How Far Should I Hike if I’m a Beginner?
- Somewhere in the 5-Mile Range Is a Good Starting Point. There’s no one single rule for beginning hiker distance. ...
- Choose the Right Trail for Your Initial Hikes. ...
- Add a Few Miles Each Week or So. ...
- Follow a Training Plan. ...
- Pack Light to Make It Easier to Boost Your Miles. ...
- Go at Your Own Pace. ...
Full Answer
What are the best hiking trails for beginners?
One of the best hiking trails for beginners is in southeast Utah at Arches National Park. Of course seeing the arches at the park are phenomenal! Many of the trails in the park are paved, making Arches National Park perfect for almost anyone new to hiking.
How to start hiking as a beginner?
Hiking for Beginners 101. 1 Choose the Proper Hiking Trail. The first thing any new hiker needs to do is choose the best hiking trail for them and their abilities. That means ... 2 Study AllTrails, Maps, and Reviews. 3 Plan Your Route. 4 Check the Weather. 5 Tell Someone Your Plan. More items
How can I find hiking lessons?
If you have friends who hike, ask them to take you on a trek. Most people are happy to share their expertise, let you borrow gear and introduce newbies to their favorite trails. If you don’t know any hikers, many cities and towns have hiking clubs that regularly plan outings. You can find hiking classes, outings and events through REI Experiences.
Can you hike in one day?
This just means that you should probably be looking into day hikes, AKA hikes that you can do in one day. Contrary to maybe-popular belief, hiking doesn’t need to involve mountains. There are also completely flat beginner hiking trails, hikes through meadows, and even urban hikes in cities.
What is considered a beginner hike?
Pick A Hike for Beginners They pick a hike that's either too long or has too much climbing. If you're just starting out, pick a hike under 5 miles with minimal climbing. If you want to do a longer hike, make a training plan in advance.
How long should a hike be for beginners?
How many miles should a beginner hike? Beginner hikers should plan to hike up to 5 miles on easy trails.
How do Beginners plan hiking?
Use the following hiking tips to make your first treks successful:Start small and choose the right trail for your fitness level. ... Familiarize yourself with the trail. ... Check the weather. ... Tell someone where you will be. ... Pack the 10 essentials. ... Wear the right shoes and socks. ... Dress for success. ... Keep it light.More items...•
How far can a beginner hiker hike?
There's no one single rule for beginning hiker distance. Still, it's easier to work your way up progressively if you go in increments of five miles, which means a good rule of thumb is to start with hikes of 5 miles or less.
What should you not do while hiking?
Here is a list of then things that one must avoid while hiking:Never go off the trail. ... Never play loud music. ... Never wear headphones while walking. ... Never drink alcohol while hiking. ... Never eat wild fruits. ... Never litter. ... Never attend nature's call near the stream. ... Never ignore any medical condition.More items...
Do you lose weight from hiking?
Is Hiking a Good Way to Lose Weight? Yes, hiking can be a great addition to your weight loss plan. Hiking is a form of cardio, so it helps you burn body fat just like a traditional cardio routine.
How long is an average hike?
Every hiker and trail is different, but on average, you can hike 8-15 miles a day [4]. Even the slowest hikers can cover a considerable distance if they have the time to spare. At a pace of 2 mph (slower than average), you can comfortably hike 10 miles in a day.
Can a beginner do a 10 mile hike?
Hiking 10 miles is hard if you're a beginner hiker or out of shape. To accomplish a difficult hike, you need to slowly build up your endurance and distance by working out the muscles you're going to use on the hike. You should begin training at least six weeks before the hike.
How long can a beginner hike in a day?
As a beginner, you should plan on a max of 8-10 miles in a single day. Your body is not used to hiking those distances, especially if you are carrying a fully loaded backpack.
Can a beginner do a 7 mile hike?
A 7-mile hike can become a long hike for both beginner and experienced hikers, depending on the terrain and the elevation gain. Knowing the amount of time you take on hikes is vital to handle the shifting weather and trail conditions. Make sure to pack only the essentials to avoid weighing yourself down.
How far can a beginner hike in a day?
As a beginner, you should plan on a max of 8-10 miles in a single day. Your body is not used to hiking those distances, especially if you are carrying a fully loaded backpack.
Can a beginner do a 7 mile hike?
A 7-mile hike can become a long hike for both beginner and experienced hikers, depending on the terrain and the elevation gain. Knowing the amount of time you take on hikes is vital to handle the shifting weather and trail conditions. Make sure to pack only the essentials to avoid weighing yourself down.
What is a good length for a hike?
Every hiker and trail is different, but on average, you can hike 8-15 miles a day [4]. Even the slowest hikers can cover a considerable distance if they have the time to spare. At a pace of 2 mph (slower than average), you can comfortably hike 10 miles in a day.
What is a good distance for a day hike?
Most people will plan to hike 3-10 miles per day, depending on what shape you're in and how much elevation gain there is.
What is the best trail to hike in Arches National Park?
However, perhaps one of the best hiking trails for beginners is the Park Avenue Trail. It’s less visited than the other trails, and offers magnificent views of the canyon.
How long is the Solstice Canyon Loop Trail in Malibu?
One of the best hikes in the USA to get maximum views for minimal effort is the Solstice Canyon Loop Trail in Malibu, California. It’s a relatively easy 3.2 mile hike with approximately 800 feet in elevation gain.
How long is the Sabino Lake loop?
The path leads to a seasonal lake and offers spectacular views of the canyon. At 2.3 miles in length with 144 feet of elevation gain, the Sabino Lake Loop is an easy trail that is good for most skill levels, making it one of the best beginner hiking trails.
What is the biggest tree in the world?
Sequoia trees are the biggest trees on earth and the largest of them all are in Sequoia National Park. The trails in Sequoia National Park are perfect beginner hiking trails!
How long is the hike to Green Sand Beach?
The hike from the main parking lot is to the green sand beach is about 5 miles round trip. The hike is mostly flat to slightly rolling hills along the scenic coast, so it’s perfect for hiking for beginners.
Where to hike in Los Angeles?
10. East Observatory Trail, Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California. See the city with this easy hiking trail for beginners in LA. A hike in Griffith Park is one of the best things to do in Los Angeles and is a must for any visitor.
Where to hike in South Utah?
Hiking beginners visiting South Utah should look out for Mossy Cave Trail, a very easy one mile out-and-back type trail located outside of Bryce Canyon National Park. This hike features the best of Bryce Canyon without the price tag or skilled hiking proficiency.
How much water does a daypack carry?
For short treks on trails that are close to home and on days with pleasant weather, a daypack with a capacity of about 15–20 liters provides enough space for water, a few snacks and a lightweight clothing layer.
How much water do you need for a day hike?
Water treatment: Many hikers carry all the water they will need for a day hike. However, if you anticipate needing more than about 3 liters , that can be quite heavy. By filtering and treating water from backcountry streams and lakes, you refill your water bottles or hydration reservoir and reduce your load. Learn more:
How fast can you walk?
An average walking pace is about 3 mph, but your hiking pace may be slower than that depending on terrain, elevation gain and how much weight you’re carrying on your back. Elevation gain: The amount of elevation gain on a hike is one factor that determines the difficulty.
What is the best way to immerse yourself in nature?
Hiking for Beginners. Hiking is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the outdoors. Transported by your own two feet and carrying only what you need for the day on your back, you can discover the beauty of nature at whatever pace you’re comfortable with.
What are the essentials for hiking?
Start by making sure you’re carrying the Ten Essentials. This is a collection of gear and clothing that all hikers should carry whenever they step onto the trail. The collection includes items for navigation, sun protection, insulation, illumination, first aid, fire, repairs, nutrition, hydration and emergency shelter. Learn more in our article about the Ten Essentials.
How to pee on a trail?
If you just have to pee, simply find a place that’s well away from the trail and at least 200 feet (about 70 steps) from water sources. For women, you can “shake dry” or you can bring a couple wads of toilet paper and a small zip-top plastic bag. Put the used toilet paper in the bag and dump the paper in your toilet when you get home. Another option is to use a bandana as a “pee rag” that you can tie to the outside of your pack to dry out.
What to wear for long distances?
Whatever you choose, make sure the boots or shoes are well broken-in and comfortable for long distances. And wear wool or synthetic socks, not cotton.
What is Hiking?
Before we dive into all the ways you can become an expert hiker, let’s start with the basics.
What is an all trails app?
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.
What is the most popular app for hiking?
There are so many resources to help you find awesome trails in your area, particularly for beginner 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.
How to find hikes near you?
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, “Best Beginner Hikes in the Bay Area”).
How much elevation gain is needed for a 1 mile hike?
Think about it like you’re on a treadmill: a 1-mile hike with 500 ft of elevation gain has an average grade of 10% . Look for beginner hikes with less than 250 feet of elevation gain per mile.
How long is a day hike?
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.
How to avoid making plans for a hike?
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.
When to plan a hiking trip?
After you’ve picked out your trail it’s time to plan your hiking trip. For me, this means picking a day when the weather will be nice, packing what I think I will need for the duration and scale of the hike, and hopefully finding a few buddies to tag along!
What is the biggest mistake a beginner hiker makes?
A big mistake many beginner hikers make is starting on the trail at a fast pace , and then they are worn out 1km in. Remember to pace yourself when hiking.
What is the best app to use for hiking?
AllTrails is my favorite app to use when planning out my hike. I suggest any new or experienced hiker download it, and paying for a subscription at least in the summer so you can download their topography maps right to your phone and can access them offline.
How to respect other hikers?
Always respect other hikers when on the trail. Give people their space, say hello to passer byers, let faster hikers pass you, and don’t blast loud music on the trail. Also, remember that proper hiking etiquette is to let the ascenders pass you as your descending.
What to pack for a first day hike?
In most mountain areas, this means layers and layers. When I am out on a day hike I always pack a down jacket and rain jacket with me, no matter what.
How to deter animals from hiking?
Try not to hike alone. Having just one other person to talk to and make noise with will deter animals.
How much water should I bring on a hike?
It’s important to bring enough water with you on your hike. I typically start with 2 Liters and will adjust accordingly to my objective and anticipated hiking time.
What are some tips for hiking for beginners?
Hiking for beginners can be intimidating, but there’s really not much to it. You don’t need any special skills to hike; you just have to be able to walk and know where you are. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in nature, get a good workout in, and recharge your batteries.
How to tell someone you're hiking?
At the very least, tell someone where and when you’ll be hiking. It can be as simple as sending a text message with the hike webpage and note that you’ll be back at a certain time. If something bad happens, this will increase your chances of being found dramatically. You can also get very detailed with this nice worksheet that the LA County Sheriff’s Department put together.
What to do with old hiking boots?
If you have an old pair of hiking boots in your closet, it might be better to leave them behind if you haven’t worn them in a while, they could cause blisters.
What to wear when hiking?
Let’s start with clothing. A typical mistake hiking beginners make is wearing jeans and regular clothes, which will get heavy and chafe wif they get sweaty or wet. Wear wicking workout clothes, which are designed for being active. Long pants or tights are good for making sure your legs don’t get scraped up on bushes along the trail. Likewise, long sleeve shirts will protect you from the elements, but you can roll up the sleeves when it’s hot.
What would happen if we left more water bottles on the trails?
If we leave more empty water bottles and poop bags on the trail, trails will close.
Should I start hiking alone?
First, I highly recommend that you start your hike as early as possible. The later you leave it, the more crowds there will be. Conversely, if you’re scared to hike alone and want other people on the trail, leave at a popular time. It might be harder to park, etc. but you’ll have company.
Do you need a paper map for hiking?
Don’t just rely on a smartphone app to know where you are. You need a paper map too. All the hike guides on this site include a printable topo map. Thanks to Ken T and Doc H for the photo!
What are hiking pants?
Trekking pants are designed for hiking. They are comfortable, breathable, waterproof and adjustable so you can fasten them in place. Some even zip-off into shorts which is great for when the sun comes out. They are not however, essential unless you are going on a big hike or a multi day hike. Other regular day to day pants may do. I have hiked in my Levi jeans (autumn/winter) and denim shorts (Spring/summer).
How do trekking poles work?
Trekking poles work by helping spread your body weight over the ground. They also come in useful for fighting off bears. Trekking poles are great for rugged mountain terrain and also come in really handy for multi-day hikes and when you are carrying a heavy load.
Do you need a compass to go hiking?
Do you need a compass to go hiking? Well maybe but maybe not. It largely depends on where you are going. If you’re headed into the wilderness where you can get lost, then sure!
Is a MC5 T-shirt good for hiking?
Like with the pants, these are breathable and so reduce sweating. They are definitely not essential for beginner, day hikes but note that wearing your tight -fitting, cotton MC5 T-shirt is defo not a good idea.
Can you hike without a backpack?
Never hike without a backpack. Even for short-hikes, you will still need to pack some stuff and a backpack is the most practical & comfortable way to carry it. Do not dream of bringing a satchel, side-bag or a hand-pack. My friend actually did this last year and carrying all the weight on one side of his body, ruined the hike for him and therefore for me!
Do you need water for a hike?
Water – You absolutely need water. I cannot tell you how much you need as it depends on the hike, the conditions and you. If you can, try to find out if there is anywhere you can fill up on water during the hike. That way, you won’t need to carry as much.
Brushing up on your skills
Hiking is an exhilarating way to stretch your legs and give your whole body a deep and thorough workout. Not only is hiking an excellent cardio routine, but it also gives your precious lungs some exercise as well.
North, south, east, or west?
Once you have answered those questions, the next step is to decide on where you’d like to make your maiden voyage. Knowing the terrain of the location you’d like to hike is another key piece of the puzzle. With this information, you’ll be able to look further into that location, starting with the trails.
Walk it off
If you’ve come this far, that means that you’ve answered all the previous questions, you know your age (or at least we hope so!), are comfortable with your knowledge, have measured and weighed physical condition (in more ways than one), and have packed all the necessary items we’ve discussed.
When can I start hiking longer distances?
You could start increasing your hiking distances almost immediately. If you feel good about the short hike you just went on perhaps try adding 1 mile to your next hike. Keep adding a short amount of distance to each hike until you feel you have reached the length you feel happy with. Remember, hiking isn’t about walking as far as possible. If you would rather do multiple shorter hikes over the course of a week rather than one long one, that’s completely fine. Hiking does not need to be competitive, do what you feel comfortable with.
How to find your hiking range?
The best way to find your limit is to see how far you can walk comfortably around town. If you find yourself starting to get quite tired and sore after a 2-3 mile walk through town, you will want to stick to a short hike. Hiking is more strenuous than walking so if you find your limit when walking and then divide that by two you will have a decent estimate of your optimal hiking range. For example, if you find yourself starting to become very tired after a 10-mile walk then 5 miles of hiking is the best range for you. You can gradually increase your range each time eventually going on to do longer hikes, even multi-day ones should you wish.
How to measure distance hike?
If you are new to hiking you may be unsure how to measure your distances. There are a few ways. You can use a smartwatch/pedometer to keep track of your distance walked. You can also use trail markers while hiking to gauge how far you have gone. One of the traps beginners get caught by is setting out on a “5-mile hike” but it is a 5-mile hike each way. Many trail markers will explain the total distance there and back, or if it is part of a circuit. But they occasionally won’t. Additionally, you may not feel comfortable doing the entire hike and only wish to do part of it. This is why having a pedometer with you can be so beneficial. If you set yourself a goal of 5 miles when your pedometer says 2.5 miles walked you know it is time to turn back.
Why is hiking so far so hard?
Hiking too far is hard work when you start to get too tired an injury could be just around the corner. Pushing your muscles too hard can cause strains and aches that can take weeks or months to recover from. You need to give your muscles time to adjust to this new way of working. Additionally, the more tired you are the more likely you are to slip and fall. This could be as minor as some mild bruising or as severe as broken bones.
Can you burn yourself out hiking?
After all, if someone made you ride a bike until your feet had blisters would you want to jump back on a bike the next week? Probably not. Slow and steady wins the race applies wonderfully to hiking.
Can hiking make you sick?
Pushing yourself too hard when you are new to hiking and might not have the highest level of fitness can genuinely make you ill. Exhausting yourself can make you more susceptible to illness and injury. Besides, exhaustion and dehydration from hiking further than you were prepared for is an illness all on its own. It takes time for our bodies to adjust to this new form of exercise. It may look like “just walking” but it is so much more than that. Respect your body’s limits and increase your hiking distances over time for the best results.
How many miles should I hike for my first hike?
New hikers should go on several day hikes with differing weights on their back to prepare for their first hiking trip. I would recommend a 5-mile hike over relatively flat terrain, with moderate elevation change, to prepare for a first hiking trip.
How many miles should I hike in a day?
However, there are many factors which may cause you to go slower and hike less. I would recommend that a beginner try to hike no more than 10 to 12 miles per day during his/her first hiking trip. If this not a problem, you can reconsider your next hiking trip and push yourself a little harder and farther.
Why Are You Hiking?
A final consideration for a beginning hiker on his or her first hiking trip should be the “Why” – why is he/she going on this hike?
How many calories do you burn hiking?
Even a moderate one-hour hike can burn 400 calories – so if your body can handle such activity, you can hike!
How much weight should I carry on a hike?
On average, over the course of a multi-day hike, a beginning hiker with average gear can expect to start with about 30 pounds on his or her back.
How long does it take to hike 3 miles?
Naismith’s Rule – named after a mountaineer from Scotland – suggests that the average hiker will hike 3 miles an hour over flat terrain, but should add about 1 hour to his hike for every 2000-ft climb. As such, a 12-mile hike with 4000 feet of elevation gain should take about 6 hours to hike.
What factors affect elevation gain?
Of course, other variables, such as your fitness level, the weight of your pack, and the terrain among other will impact this calculation. There are plenty of resources, such as maps and apps like AllTrails that can give you accurate information about elevation gain for your chosen hike.
