Is it Weird to Hike Alone? [Pros & Cons]

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Hiking is a favorite hobby of many people around the world, especially those who love the outdoors and exploring new places.

But what happens when all of your hiking buddies are busy, your mom won’t pick up, and your partner is out of town?

Is it weird to hike alone? Should you head out on that trail you’ve been wanting to check out without anyone? Or is it best to wait until everyone’s home?

These are the concerns of plenty of people out there. I even have wondered if it’s a good idea or safe to be on the trail alone.

In this post, we’ll go over the pros and cons of hiking alone, as well as some tips and ways to stay safe out there.

Is it Weird to Hike Alone?

First off, let’s just get right into the question and answer it.

No, it is most definitely not weird to go hiking alone.

In fact, many people find it admirable because they’re scared or nervous to do it for themselves (I’m talking about me 2 years ago!)

Most people won’t even question why you’re alone. They’ll just breeze right on past you because they’re out for their own adventure.

I think that is such an important message to remember for hiking and just in life.

Everyone is on their own journey and chances are, they’re looking at their own. Not yours.

So who cares if you’re out on the trail on your own! No one else cares.

There are many pros that come with hiking by yourself including empowerment, time alone, and you set the pace.

But, there are a few cons as well such as safety and boredom.

So let’s go over those pros and cons so you can decide if hiking by yourself is right for you.

Pros of Hiking Alone

There are so many great positives that come with hiking alone that are beneficial to your mind and body.

Time to Think

Oftentimes during the day, we’re surrounded by noises at the office, kids running around at home, or media on our phones.

And when others are around, we typically spend time talking to them, so you aren’t able to think to yourself.

We tend to fill our brains with so much media and noise that we don’t ever get a lot of time to just think.

Getting out on the trail with no one else to talk to but yourself can be a really great way to get some thinking done.

Whether you have a project that you’re working on or are just thinking of what to make for dinner, you can do it here.

It could also just be time spent thinking about how beautiful the area is or how lucky you are to be able to hike.

Either way, thinking is an important part of our life experiences, and it’s good to have time to organize those thoughts once in a while.

Time Spent Alone

While many people prefer to be with others all the time, there are some people who really love being alone.

Not that there’s anything wrong with others, but just because they’re introverted and prefer their own company.

But even those extroverts who thrive with others can benefit from spending some time alone every once in a while.

Getting out in nature and experiencing a little bit of alone time is a great way for you to become more comfortable with yourself.

Myself sitting on a rock after a hike alone in Yosemite National Park.

It’s important for you to feel comfortable with yourself because you’ll be with yourself until the end.

Solitude helps your brain to unwind from the busyness of being with others and think for yourself.

This of course goes along with having time to think.

Empowerment

Being alone can help you feel really empowered and strong by yourself.

Sometimes, it can cause loneliness, but other times, it can really show you your own strengths and what you’re good at.

You can be more productive, think more clearly, and test your true abilities.

You’ll gain a sense of incredible independence and will likely learn a lot about yourself.

I mean, getting out there and completing a hiking trail without the help of another person is pretty great.

Especially if it’s a difficult one and you finished all on your own. That’s pretty empowering if you ask me.

You Set the Pace

Another great reason to go hiking alone is that you can set the pace however fast or slow you want.

You know that feeling when you’re on a hike with someone and they’re walking just fast enough that you’re breathing heavier with every step?

Yeah. That sucks.

You won’t have that when you’re alone, because you have the opportunity to set the pace for yourself.

Whether that means that you’re trying to push yourself to move along faster and you walk 3 minutes faster than normal.

Or if it means that you want to take your time and spend an extra hour out on the trail.

Whichever it is, you get to choose and you won’t have to worry about anyone else!

Stop Whenever You Want

I love to stop and take pictures of seriously everything when I’m hiking.

From the big mountain views to the small slugs on the forest floor. I love all of nature.

So when I’m hiking alone, I can stop whenever I want to take pictures and I don’t have to worry about annoying other people.

Myself walking on a log near a waterfall in Glacier National Park.

Or, if you want to stop and take breaks more often than usual, go for it! You’re the boss!

And maybe on the other hand you’re the one who’s tired of everyone else’s picture-taking every 5 seconds.

Skip those pictures and just keep on trucking along down the trail!

No Waiting for Others

Have you ever really wanted to do something or go to an event but couldn’t find anyone to go with so you just skipped it?

DON’T DO THAT ANYMORE. Why skip something that you’re really interested in just because not everyone else wants to do it?

Go to the concert alone. Hit the hiking trail by yourself. Have dinner alone.

Don’t sit around waiting for other people to be interested or ready because if you have this mindset, it’ll never happen.

That’s one of the beauties of hiking alone.

I get to choose when I hike a trail and I don’t have to wait for someone else to be ready to hike it with me.

Cons of Hiking Alone

Now that you have a good understanding of all of the pros that hiking alone brings, let’s go over the cons that you may experience.

Boredom

On the flip side of having time to think and spending quality time with yourself, there’s boredom.

If you’re used to hiking with a friend, partner, or someone else, then you may find it totally boring to be out there alone!

You won’t have anyone to talk to and you’ll just be alone in your own thoughts.

While this can be great for some people, others may not enjoy being alone at all.

I know that a lot of people solve boredom with music or podcasts, but I really wouldn’t recommend this on the trail.

It’s good to have your ears wide open because you need to be paying attention to what’s around you!

For some people, hiking solo just isn’t for them! And if you don’t want to just enjoy nature, it may be best you stick with a group or friend.

Safety

One of the biggest concerns about hiking solo is that you won’t be safe while you’re on the trail.

This is a really valid concern because you are likely to be safer when you’re with someone else.

While the chances are slim, there’s always a possibility for animal or human attacks.

If you’re by yourself it’s more likely for these instances to occur.

As I said, these are unlikely circumstances, but they do unfortunately happen.

Myself standing near a frozen lake with mountain in the background at Rocky Mountain National Park.

But, keep in mind that these things don’t just happen on the trail. It can happen in the city or elsewhere too.

You should always take precautions to keep yourself safe when you’re alone whether that be on the trail or in the middle of the city.

I’ll highlight some of the best ways to keep yourself safe while solo hiking below.

You’re on Your Own

Going along with safety on the trail, if something were to happen to you, you will have to figure out the solution on your own.

Whether that’s you can’t get over the boulder field and need a hand or you slipped and hurt your leg.

This can put you in a dangerous situation.

A few things to help prevent these circumstances are always be cautious of where you are and what’s around you.

Another is to carry a personal locator beacon, which can connect you with emergency services if needed.

I also like All Trails Pro’s feature that allows you to set a time that you’ll be back at the trailhead and it’ll alert family members if you aren’t back.

Taking Your Own Photos

This isn’t a huge deal, but if you like to have pictures of yourself on hikes, you’ll have to figure out how to do it on your own!

Something as simple as a tripod and Bluetooth clicker combo can solve this problem.

You’ll also get really good at taking selfies!

Solo Hiking Tips

If you’re heading out for your first-time solo hiking, there are a few things that will help you feel comfortable and safe.

The tips below are some of the best ways to ensure your safety on the trail.

Start out on a shorter, busy trail to get used to the feel of hiking alone before jumping into larger, longer hikes.
Since no one is with you to help you out, don’t push the limits and only do what you know you can.
Carry a Personal Locater Beacon or satellite communicator to contact emergency services if needed.
Always tell someone that you trust where you’re going and when you expect to be back.
But don’t tell everyone where you are. Avoid posting on social media until you get back home or are away from that location. This is for stranger safety.
Understand the wildlife in the area so you can be prepared and know what to do in the event that you run into them.
Use a GPS system so you know where you are at all times, such as All Trails.
Carry enough food and water so that if you’re out on the trail longer than you thought, you’ll be prepared.
Keep track of time to ensure that you’re back at the trailhead before it gets too dark.
Always, always trust your gut. You know best, and if you don’t feel safe, it’s time to head back to the car.

Solo Hiking Essentials

Many of the essentials that you bring on your everyday hike with other people are the same things that you’ll need for a solo hike.

But there are a few additional things that you might want to add to your pack.

☀️ The 10 Essentials: In every pack you have, there should be water, food, navigation, sun protection, a knife, fire starters, shelter, first-aid, a headlamp, and extra clothes.

☀️ PLB or Satellite Communicator: Get in contact with emergency services or your family if you need help.

☀️ Bear Spray: In bear country, this could save your life if a bear or other wildlife were to get aggressive.

☀️ Portable Charger: If you need to recharge your phone, you’ll want this and a cord.

☀️ She’s Birdie: Something that gives me a piece of mind is my She’s Birdie, which makes a very loud noise if I pull it, warding off predators.

FAQ: Hiking Alone

On top of all of the pros and cons, I wanted to give you answers to a few more FAQs about going for a hike on your own.

Is Hiking Alone Good for You?

Hiking by yourself can definitely be good for you and can empower you to feel more independent and secure in yourself.

You might learn a lot about yourself and you’ll get to spend some good quality time in nature by yourself.

Fresh air and getting into nature is really good for you, and is one of the reasons that people enjoy hiking in the first place.

Is Hiking Alone Scary?

Hiking alone can be scary, especially the first few times that you do it.

Myself sitting alone near Lake Ingalls which is covered in snow in Washington after going hiking..

But if you’re prepared and aware, there’s really nothing to be scared about when solo hiking.

Is Hiking Alone Dumb?

No, hiking solo is not dumb and it is not weird to hike alone.

Again, if you’re prepared and are always staying aware of what’s around you, there is no reason to think that you’re being dumb for hiking alone.

As I mentioned above, a lot of people find it admirable when people solo hike because so many people are too nervous to go alone.

Should I Hike Alone as a Woman?

There can definitely be some risks of getting out on the hiking trail as a woman.

Unfortunately, we women have to face a lot more risks than we should while we’re out and about, especially when we’re alone.

But this shouldn’t be the case, and we need to break that cyce.

There are so many great reasons for women to solo hike, and so many women do it!

If you’re nervous about getting out there by yourself, consider joining a few Facebook groups about solo hiking.

There are some great ones that also set up group trips, which may allow you to meet up with other solo travelers. My favorite is Outdoorsy Gals.

Should I Hike Alone in the Dark?

While it’s cool to hike alone and all, I really would recommend trying to stay away from hiking alone in the dark.

There are more dangers of getting hurt, running into wildlife, and meeting unkind people at night.

If you can swing it, I would try to be off the trail before the sun sets if you’re out there alone.

Where is the Best Place to Hike Alone?

The best places to go hiking alone are busy trails where there are many other people.

Doing this will give you the chance to ask for help if you need it and will also help you feel safer.

With so many other people around, wildlife is likely to stay off of the trails and you won’t find as many scary people.

You can view reports and reviews on All Trails to see how often a trail is used.

Wrap-Up: Is it Weird to Hike Alone?

There are many reasons why people choose to hike alone and many reasons why people choose not to.

But is it weird to hike alone?

Absolutely not! And now you know why you shouldn’t be ashamed of hitting the trail by yourself.

From independence to time alone to setting your own pace, these are all great reasons to get out into nature and get to know yourself.