able to get burnt.
The sun’s rays can be even more damaging to your skin and eyes at higher elevations.
Wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses when you’re out hiking to ensure that you’re protected and staying cool!
12. Avoiding Stopping for Breaks
When you’re on a hike, it can definitely get exciting to just keep on going and get to the destination.
But, you should remember to stop and rest every once in a while.
Along the way, there are bound to be beautiful spots to stop and take in the views, which makes it easy to avoid this beginner hiking mistake.
These are great spots to stop, take a water break, and catch your breath.
Stopping for breaks is a good idea to ensure that you don’t tire yourself out too quickly.
13. Not Setting a Pace
Going along with not stopping for breaks, setting a pace while hiking is a good idea.
Depending on each person’s energy levels, physical condition, and more, everyone’s pace will be different.
Setting a pace that works for you will ensure that you don’t tire yourself out too quickly on your hike.
Trust me when I say that it’s not fun to get halfway through and be exhausted, and then remember that you still need to get back to the trailhead.
This tip also goes with staying hydrated and energized with food to be sure that you’re able to make it back to the parking lot.
14. Getting Lost Off-Trail
Getting lost off the trail can be a fear for many, but it’s easy to avoid this beginner hiking mistake by using navigation devices.
Cell phones are great resources when it comes to day hiking.
If you’re hiking in a popular area like a state or national park, you can usually download some sort of map.
I like using All Trails because I’m able to download the trail map and see exactly where I’m at on a trail.
Carrying a paper map is a smart idea, especially on longer hikes, because we can’t always count on our phones to stay fully charged.
And as tempting as it may be, don’t go off of the trail, take shortcuts, or walk through unmarked areas.
Doing this is just asking to get lost, so avoid it.
Plus, walking off-trail is damaging to plants and wildlife living in the area.
15. Showing Bad Trail Etiquette
When on the trail, you should always follow trail etiquette to the best of your ability.
This ensures that all other hikers on the trail are able to enjoy their time and aren’t interrupted on their hike.
Here are some basic rules when it comes to trail etiquette:
- Uphill hikers have the right of way and downhill hikers should step to the side
- Go the correct way on one-way trails
- Avoid being too loud and playing music without headphones
- Say hello to other hikers 😁
16. Underestimating Mother Nature
Mother Nature trumps everything else.
I completely understand how disappointing it can be to plan a hike and then have to cancel it, but if the weather is bad, it’s not worth the risk.
If the weather is extreme, especially if you’ll be in mountainous areas, stay home!
Dangers such as lightning, snowstorms, flash floods, and more can end a hiking trip real quick.
If the weather isn’t exactly extreme but also isn’t prime hiking weather, then just be sure to arrive prepared.
Carry rain gear, warmer clothes, and dry sacks to keep your belongings dry.
If it’s winter, pack clothes that you can layer on top of the ones you’re wearing.
In the summer, pack more water than you think you’ll need and have extra sun protection.
17. Forgetting to Leave No Trace
To end this list of beginner hiking mistakes, I wanted to remind you about the Leave No Trace principles.
We as humans are lucky enough to have the privilege of enjoying the outdoors.
If we don’t keep it clean and leave it better than before, we won’t be able to enjoy it anymore.
In saying that, you must always leave no trace, besides footprints, when hiking in nature.
Here are the 7 principles, that you can find more information on by clicking here.
- Leave what you find
- Be considerate of others
- Dispose of waste properly
- Travel on durable surfaces
- Respect wildlife
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Plan ahead and be prepared
FAQs
What Should You Not Do On a Hike?
This post is full of the things that you should try to avoid when hiking and when preparing for a hike.
The top mistakes made by hikers are:
1. Starting off too fast.
2. Overpacking or underpacking your bag.
3. Underestimating Mother Nature and elevation gain.
How Long Should a Beginner Hike Be?
How long your hike is will depend on a few things such as your fitness level and comfort on the trail.
I would say that a good distance for a beginner hiker is 2-3 miles with less than 1,000 feet of elevation.
After you’ve done this, you can work your way up to longer distances.
How Do Beginners Prepare For Hiking?
When you’re trying to prepare for a hike, you should plan to familiarize yourself with the area and the trail.
Pack your bag accordingly with the 10 essentials, and be sure that the trail is good for you.
Don’t get out on one that’s too long and always either go with someone or tell someone where you’re at.
What is The Golden Rule of Hiking?
While you’re on the trail, you should follow a few very important rules.
Number one, Leave No Trace. Anything that you bring on the trail should be brought back out.
And you should leave wildlife and nature alone. Read more here.
Second, use trail etiquette and treat others kindly, allow uphill hikers the right of way, and try not to be too loud.
The Wrap-Up: Beginner Hiking Mistakes
Making easy mistakes before setting out for one of your first hikes can be the difference between a fun, comfortable hike and a frustrating, dangerous one.
But, that isn’t to scare you into not hiking, but rather to prepare you before you head out.
This list of the most common beginner hiking mistakes will help you prepare and avoid them so that you have a fun and enjoyable hike.
