Women hiking alone

[Teatimes2]

Inspired by another thread, I'd love to hear stories about women who enjoy hiking/ long walks alone. It's something I used to do before I got into running. I was a member of a hiking club at one stage but I found the constant chat and big groups to be draining and would love some inspiration from other women who also prefer doing this alone.

[Negligee]

@timeisnotaline

Do you mean go for a walk? Or several days hiking? Because the latter I will drum into my dc the same safety basics my friends and I always operated with- absolute minimum two people, ideally minimum 3, log your route with someone, pack suitably, etc etc.

I think the OP is asking about both. My reply was certainly about both.

[AuntieMarys]

I try and do at least 2 5-7 mile hikes a week, usually alone. Always with poles to ward off any dogs and cows. I love it.

[twelly]

I have completed three of the long distance walks - all on my own, they were fantastic (all over 70 miles each.) I would do between 12 and 18 miles per day , it was fantastic and I loved it - I hope to do more of these soon. I did not have a problem at all and other than one night when I was decending a hill and it was just beginning to get dark so I was worried about falling I did not have a problem.

[samthebordercollie]

I run mostly alone with my dogs, in the winter in the dark, always on countryside paths. 1,5 hours every day - I listen to podcasts with Trekz Aftershokz which don't block out external noise. I also run with running club friends a couple of times a week, I like doing both!

[dubyalass]

I'd rarely go walking if I only went with others! I have a few good friends who love a walk but I am regularly out on the coast path on my own. I live alone so I text family members to say where I'm going and again when I get back. I do faff around a bit while plucking up the courage to go but that's because I am generally anxious, not because I perceive a threat. I'm more likely to have issues with cows than humans! It keeps me sane. I've not been out for a while as I'm recovering from surgery but I'm almost there and looking forward to completing another section of the coast path!

[MinnieMountain]

My favourite day or weekend away is walking alone.

I often stay in youth hostels as it’s easier to get a single bed (I’m too fussy for shared rooms now).

In July I had a wonderful 4 days in Pembrokeshire. I wore my swimming bikini underneath so I could easily stop for a swim too.

As PP has mentioned, the Peak District is lovely too.

I’ve never felt unsafe due to being a woman.

[notacooldad]

I often hike in the fells, hills and mountains alone.
My advise to anyone that wants to do this that isnt skilled is to learn to read a map and learn how to navigate.
Know what to take with you on hikes.
Dress appropriately and also ha e spares ( gloves torches hats, power pack etc)
Check forecasts
I feel like I'm telling people how to suck eggs but I have been in some remote fells and I e come across people both Male and female inappropriately dressed for the conditions or clueless about how to get back.
Always let someone know your plan and estimated return time and check in when you finish. ( people use mecas a base contact and the forget to tell me they have returned.!)

I hike alone a lot for a few reasons. The main one is that I like it but also I have a lot of free time when Dh or my friends are working.
I loved it one day in the summer I was walking in the Trough of Bowland for nearly 9 hours by myself and didnt see a single person until i got back to my car. It was fabulous and really cleared my mind.

I have also walked alone in Chamonix, The Tatra's and in Norway and Spain I cant wait to get back to walking in different countries.
I'm as old AF now and have often walked by myself since being a teen so around 40 years now!😮
I do like going into the mountains with my family as well.

There was a thread about does your Dh have you on track on his phone. I said no but I keep meaning to. This kind of activity is a possibly a good situation to have track if you are comfortable to do so.

If anyone us nervous about hiking alone my best advise would be to start small and local to get your confidence.

[Janeandjohnny]

@StrongSunglasses

I love walking alone; used to go for really long walks in the woods foraging and exploring and it’s just so relaxing and freeing. You can just roam at will and follow your nose (as it were) and discover some amazing views and places, also feel in tune with nature and experience the seasons/trees changing in an almost meditative way. It’s amazing for clearing the head and I highly recommend!

Sometimes I was looked at suspiciously (re the line woman thread) on the rare occasions I’d bump into others, but generally everyone really friendly. I would have felt slightly less self conscious with a dog tbh, but ultimately it’s such a pleasurable experience that if you get the “weirdo/murderer?” side eye, you just rise above it.

A guy I know said he always got weird looks and people trying to avoid him when walking alone in the woods with no dog, and it sounded like he aroused far more of a negative reaction than I ever did, I guess because he’s a potential threat.

So I think it can affect both sexes.

Bottom line - just gfi!

Im a guy and when I run particularly at night its awful if I meet a female, sometimes Im walking to cool down and really aware of how frightening it might be for some women if I am walking behind particularly in a dark area. (Any suggestions on how to make this easier?) When walking I always feel the same if I encounter a female hiking and Im sad that women should have to feel like this- never know whether to not make eye contact, be super cheery etc... I love walking on my own tho and hiking too. @DillonPanthersTexas post is inspiring too!!

[MilkBread]

I love walking on my own - will go out for at least an hour each day. And then longer walks at the weekends. Dh tracks me - and I track him when he goes out. We also leave details of our routes with each other in case of emergency

[capercaillie]

Also love walking by myself and do so regularly whether that's at home or on holiday in places like Scotland. There was a day in Scotland in the summer when walked up a beautiful remote mountain and didn't see another person all day. I've walked by myself for over 20 years and not felt threatened. It does make me more aware that I need to be self-reliant in skills - have a mountain leadership qualification but the decision making when alone is very different to walking with groups.

[HalfWomanHalfMincePie]

Im a guy and when I run particularly at night its awful if I meet a female, sometimes Im walking to cool down and really aware of how frightening it might be for some women if I am walking behind particularly in a dark area. (Any suggestions on how to make this easier?)

Being very clear not to take an interest helps - e.g. looking the other way, focussing on yourself.

Take some time to wait to allow greater distance between you - if you are behind her - so that she can see you are actively trying to give her space.

I personally find a very quick acknowledgement helps put me at ease. Nothing so much that it looks like I am interesting but nothing so little it looks like they hope I don't see them. e.g. An arm up and a "Hi' before focussing back on something else.

[TheFreaksShallInheritTheEarth]

I go for. 1.5 - 2hr walk alone each day as I have a big dog. I live in a lovely rural area and love this outside alone time. The lovely views are good for the soul, and I appreciate the time and opportunity to think, listen to podcasts and audiobooks, too.

Sometimes DH comes too, but I prefer it alone (not that I tell him that!)

[Janeandjohnny]

@HalfWomanHalfMincePie

Im a guy and when I run particularly at night its awful if I meet a female, sometimes Im walking to cool down and really aware of how frightening it might be for some women if I am walking behind particularly in a dark area. (Any suggestions on how to make this easier?)

Being very clear not to take an interest helps - e.g. looking the other way, focussing on yourself.

Take some time to wait to allow greater distance between you - if you are behind her - so that she can see you are actively trying to give her space.

I personally find a very quick acknowledgement helps put me at ease. Nothing so much that it looks like I am interesting but nothing so little it looks like they hope I don't see them. e.g. An arm up and a "Hi' before focussing back on something else.

@HalfWomanHalfMincePie thank you. I always try to do that - often though if I am running behind someone I will try to make noise as early as I can, like a cough or scuff my feet - trouble is often the woman has airpods in and cant hear me and so gets a fright if I run by. If I slow down and walk it looks like Im stalking. I try to run on the widest section against the crowd if I can.

[ClintBartonsWife]

I live in the Lakss. Hike and fell run alone. Love the peace and quiet!

I highly recommend doing a navigation course. I always tell my husband the details of my route before I go and take plenty of supplies, waterproofs, torch etc. Adventure Smart UK have some good tips on their website.

I've never felt unsafe. I have had random men come up to me to advise me about dangers, such as it being windy etc. Interestingly that never happens when I'm with DH...

[crackofdoom]

I love long solitary walks on Dartmoor, and the SW coast path. I’ve never done a multi day walk yet, though- not sure if I like the idea of carrying all my stuff on my back. Next goal might be North- South across Dartmoor, as there are a couple of youth hostels in the middle 🤔

Would love to hear more about some of the big European walking routes, too- I like the sound of the Via Francigena, from Canterbury to Rome.

[CSJobseeker]

I also hike alone frequently - I love it. Time on my own with my thoughts. I can stop and have a sit down and look at the view whenever I fancy, as I'm not walking to anyone else's timetable.

[CSJobseeker]

@timeisnotaline

Do you mean go for a walk? Or several days hiking? Because the latter I will drum into my dc the same safety basics my friends and I always operated with- absolute minimum two people, ideally minimum 3, log your route with someone, pack suitably, etc etc.

I'm referring to both. Hiking alone over long distances is perfectly safe provided you have suitable kit and experience.

[MinnieMountain]

@crackofdoom popular walking areas sometimes have walkers’ buses. You could find a place in the centre of a bus route and get the bus to/from your walk. Or find a company that does luggage transfers. I don’t like walking with more than a day bag.

[BogRollBOGOF]

I do a lot of solo trail running in solo countryside and occasionally walk it.

For personal safety I feel safer in obscure areas than known slightly quiet places where it would be worth a person loitering with malicious intent.

I love the idea of trying myself somewhere more ambitious but family life and time mean that's not viable in the near future. I know I'm feeling jaded when I long to pack up a backpack and the smallest tent and give in to the call of the mountains

[MMMarmite]

@Janeandjohnny
Personally I wouldn't worry at all about meeting a man running or walking alone. So please don't ruin your own enjoyment by worrying too much!

The only things that would concern me would be:

• deliberately following me, slowing when I slow down, speeding up when I do, towards a more remote area. Obviously sometimes people are just behind you on the trail, this is no problem!
  
• overly personal chat, e.g. sexual comments, asking if I'm single, whether someone knows where I am, etc, unless it is a logical part of a long conversation.

[thelittlestrhino]

@CovidCorvid

I hike alone. I go to the lakes a few times a year and do some big hill walking days. Never felt unsafe as a lone female though I’m aware phone reception isn’t always great and it only takes one slip to have a broken leg, etc. I always carry an emergency shelter, a whistle and think I could wait out a rescue if necessary. I probably ought to be better about telling someone my route.

Snap!!! I could have written every word of this. Love the Lakes.

Yes I go out all of the time on my own. Trips/slips, weather and map reading are my only concerns!

[Janeandjohnny]

Thanks @MMMarmite I just try to get past with no contact. I usually run when its dark after work so often encounter others, its the headphone that freaks me out because I know they cannot hear me.
A few years ago out walking I encountered a lady who was entering the water to take her own life and even then when I went to her I was conscious of this. Only when emergency services came did I feel OK.

[Teatimes2]

Great to read all these stories about solo female hikers! I've done a navigation course previously. I've done a lot of long day hikes with the club, shorter ones myself, but would like to challenge myself to do the longer ones alone now!

[Sammysquiz]

I love walking alone, I usually listen to a podcast or audiobook at the same time. I find the OS app very reassuring to have - I usually work out a route beforehand but useful to have if I get lost or want to extend the walk once I get going.

[IseeScottishhills]

I walk my dog alone, everyday, I live in remote area and often in the dark. I rarely meet anyone. Frankly my main worry is falling and breaking my ankle particularly as the mob signal is often poor.
I love it.