Hiking alone as a woman

[HeidiHiker]

I'm hiking more than 15 years, both alone, with friends, with Ramblers club. I enjoy all equally. I've done a few navigation courses, can use a map and compass.

There's a couple of routes I like to do alone, approx a four-hour hike - sometimes I meet others and sometimes not. I would only ever do solo hikes in good weather and I know these routes so well at this stage, I've never needed to use my map and compass.

However, a few people have expressed to me how dangerous this is. I do my solo hikes on trails/ tracks and do the more difficult ones when I'm with others. I enjoy these, the peace and quiet.

My question is:
AIBU - stop hiking alone
AINBU - continue these hikes I'm familiar with, alone, continue doing more remote ones with others

I hike alone as does my man. We don’t have the same days off so we go separately. The only fear we have is if one of us falls/trips etc so we are clear where we are going, we text at the start and mid way if signal allows and text at the end. Knowing the route and roughly how long it will take means I know somethings wrong after so long

I would worry about meeting an opportunist man who would take advantage of the isolated location. I know it restricts my life a lot but I don’t trust men.

The people who say not to go on your own are ridiculous. So you're just always supposed to wait for someone to be available are you !? Ffs

I go horse riding alone, just me and the horse. Like you I love the quiet and solitude.

Carry on hiking alone and enjoy it OP !

Why is it particularly dangerous as a woman ?

Hiking alone should be considered carefully - ideally plan your route and let someone know when you leave and return

Given the physical and mental benefits I think it's far less dangerous than staying at home and only doing things when you can go in groups

I think OS locate is also worthwhile having as it gives you an accurate location

Id be less worrrid about an opportunist man in the hills than any where else

Some women are too scared to answer the door or walk to the bus stop in broad daylight. I shouldn't waste any time brooding on it and carry on living independently like most of us do!

If you are comfortable walking alone, continue to do it but let someone know where you are and when you expect to finish the hike. Check in with them when you finish. Ask them that if you haven't checked in by a certain time and they can't get in contact with you they call the emergency services. My DF once went up a mountain on his own and that was what he did; I was to give him until a certain time to phone me or I was to call for help.

The biggest danger is having an accident and no one knowing where you are. This can be mitigated by telling someone you atd going, time expected back etc. You can consider sharing the location of your phone.

An attacker is more likely to chose a more populated place!

I don't see the risk of hiking alone as any different if you're male or female. Go for it! But please make sure someone knows where you're going (exact route) and what time you expect to be back in case you have a slip or fall.

I am not prepared to restrict my life on the truly miniscule chance of a really catastrophic negative event happening. I cycle alone, quite happy to walk alone as well. As you say, I wouldn't try anything particularly technical alone but I am even happy to explore new routes alone as long as they're not going to be in areas with no phone signal.

I suggest you smile and nod and continue to hike as you please. You know what you're doing and take reasonable precautions.

Perhaps try and find some hikers or even trail runners to socialise with - they are generally very supportive of solo activities and might help you feel more 'mainstream'.

I'd continue to hike alone but perhaps download the Hollie guard app.

Sorry, I saw you already hike with a group - my reading comprehension isn't great today!

It sounds as though you're experienced and sensible. Ignore these people and carry on doing what you want.

Urgh, that would annoy me. Why is it dangerous? I’ve only ever met lovely people hiking (alone and with friends). I’m sure you’re at less risk than on a Saturday night out in a city centre. Some people are scared of living.

(I’m assuming you can navigate, have a map, phone, battery pack, waterproofs/plenty of layers and leave a note of your route with someone.)

Hike in Lake District but don't feel happy going up to the tops alone so mainly stick to walking around lakes and more low level .
When out I have felt vulnerable a few times but thankfully nothing has ever happened .

I walk alone everyday across a variety of routes and woodland. I always let someone know where I am and I have a tracker on my phone.

Very, very different. Not many men will approach a horse and even if they try, you can mostly scoot off or use the horse to ram them. Being aware of your personal safety as a woman is hardly ridiculous.

Yes, I believe a prospective attacker is really not going to go to the effort of hiking for hours. I don't know anyone who's been attacked hiking but I know many who've been robbed/ attacked in busy city and town centres.

Yes, I do all of the above.

She has a different opinion to you. What gives you the right to call her an idiot?

Why are people being so obtuse on here. The risk is quite obviously greater as a woman. Op, take a can of deep heat spray in your pocket and have it ready should you feel uneasy with anyones presence.

However, a few people have expressed to me how dangerous this is.

Have they clarified what they think is dangerous about it?

Your biggest threat would surely be getting lost, injured, trapped, etc. But those threats are just as applicable to men as women. Far less likely you're going to encounter marauding Ted Bundy types whilst wandering around the great outdoors.

You're way more at risk being attacked by a man you know. I choose to not live together with a man so I have already reduced my chances.
Go for it OP I find hiking alone so relaxing. You don't have to talk to anyone and can just enjoy nature. Just tell somebody where you're going and what path you're going to take. I also tend to send picture along the way so my family knows approximately where I am.