This post is written by our good friend and frequent collaborator Vickie M Lanthier, founder of GirlGoneGood.
There is something incredibly about hiking on our own in the wilderness. In my humble opinion, there’s no better way to feel both free and connected. But oh my, the thought of hiking alone can daunting. It was for me when I started adventuring on my own over twenty years ago, ages before creating GirlGoneGood® Wellness and Wilderness. So how can we crush any apprehension and set ourselves up to have the best experience on the trails?
We do it by adopting safe solo hiking practices. Sounds boring but I bet these tips will be both surprising and incredibly helpful! I like to break it down into three aspects; what we wear, what we pack, and how we act.
What We Wear
No need for fancy hiking clothing, you likely have everything you need to enjoy the outdoors already. While digging around for what to wear on your next hike, keep these key considerations in mind.
Remember the saying “cotton kills”. Cotton soaks up moisture, doesn’t wick, and isn’t breathable. In cooler winter temperatures, this can contribute to hypothermia and/or death. Instead, choose breathable clothing that is synthetic, wool, silk, fleece, and/or down, and dress in layers. Even summer evening temperatures can drop enough to cause issues if you’re stuck outdoors without the right clothing.
You can minimize sweating by adopting the “be bold start cold” mentality. Bring extra warm layers in your day pack to keep yourself warm when you stop to enjoy the views or if the weather changes.
What We Pack
In your day pack, carry the 10 essentials (navigation, nutrition, hydration, sun protection, insulation, illumination, first aid supplies, fire starter, repair kit/tools, emergency shelter, communications). It sounds like a lot but takes surprisingly little space. All my gear, for example, packs down into a hip pack (aka fanny pack) that I wear. For safe solo hikes, keep a whistle attached to your day pack in an easy to access spot (like the shoulder strap).
What I like to carry in addition to the essentials is bear spray, chewable Aspirin, anti-histamines, and a trash bag to pick up any litter on the trails.
In winter and early spring, carry nano or microspikes, gaiters, and poles (for stability and ice/water depth checks).
Tip: Pack a small post hike and car kit as well to enhance your adventures.
How We Act
Consider investing in basic navigation, survival, and first aid skills. Not all trails are created equal, some have great signage while others have none and require navigation tools and knowhow. Some trails will surprise you by having no cell reception in areas you’d assume there should be. Accidents happen in unexpected ways, requiring first aid for yourself, your pet, or others.
Additional tips:
- Always let someone know your trail, route, and ETR.
- Consider carrying an emergency spotter if there is no cell reception.
- Hike in groups, bring your dog, or choose a more popular trail if hiking on your own.
- Catch up to another group of hikers, or abandon the hike if you get an “off” feeling.
- Do not hike with earphones in, or at least hike with one earphone out.
- Do not wander off trail (for safety and conservation reasons).
- Know how and when to use bear spray.
- Never post your location on social media until you’ve left the location.
- Download and know how to use the What3Words app for emergencies
- Give wildlife wide berth by follow the wildlife rule of thumb (hold your arm straight out in from of you with your thumb up and align your thumb with the animal you’re looking at. If your thumb completely covers the animal, in general, you’re at a safe distance. If it doesn’t, create distance until it does.
Stay Over After Your Next Adventure
After a day of solo hiking in Calabogie, there’s no better place to unwind than Somewhere Inn Calabogie. Our boutique hotel offers the perfect balance of comfort and adventure, with beautifully designed rooms, cozy king beds, and a welcoming atmosphere that feels like a home away from home. Soak in a hot bath, relax with a glass from our curated wine selection, or ease tired muscles in the sauna and cold plunge. Whether you’re looking for a quiet retreat or a basecamp for more adventures, Somewhere Inn is the ideal spot to rest, recharge, and wake up ready for another day on the trails. Book your stay here.
