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Original poster

Hiking alone

53 replies

Ijustneedtosleep21 · 16/03/2022 10:48

Hopefully this is the best place for this.

Hiking alone... would you? DH is not keen on me going alone, I'm not overly confident about the idea (anxiety as a lone female in remote places) however I am also 100% I'd rather not do it with DH, baby and toddler in tow. I would probably take the dog for company.

If you hike as a family. Tips would also be helpful.

OP posts:
BogRollBOGOF · 16/03/2022 16:33

@Crazzzycat

I hike alone all the time. I either go to places where there’s lots of people, in which case it’s safety in numbers, or to the hills around my town. They’re so steep that I hardly ever see anyone, plus they’re so inaccessible, that it’d be a really odd place for anyone to hike to, just on the off chance that there’s a lone female they can attack.

I am obviously aware that many attacks are opportunistic, but I like to think the chances are actually smaller when you only see one or two lone hikers, than they would be if you’re walking around a town or city, where you pass loads of people. Thinking about it, I’m not sure I’m aware of any stories of female lone hikers being attacked.

This is my logic.

I'm a bit tight on time to head out to the nearby national park but do a lot of trail running in the rambling countryside on my doorstep.

I worry less in the quiet fields for this reason than on places like the off-road cycle paths.

Running locally, I've built up my routes gradualy, taking maps if I am deliberately exploring. I used to hike "properly" so at one time had decent navigation skills.

Guide books/ websites are good for getting routes, but a map and navigation skills are still needed.

MsWalterMitty · 16/03/2022 17:50

My favourite thing in the world is to be in the mountains on my own!…. The solitude is so good for my soul! I even wild camp on my own.

Make sure you get skilled up and go for it! X

MsWalterMitty · 16/03/2022 17:52

This is a great book for Nav…

Hiking alone
Bideshi · 16/03/2022 17:54

I walk in the Scottish hills by myself or (preferably) with a dog. Download 'What Three Words' on your phone, get the weather forecast before you go, be well shod and clothed and off you go. I generally tell someone roughly where I'm heading though.

Saltyquiche · 16/03/2022 17:56

I do with two dogs. I feel much safer in the countryside then in the city

Original poster
Ijustneedtosleep21 · 16/03/2022 20:10

I think I'll go for it this weekend. I'm not overly fit at the moment due to babies so I'm going to build my distance and my fitness slowly and hopefully at the same time. I'll stick to an area I know. I've downloaded 'All Trails' on my phone which has given me some good ideas.

OP posts:
RIPWalter · 16/03/2022 20:19

I've done loads on my own, in varying weather conditions. Just make sure your navigation skills and equipment are suitable for the worst weather that might be expected on the day you go out.

Oh and I live high up on the side of one of the big Snowdonia mountains, so technically every dog walk is a hike in the mountains for me!

Leftbutcameback · 16/03/2022 21:02

Agree with the what three words app suggestion, and paid version of the OS map app is good. I take a small external battery as it does drain phone battery.

BoodleBug51 · 16/03/2022 21:09

We walked some of the south west coast path today (around 9km), and the variations in weather in the 3 hours was unbelievable. We found a cafe in the back arse of nowhere and I honestly thought I was hallucinating I was so desperate for a mug of tea! I think the main thing is being uber prepared for all eventualities and someone knowing exactly what route you're walking/due back. We were fine on the coast path but came back via roads due to the weather coming in off the sea, and google maps was beyond useless.

We saw loads of single walkers though - and all seemed very cheerful.

Original poster
Ijustneedtosleep21 · 17/03/2022 08:32

Thank you all appreciate the help!

What kit do you recommend?

OP posts:
Bluechinavase · 17/03/2022 08:39

Day rucksack, comfy boots/shoes/ plenty fluids and snacks, waterproof jacket.

I have hiked/walked alone many times. Lots of coastal walks on my own and walking in general on my own.
Have also done some Scottish Munros on my own though I prefer company. It's all about risk assessment. I wouldn't do a risky hill on my own (by that, I mean the likelihood and consequences if I had an accident) but an easy hike on a clear day.

But I do find being on my own with no responsibilities other than to myself incredibly liberating. Enjoy yourself OP. It's my favourite thing

LaChanticleer · 17/03/2022 09:38

I do it all the time. If you’re half way up Helvellyn or Skiddaw, I don’t think you’re going to be attacked.

But I wear a very bright coloured walking jacket, have good grippy boots, carry water a compass and a proper OS map.

I do t do particularly hazardous routes - for example, I take the tourist track up Helvellyn rather than Striding Edge on my own.

I don’t walk in potentially bad weather. I walk from Easter to October.

LaChanticleer · 17/03/2022 09:41

And I never ever rely on my phone. Even with downloaded maps. I take a good old paper map and The appropriate Wainwright book. And I’ve learned how to read a map properly and navigate.

HomeHomeInTheRange · 17/03/2022 09:46

I have no qualms about this at all!

I mean, I wouldn’t head off in Dec or Jan onto the big fells or remote uplands in bad weather, but a popular enough path on a clear day, why ever not?

‘Worry’ and ‘concern’ easily form a gilded cage for women.

Properly waterproof jacket, non slip supportive footwear, water, a snack / packed lunch, know where you are going , and what time dusk falls, and allow a contingency to get back beforehand.

notacooldad · 17/03/2022 09:56

What kit do you recommend?
There’s so many variables! Where you are going, how long you are going, what the conditions are like

For a regular 10 mile in the hills that is not too remote things I include are map, compass hat gloves and buff ( depending on conditions)
Water and snacks and mini first aid kit. There’s always a chap stick and sun cream in my bag and I keep a bit off cash ( if in case I find an outdoor cake fridge!)
I also take a phone battery pack.
I’ve started using walking poles and they are great.
Wish I started using them years ago!

CottonSock · 17/03/2022 10:05

My most important companion is my phone with OS map subscription. Plus spare battery or two. I often take a paper map if I don't know the route.
Otherwise normal stuff like lunch, hat, gloves, pack away coat, face mask, gel, sanitary pad, tissues, sit mat, maybe a torch, cash, plasters.

I always secure my car keys with a clip and then zip away safely.

WorkEvent · 17/03/2022 10:12

I do, I also trail run alone. I wouldn’t go up a mountain on my own but mostly due to a lack of technical expertise rather than thinking I’m at particular risk of being attacked or anything like that. But assuming you’re only going out for a few hours at a time (as you say you have a young family), you’re probably not going to get anywhere truly remote, unless you already live in the middle of nowhere.

As for hiking as a family - decent slings or hiking backpacks for the little ones (I prefer buckle carriers or even a woven wrap over the big hiking rucksack frames), pack light, plenty of water, and bribery snacks for the kids. As long as they are warm, and can be periodically offered a chocolate button, I find they are usually quite content just being carried on your back (mine are 1 and 3). I sometimes take my two out and tandem carry (one on back, on in front) - I can still manage 4/5/6 miles like this although I think they’ll be too heavy soon!

MrsIglesias · 17/03/2022 10:14

Do it. I enjoy the welsh and south West coastal paths because I don't have to think or use a map Grin. Sounds heavenly and def better than with everyone in tow. Enjoy OP!

crackofdoom · 17/03/2022 10:29

notacooldad have you ever found a cake fridge? If so, mind giving us the grid reference? 😆

AnneBrontesaurus · 17/03/2022 10:37

Sorry in advance if I'm missing something but why not go with a walking group if you're not confident?

Have you looked at meetup? In my area there's tons of choice of walking groups on meetup, no obligation to join formally for the majority of groups, walks at different levels. There's not much midweek walking though.

LaChanticleer · 17/03/2022 11:03

I remember my first go at the Fairfield horseshoe. It’s a big fell but not difficult. It was a lovely sunny day so I’d sacked off work (I can sit at my desk when it rains) and thought I’d get away from it all.

Did I heck! It was like the M1 going up to Fairfield! Loads of people. So much so that I adjusted my plans and found a different way down that was less crowded.

MMMarmite · 17/03/2022 11:08

I live in a beautiful rural area. I'm frequently off walking alone. Love the freedom, the peace, the lack of faff. I've never had any problems.

Original poster
Ijustneedtosleep21 · 17/03/2022 11:41

@AnneBrontesaurus

Sorry in advance if I'm missing something but why not go with a walking group if you're not confident?

Have you looked at meetup? In my area there's tons of choice of walking groups on meetup, no obligation to join formally for the majority of groups, walks at different levels. There's not much midweek walking though.

Thank you for the suggestion I hadn't heard of this. I googled walking groups in the area we have our holiday home but couldn't find anything so I will try meet up 😌
OP posts:
notacooldad · 17/03/2022 13:06

notacooldad have you ever found a cake fridge? If so, mind giving us the grid reference? 😆
It's in a secret location 🤣🤣
I will say their Bakewell cake is aaaaaaaamazzzing!!!!

BoodleBug51 · 17/03/2022 16:27

We found a brownie fridge walking near St Agnes in Cornwall.

It made DH's day!!