Hiking Tips for Being Prepared
Hiking is an “at your own risk” activity, meaning the hiker assumes all responsibility for their own safety on the trail. With that in mind, these hiking tips for beginners focus on the most important thing you can do is be prepared. Preparation is the key to having a safer and more enjoyable hiking experience, and it is the number one Leave No Trace and Appreciate AZ principle.
Being prepared is the foundation for all other outdoor ethics and something we have worked to make part of our routine, refining it with every trip and hike. There are many things we wish we had known before we started exploring the outdoors, so we have gathered our best beginner hiking tips below. These include gear suggestions and planning considerations that we hope you find helpful.
Table of Contents
1. A Good Pair of Shoes Matters
One of our first and most important hiking tips for beginners is to invest in the right hiking shoes. You do not need the most expensive gear, but a pair of shoes or boots with good traction is essential. When Lauren first started hiking, she wore an old pair of Nikes and ended up falling on a trail because they lacked traction. Her first pair of hiking boots were from Columbia Sportswear, which offered good quality at a fair price. You can also find slightly used boots at the REI Garage Sale for a significantly lower cost.
Everyone’s feet are different. Lauren tried Oboz in the past, but they did not work well for her foot shape and arch. Today, we both love and wear Salomon boots. We recommend visiting REI or a local sporting goods store to have your feet measured and to try on different styles. If available, ask for a footwear expert who can guide you toward the best fit for your needs.
2. Always Bring More Water Than You Think You Need
This is said often, but it cannot be overstated. Bringing enough water is absolutely critical, especially when hiking in the desert. Far too often, we see hikers without any water at all. A good rule of thumb for desert hiking is to bring 0.5 liters of water for every mile you plan to hike. For most of our day hikes, we carry between 2.5 and 3 liters.
We recommend choosing a pack with a built-in hydration reservoir, as it makes drinking on the go much easier. We mainly use Osprey packs, and we both also have a CamelBak as our smallest pack. The CamelBak is a great starter option for new hikers.
We do not rely on water being available at the trailhead. Instead, we fill up at home or bring extra water to fill our reservoirs in the parking lot. On longer hikes, we carry additional water bottles in our side pockets or main compartment. And of course, do not forget your snacks.
3. Ease Your Way Into Hiking and Know Your Limits
You do not have to start with the hardest hike. The best way to get into hiking is to begin with shorter trails that have little to no elevation gain and build your way up. This allows you to get used to walking on uneven terrain, stepping over rocks, and working the smaller muscles that help with balance.
It is equally important to know your limits. You do not have to hike to the top of the mountain every time. Ask yourself if you can make it back on your own. It is always okay to turn around if you need to.
When Lauren first started hiking, she chose shorter trails with small elevation gains of only a few hundred feet. Over time, she worked her way up to trails like Tom’s Thumb and Dobbins Lookout. While those hikes still felt challenging at the time, easing into them made the experience much more enjoyable.
4. Use Navigation
We use AllTrails to find many of the trails we want to hike, and we find it well worth having the paid version, called AllTrails Plus. With the paid version, we download maps for offline use before each hike. This means the map is stored on our phone and we do not need cell service or Wi-Fi to open it in the app. Even without cell service, you can still see your exact location thanks to the GPS in your phone. GPS does not require a cell signal to work.
There are other navigation and map services available as well, but we also carry a Garmin InReach Mini. While we mostly use it for communication, it is also an important safety device. If we ever have an emergency, we can send an SOS message for help immediately. The InReach can connect to a mobile app on your phone so you can see an accurate Garmin map with your location. It has made us feel much more comfortable when hiking in very remote areas.
5. Bring a First Aid Kit
We always carry a first aid kit because you never know what could happen on the trail. Lauren has been stung by a bee while hiking and has cut herself on a cactus. In both situations, the first aid kit made all the difference, and it has been useful in other unexpected moments as well.
There are also additional safety items we bring for those “just in case” situations. Many of them we hope we never have to use, but the wilderness is unpredictable, and being prepared is essential. You can check out the full list of what we always bring here.
6. Understand Trail Etiquette
When hiking, it is important to follow proper trail etiquette to keep the experience safe and enjoyable for everyone.
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Downhill hikers should yield to uphill hikers.
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Runners and hikers yield to equestrians.
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Bicyclists should yield to everyone. (Pro tip: it is often easier to step aside for mountain bikers, so we usually just move to the side.)
Be vocal when trying to pass someone and move to the side when others are passing you. Avoid taking up the entire trail so others can get by easily.
Keep your music at a low volume or use headphones so you do not disturb wildlife or other hikers. Always follow the Leave No Trace principles.
Finally, be friendly and courteous. A simple “Hello” or “Nice day today” goes a long way toward creating a positive trail atmosphere.
7. Check the Weather
We cannot stress this hiking tip enough. The weather can change quickly and sometimes without warning, so it is essential to check the forecast before a hike or any outdoor activity. Be especially mindful of areas that are prone to flash floods.
It is also important to understand the high and low temperatures for the day. In the desert, the difference can be extreme. Be prepared and always make sure you wear sun protection. The heat and direct sun exposure can quickly lead to dehydration, heat rash, and other heat-related issues. You can check out what we wear for sun protection here.
8. Always Be Rattlesnake Aware
This is one of the hiking tips we get asked about most often. Most of the rattlesnake sightings we have had occurred at sunrise and sunset, likely because that is when they hunt. Usually, but not always, rattlesnakes will warn you they are nearby with a loud rattle or a hiss. They do not want to be bothered by humans. While they cannot hear, rattlesnakes can feel vibrations through the ground. We often hike with trekking poles and tap them firmly on the ground so snakes are aware of our presence.
If you see a rattlesnake on the trail, do not attempt to move it and never harass it. Rattlesnakes do not seek to attack humans; we are not their prey. However, they will defend themselves and may release venom when biting. If there is a safe way around the snake, walk around cautiously. If there is not, either wait until the snake moves away or turn back.
9. Other Hiking Tips to Consider: Gym Workouts
Shortly after she started getting into hiking, Lauren began going to Orange Theory. She did not like how out of breath and difficult hiking felt at first. She started with two classes a week and now goes four times a week. The workouts have improved her stamina, increased her muscle strength, and overall helped her become a stronger hiker.
Owen works with a personal trainer four times a week, which has also improved his hiking performance. While working out is not a requirement to start hiking, we have both found it helpful for building endurance, balance, and strength on the trail.
Hiking Gear Essentials
Now that you understand how to best prepare for hiking adventures, check out our Hiking Essentials: Our 10 Must-Have Gear Picks for Every Hike. This blog post is a great resource and covers all the gear we ALWAYS hike with.
To learn more about the the clothes and footwear we use on our hikes and in some of the photos above, click here.
