How to Try Day Hiking as an Absolute Beginner
Without buying specialized gear
So you’re planning a hike for the first time. Or thinking about planning it. Whether you’ve been eyeing local trails for ages or just want to humor a friend, you might not be ready to rack up a big bill at REI to fund your first excursion. Here’s the FAQ list I wish I’d had to get started.
What if I’m not athletic enough?
You don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy hiking. I’ve been the last person picked for the kickball team. But I love to hike.
There are options for every fitness level. The hobby is incredibly flexible. You choose your own pace and distance. It’s OK if you don’t love it. Sometimes we have to try things to know.
Where can I hike?
Here in the northeastern US, I use a combination of Google searching and the AllTrails app to research parks and trails near me. I make sure to check the AllTrails reviews. Recent ones often mention logistical details and current trail conditions. Things like trail closures and how early to get there to find parking are a big help.
Local hiking groups on social media are an excellent resource too. In some groups, people are quick to respond to questions like, “What are the best dog-friendly hikes less than an hour from ABC county?” or “I’m looking for waterfall hikes near XYZ region. Any favorites?”
What’s the difference between a Loop hike and an Out and Back?
Most day hikes can be broken into two categories: loops, and out and back hikes. You will see these terms used on hiking maps and apps.
A loop hike typically does not double back over the same trail. Not most of the route, anyway. It “loops” back to the starting location. Picture a hiking path tracing the shape of an oval. Sometimes it’s more like the letter P.
An out and back hike covers the same distance twice, going out, and coming back. Picture a hike that traverses a straight line, then returns the way it came.
There are so many parks, how do I pick?
It comes down to personal preference and your fitness level. Points of interest and landmarks like a boulder, waterfall, or nice view can be motivating destinations. I like parks with many miles of connected shorter trails, so I can adjust the length of a loop without doubling back. This lets me see more of the park.
Out and back hikes can be easier to navigate, though. For your first trip, look for popular, well-marked routes for the easiest navigation experience.
Be aware that descriptors like “easy,” “moderate,” and “hard” are relative to the region, and won’t mean the same thing everywhere. I’ve seen trails rated as “moderate” or “hard” in flat parts of New Jersey that are just longer than average, with easy terrain. I’ve visited places like the White Mountains of New Hampshire, which are much more rugged. Some of their “easy” trails would be rated “hard” in New Jersey.
How do I navigate?
Many hikers use apps like AllTrails or Gaia as their main source of navigation. These are very useful. I use Gaia, personally. But they have limitations. The map data can be out of date and is not as detailed as a park map. AllTrails has premade routes linking multiple trails together. I like to choose my own route based on points of interest and my fitness level, and the official park map just has more information to help me decide.
If for no reason other than safety, I strongly encourage you to check your park’s website to get the latest map. Print it out if possible so you’re not exclusively relying on a phone battery. My husband and I print extra copies, and always seem to hand at least one out to someone who doesn’t have it.
Sometimes, the Avenza app (or maybe something else in your region) is the only way to get the official map, in which case, use that and make sure your phone is charged.
Park entrances sometimes have paper maps, but in my experience, unmanned entrances rarely have any left.
Sometimes, you may find a map that isn’t useful. It may be outdated, low resolution, or lack important information. A good map gives a sense of the distance, landmarks, and ideally includes contour lines, so you can gauge how steep the trail is. This helps you plan how far you want to go, and identify your location from landmarks you’ve passed.
Are hiking maps free?
For most county and local parks, yes. Check their website. For bigger touristy parks, sometimes buying a current map is your best bet. I always check online first to see if I can get one for free.
How far can I hike in a day? I don’t want to overcommit!
It will depend on several things. To get a point of reference for your personal fitness, use an app like Gaia to track yourself taking a long walk around town. Note the distance and observe how you feel at the end. Could you go further, or do you feel like you need to rest? Consider your max “around town” miles your baseline for paved terrain. Your maximum hiking mileage will be lower.
Hills, both going up and down, make hiking tougher. So does rough terrain (rocks, tree roots, loose or slick surfaces). How much you carry with you will impact this too. For example, for my first time backpacking, I planned to travel half my max mileage to be safe.
Regardless of these factors, listen to your body. If your muscles are screaming, it doesn’t matter if you’ve walked 30 miles or 3 feet, stop and take stock.
What should I wear on a hike?
Dress for the weather, and the physical activity. Things you might wear to the gym are a good place to start. A common piece of advice in the hiking community is “cotton kills,” because it doesn’t provide any insulation when wet. You will get sweaty, and you might get rained on.
Try synthetic moisture-wicking shirts and even underwear if you have it for your base layers. Plan on layering in cold weather, because you will warm up when moving and feel cold when you rest. Choose athletic pants instead of jeans. Some hike in shorts. I prefer thin, breathable athletic pants to protect my legs from poison ivy and bugs.
What is the best hiking footwear?
Hiking boots and trail runners are the best options, but if you’re not looking to spend money on those, wear sturdy sneakers (tennis shoes). If you have more than one pair, newer shoes with better treads on the bottom will help you keep your footing on varied surfaces. Expect at least some mud unless you’re in a dry region. Don’t hike in sandals or flip flops. If you have a choice between converse and regular sneakers or tennis shoes, choose the regular sneakers/tennis shoes.
How do I stay safe on a hike?
Take note of when the sun sets. Set a turnaround time and stick with it to ensure you get back in time.
Tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to be back, and then send them a message afterwards to say you made it. This is especially important in remote areas where you won’t have cell service. (Also, consider the travel time to get into cell service when sharing your ETA. I once worried a family member because it took 20 minutes of driving to get a signal.)
Be mindful of when hunting season occurs in your area. Know how to stay safe before you go. Wear blaze orange to make yourself visible. Some trails close on certain days of the week to allow hunting with no hikers.
Navigation tools are not optional. Do not skip these. A lot of the people who get lost in the woods are unprepared day hikers. Bring navigation.
Bring layers. Even in the summer it gets colder at night. If you get stuck out there, you want to be able to stay warm enough to get through the night.
Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and a flashlight just in case you’re out after dark.
Check the forecast, and always bring something to keep you dry if it rains. Even if it’s not supposed to rain, weather can change. It doesn’t have to be a full on raincoat if you don’t have one. You can use a cheap rain poncho in a pinch. Its purpose is to protect you from hypothermia. Note that on significant mountains, there will be a different forecast for the summit than the starting location, so check both.
Check out these 10 essentials of hiking for a more in-depth list of what to bring.
How should I carry my stuff?
If you’re not going to purchase a backpack specifically for day hiking, look through the bags you have. You want it as comfortable as possible. A pack with chest and hip straps is ideal. These help distribute the weight and position the pack so it stays in place. School backpacks fit the bill better than a drawstring.
What about wildlife?
This scared me more as a beginner than it does now. Look up what’s in your region and learn the safety tips. Organizations like the National Park Service have great resources.
We have black bears in New Jersey. If you encounter a black bear Do. Not. Run. The goal is to avoid looking like a prey animal. Try to look big. Lift your arms. Talk sternly to the bear. Don’t block the bear from leaving. Slowly walk away. Fight back if the bear attacks you, (but the steps listed before this should greatly reduce the likelihood.)
You may have heard to play dead. That’s for grizzly bears, or brown bears, which are significantly bigger. We don’t have those by me, but learn the best practices for those bears before you hike out west.
I can’t say bears have been a frequent issue for me, even though we definitely have them in my home state. I hike with others, and we talk to each other. Bears and other animals tend to steer clear of human noise, so if you’re worried about them, some friendly conversation, or sticking to popular trails can help.
Leave No Trace
The Seven Leave No Trace principles explain how to minimize human impacts on outdoor spaces, so that we keep them in good condition. They also include how to be courteous to others on trail. Give these a read before venturing out.
Hopefully, this has been a helpful starting point to give day hiking a try. There’s no replacement for experiencing something first hand.
