10 Hiking Tips to Keep You Safe

Hiking is a fabulous family activity and great exercise, but you should remember that it can be dangerous. How dangerous mainly depends on where you are going and how prepared you are.

You need to be prepared for anything that might happen on your hiking trip and follow certain precautions to ensure you have a safe hike.

Follow these 10 hiking tips to keep you safe…

1. Plan Ahead

This is very important and that is why it is the first step… you need to know exactly where you are going. This way you will know what you need to bring, you can do research about the trail and find out what kind of terrain it is. You also need to check the weather at your destination, so that you can pack the right clothes and supplies.

2. Dress Appropriately

Pack rain gear and dress in layers, so you can easily adjust to surrounding temperatures if they change. Also, if you wear the right hiking shoes, it can keep your feet from blistering or getting injured. Do not hike in regular shoes as doing so can increase the chances of you getting a twisted ankle or a lower leg injury.

3. Bring Enough Water

Having enough water is especially important if you are hiking in hot temperatures, so you can avoid heatstroke. If you are planning to go on a hiking trip for more than just a day, it would make more sense to get yourself a purification system because it is less weight to carry.

4. Pack The Right Food

Along with water, you are also going to need enough food. You will start experiencing dizziness, cramps, etc., if you don’t replenish the calories you have lost. So it is a good idea to bring filling snacks like power bars and trail mixes and other foods that are high in protein and calories that aren’t too heavy to carry.

5. Have a First-Aid Kit

Make sure you bring a first-aid kit along, even if it is just a short hike. You never know what could happen and it is always best to better to be over-prepared than not. You could even look online to find out how to make your own first-aid kit to save money.

6. Know How to Start a Fire

Just in case anything happens and you have to camp out, a fire will keep you warm, keep animals away, and could even be a beacon for other people to find you if you’ve gone missing. You could pack waterproof matches and that should work just fine to get a fire started.

7. Don’t Overexert

Take breaks if you need them and if a hike turns out to be more than you thought you could handle, turn back. If you feel like you have an injury, you’re sick or exhausted, address the issue and then return to your car to go home or to the hospital. If you are too far to get home, go back to your base camp.

8. Don’t Leave Your Partner Behind

If you go hiking with someone, never leave them behind. A large number of accidents happen when a hiker’s partner leaves them behind. If one person is tired, take a break and don’t become impatient if he or she can’t continue the hike. Just turn back together and go hiking again tomorrow.

9. Stay On Trail

By staying on the trail, you won’t get lost because you have the trail to follow or lead you back. It is so important to stay in a known area. If an accident were to happen, a search and rescue team can find you quickly and easily. Many injuries happen to hikers when they go off trail.

10. Leave Animals Alone

Wild animals are exactly that… wild! They can and will attack if they feel threatened. Do not try to touch or feed any animals, just leave them alone. If a wild animal is on the trail, it is best to turn around slowly or only go off the trail long enough to avoid the animal.

Hiking is such a wonderful way to get outdoors and enjoy breathtaking scenery. But you definitely need to be prepared for any hike. Follow our 10 hiking tips to keep you safe, and you can be confident that you’re ready for an awesome trip.