Hiking for Beginners: A Complete Guide to Getting Started

Ok, so you’ve decided you might want to start hiking. But you don’t know where to start or what to do. I have created this guide about hiking for beginners that will tell you everything you need to know to start hiking including what gear/equipment you need (not much!), how to pick a hike, how to go to the bathroom, and all the other important details.

Spoiler alert: Hiking is just walking outside.
Don’t overthink it.

If you are new to hiking, camping, and backpacking and need help about how to begin, check out my guides:

Additionally, for a list of the gear I personally use and have relied on for 7+ years, check out my Backpacking Gear List.

Getting Started: Essential Gear and Clothing
Selecting the Right Trail
Trail Navigation and Basic Hiking Skills
Safety: Hiking Precautions and Preparation
Hiking Etiquette and Leave No Trace Principles
Hiking Nutrition and Hydration
Overcoming Common Hiking Challenges
Types of Hiking
Frequently Asked Questions
Additional Hiking Resources

Getting Started: Essential Gear and Clothing

To go hiking, you don’t need to bring tons of stuff, you don’t need to be super prepared, and you don’t need to overthink it. You are just going for a walk. Of course, the type of clothing you will bring will depend on the weather.

For an entire post containing details and things to consider about the gear you need to go hiking, read Best Day Hiking Checklist: Simple, No Nonsense.

If you are going for a day hike (meaning you only hike for a day, and will return home/ not sleep outside), you really don’t need to bring very much.

Here is the simple day hiking checklist- the (actual) essentials to bring one every hike:

Clothing: wear athletic clothing, such as running shorts, yoga pants, and an athletic shirt
Shoes: trail running shoes, athletic shoes, or hiking boots
Small backpack (with waist belt)
Extra layers for weather: sun (hat), cold (hat, mittens), rain, etc.
Hiking poles (if necessary)
Water bottle
Snacks
Sunblock
Sunglasses
Bug spray
Pee cloth/ toilet paper
Headlight (if necessary, just in case)

camping hiking for beginners trail sign state park

Selecting the Right Trail

Finding the right trail is arguably the most important aspect of hiking for beginners. You want to find a trail that is suitable for both your experience level and fitness level. To find hiking trails, you can search the internet for “best easy hikes near me” and they should come up.

If you have a general idea of a location near you (or where you want to go), this narrows down your search. A lot of trails in the US (and other countries) are located in National or State parks. To find trails and all of the details about how to visit them, go to the park’s website. These websites include all information about the hike, including how to get there, how long it is, the elevation gain and loss, and any notable characteristics.

For most day hikes, you will not need any permits, reservations, or need to pay any fees.

To read a complete guide to selecting the right trail, read Choosing a Hiking Trail for Beginners: 8 Easy Steps.

To find the perfect hiking trail for beginners, choose a trail that is:

Easy, popular, and well-marked
Less than 6 miles/10 km long (total hiking distance)
Less than 1000 feet (300 m) elevation gain during the entire hike
Gradual elevation gain (rather than having a really steep section)
Less than 5 hours to complete

The most important aspect of choosing a hiking trail for beginners is elevation gain (ascent). As a personal rule for myself, I try to avoid hikes with more than 1000 feet of elevation gain in a single mile. Meaning, if all the gain is in one section of the hike, that will be a pretty tough section. However, if that gain is spread over a few miles, the climb is easier and more enjoyable.

My biggest tip for hiking for beginners is to choose a hike with a gradual elevation profile that does not exceed 1000 feet of gain– certainly per mile, but for the whole hike while you’re starting out. To rephrase, if you’re in decent physical shape, you could do a beginner hike that has 2000 feet of elevation gain spread out over 4 miles. OR stick to a hike that has 1000 feet of gain TOTAL for the entire hike. Up to you.

Trail Navigation and Basic Hiking Skills

If you have selected a relatively short, easy, and popular trail to hike, chances are you don’t have to worry about getting lost in the woods or eaten by a bear. These hikes are nearly impossible to get lost on because of how well-marked and well-traveled they are. As you gain experience and start doing longer hikes, you will want to make sure you keep yourself safe, especially if there aren’t many people around.

Look at the map: Familiarize yourself with the trail map and route before starting your hike. Note key landmarks, intersections, and points of interest along the way. This can be found on the hike’s page on the park’s website, or a hiking app. Some apps that are good for hiking that I personally use are:

AllTrails: AllTrails offers a vast database of trails worldwide, with detailed trail maps, reviews, photos, and user-contributed recordings. It also allows users to track their hikes, download offline maps, and discover new trails based on location, difficulty, and other filters.

Gaia GPS: Gaia GPS is a powerful mapping and navigation app that provides topographic maps, route planning tools, and GPS tracking capabilities. It offers detailed maps for hiking, backpacking, and off-road driving, as well as features like waypoint marking, trip recording, and offline map downloads.

Trail markers: While you are hiking, keep an eye out for trail markers, which may include signs, blazes (colored marks on trees), cairns (stacked rocks), or trail posts. Follow these markers to stay on the designated trail.

Check your progress: Periodically check your map and compare it to your surroundings to track your progress along the trail. Look for distinctive features such as terrain changes, water sources, or prominent landmarks to confirm your location.

Stay aware of your surroundings: Pay attention to natural features like mountains, rivers, or valleys, which can serve as reference points for navigation. Take mental snapshots (and take photos!) of your surroundings to aid in retracing your steps if needed (and for the memories!).

Stay on the trail: Avoid veering off the marked trail to minimize the risk of getting lost. If you’re unsure of the route, backtrack to the last known marker or point of reference before proceeding.

Safety: Hiking Precautions and Preparation

If you are going for a day hike, meaning, you’re not planning on staying the night (camping), there are only a few safety precautions to take to ensure you have a fun (and safe) experience.

Check the weather: it is critical to check the weather THE DAY OF YOUR HIKE. Weather in the mountains (and other places) can change frequently and quickly. Do you need to plan for full sun? Will you need to bring a coat and wear long pants instead of shorts? Is it supposed to rain? Will the trail be muddy and slippery? Did a storm move in last night and now you need to reschedule?

Bring the right clothing/ gear: are you going to be in full sun for 5 hours? Bring sunblock and a hat and light (long-sleeved) clothing to keep the sun off your back, arms, and legs. Chance of rain? Bring a rain jacket. Make sure to check the weather so you know what to prepare for. For a complete and detailed list, read Best Day Hiking Checklist: Simple, No Nonsense for what you need to bring.

Don’t wear brand new shoes: wearing brand new shoes could give you blisters while hiking, which sucks because then you have to keep wearing them until you get back. This sucks when this happens. Avoid this by wearing your shoes for at least a couple days (or a few hours, or a few miles) before taking them hiking. Wear them long enough to know that they are the sight size, they are comfortable, and they don’t give you blisters.

Know the food and water situation: Are there restaurants near the trailhead? Will you have to pack a lunch or just some snacks? Is there anywhere to refill your water bottle along the trail? Will you need to bring a water purifier? Knowing the food and water situation of every hike will ensure you don’t end up in a miserable situation (dying of thirst). The duration and difficulty of the hike plays a role in this as well. Always leave some extra water in your car for when you get back!

Let someone know where you will be: Tell someone where you are going and when you should be back. In the unlikely event of an emergency, they will be able to alert the authorities and have a search and rescue team sent out. This is super unlikely, but it’s always good to have someone know where you are.

Don’t approach wildlife: You might see some squirrels, deer, marmots, or even big horned sheep, bears, or other cool animals! Look but don’t touch. Don’t even try to touch them. While the vast majority of wild animals want nothing to do with humans, and will be afraid if you move too closely or too quickly, some could feel threatened and try to defend themselves. You also might not know if they have their babies around (making them even more aggressive), or if they are having a bad day and have a short temper. It’s kind of like people- you never know who is nice and friendly and who is batshit insane.

No one feels bad for anyone who was attacked by a wild animal because they wanted to pet it.

First Aid Kits: Here’s a wildly unpopular opinion- a first aid kit is not essential for a day hike. I have been hiking, camping, and backpacking for many years now, and the number of times I have used my first aid kit is nearly zero. The times I have used it was to deal with blisters. You do not need to bring blood clotting agent, 25 meters of gauze, rubber gloves, or a stethoscope on a 4 hour hike. If a real emergency happens, your first aid kit will be as useful as a Phd in Anthropology on an airplane when they ask if there’s a doctor on board.

If you feel you must, bring a few things for blisters, such as bandaids, medical tape, or moleskin.

hiking for beginners trail view lake trees mountains

Hiking Etiquette and Leave No Trace Principles

Since most of the time you will be on trails around other people, there is some etiquette to maintain that helps ensure everyone has a nice time. Most people go out into nature to be in nature, not be around other people. It is really annoying being around others who disturb the peace of nature and are such a nuisance that it detracts from your experience. Do not be that person that ruins someone else’s time.

Yield to others: Uphill hikers generally have the right of way. Step aside and let them pass safely. However, read the situation- if they step aside to let you pass because they need a break to catch their breath, feel free to pass. Also, yield to horses, if present.

Share the trail: Stick to the right of the trail, pass people on the left. If someone is coming up behind you because they are hiking at a faster pace than you, let them pass. This is not a competition. It is not rude to pass people. It is rude to keep people trapped behind you on the trail. Be courteous to fellow hikers, bikers, or equestrians. Move to the side to allow others to pass, and maintain a reasonable distance.

Keep noise levels down: Do not blast music from a speaker!!!!! Respect the tranquility of nature by using headphones. No one wants to hear your music!!!

Stay on designated trails: Stick to established trails to minimize environmental impact and preserve the natural surroundings.

Leave No Trace: Pack out ALL your trash. This includes (used) toilet paper, cigarette (or j) butts, apple cores and orange peels. Do not leave anything behind, even if it is “biodegradable”. Also, if you see litter, pick it up.

Hiking Nutrition and Hydration

For obvious reasons, it’s important to stay hydrated while engaging in physical activity. Drink periodically throughout your hike, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Depending on the duration of the hike and the temperature outside, your water consumption will vary. It is always better to bring more water than you end up drinking. Being severely dehydrated can lead to disorientation and clumsiness, which could lead to serious injury (by falling down the side of a mountain or cracking your head open on a rock or something). You can survive quite a long time without food, but not having water can turn a bad situation into a nightmare. Always make sure you’ve got a solid plan for water.

In terms of food, this is less serious. If you’re only going to be hiking for a day, you don’t need to plan some high performance meal plan. This isn’t the Olympics. However, there are some things to consider when packing food. You want to bring food that is portable, easily eat-able, nutritious, and obviously delicious. I like nuts, dried fruit, whole fruit, and some candy for a lil treat. For a lot more information about how to plan food for hiking, read Best Healthy & Easy Backpacking Meal Ideas – DIY, Vegan.

Overcoming Common Hiking Challenges

Dealing with blisters and foot discomfort

First and foremost, the best solution to blisters is PREVENTION. Make sure you have comfortable shoes that you already know don’t give you blisters. Word from the wise: blisters are less common in trail running shoes than hiking boots! Also make sure you are wearing good socks- wearing the wrong kind of socks can give you blisters or just be uncomfortable. It might take some trial and error to find what works for you. I like smartwool socks because I don’t get blisters and I can wear them for several days without them smelling bad.

If you do get blisters, I have found the best method for covering them is with medical tape. It is stickier than bandaids, so it stays on for much longer. Just tear off a section and stick it on. Depending on how big or painful it is, you might need to do two layers.

Coping with inclement weather and unexpected obstacles

Bad weather can be dangerous, or create dangerous situations. First and foremost, try to avoid hiking in storms. However, if a storm rolls in while you’re on the trail, you will have to endure it. Depending on the severity, you might want to turn around and start walking back. Put on your rain gear or any other layers to make sure you stay warm and dry. Watch your footing and try not to slip and fall. Be aware of your surroundings, such as muddy trails or fallen branches. Read these tips for hiking in the rain to ensure you aren’t miserable.

Whatever the obstacle is, the first question you should ask yourself is to address the situation is regarding your present and continued safety. Is it safe to continue? If continuing along the hike could jeopardize your safety, it isn’t worth it to complete the hike. Because you might get hurt and be unable to complete it anyway!

Strategies for managing fatigue and mental hurdles

Hiking can get hard. And you might sit down on the dirt and want to give up. And you know what, sometimes giving up is ok. But sometimes, you can’t give up, because you’ve got 5 miles to go before you reach your car. One of the great aspects of hiking is learning perseverance. This will undoubtedly be uncomfortable, but there are some ways you can encourage yourself to keep going.

Pace Yourself: Start your hike at a comfortable pace and maintain a steady rhythm to conserve energy and avoid early fatigue. Take regular breaks to rest and hydrate, especially during strenuous sections of the trail.

Practice Proper Rest and Recovery: Listen to your body and take breaks as needed to rest and recover. Use rest stops to stretch your muscles, massage sore areas, and alleviate tension, allowing your body to recover more quickly.

Set realistic goals: Break the hike into smaller, manageable segments and set achievable goals for each section. Celebrate milestones along the way and use them as motivation to keep moving forward, one step at a time. You can also use your candy as rewards lol.

Practice mindfulness: Stay present and focused on the moment by practicing mindfulness techniques such as deep breathing. Pay attention to your surroundings, engage your senses, and appreciate the beauty of nature around you to reduce stress and mental fatigue.

Use distraction techniques: Distract your mind from fatigue and discomfort by listening to music, podcasts, or audiobooks, playing word games or puzzles, or simply engaging in conversation with hiking buddies. I personally like to listen to music about breakups. They usually talk about how hard things are, which is actually relatable to hiking lol.

Take advantage of scenic views: Pause periodically to admire the scenery and take in the breathtaking views along the trail. Use these moments as opportunities to recharge.

Adjust your expectations: Be flexible and willing to adjust your plans based on current conditions, including weather, trail difficulty, and personal energy levels. Don’t hesitate to modify your route or turn back if necessary to ensure a safe and enjoyable hiking experience. When I am straight up not having a good time on a hike, I remind myself that it’s supposed to be fun, so I ask myself what I could do to make it fun. Go slower? Take more breaks? Cut the hike short? The goal is fun, so I try to make it that way.

Know when to rest: Recognize the signs of fatigue, dehydration, and overexertion, and prioritize rest when needed. Listen to your body’s signals and know when it’s time to take a break, refuel, or call it a day to avoid pushing yourself beyond your limits.

hiking for beginners trail sign pacific crest trail pct pnw

Types of Hiking

There are a few different types of hikes, some more suited to hiking for beginners than others. If you want to get into camping but are unsure where to start, read my Camping for Beginners: A Complete Guide to Getting Started.

Day hike: a hike is started and finished on the same day, with no camping overnight. The difficulty of each hike varies, from an hour with no incline, to 9 hours with a steep ascent to a peak. Day hikes are the best hikes for beginners to gain experience.
Multi-day hike: a hiking trip that spans multiple days, typically involving camping or staying overnight at designated shelters or campsites along the trail. It focuses on covering a longer distance than a single-day hike, often requiring hikers to carry overnight gear and supplies. Multi day hikes require more planning and preparation, and are physically harder, so they are less suitable for beginners.
Trekking: multi-day journeys that require camping or staying in remote accommodations along the route. Treks may involve ascending steep slopes, crossing rivers, and navigating through rugged terrain. Trekkers carry essential supplies, equipment, and camping gear in backpacks. Trekking implies a more adventurous and physically demanding experience, with treks frequently taking place in remote wilderness areas or mountainous regions where hikers may encounter more rugged terrain and challenging conditions.
Backpacking: hiking while carrying all necessary gear and supplies in a backpack while exploring remote or wilderness areas. Backpacking encompasses a wide range of activities, including hiking, camping, and trekking. The length of backpacking trips can vary from overnight excursions to multi-day or even multi-week expeditions.
Thru-hike: a long-distance hike that covers an entire trail from one end to the other, typically spanning hundreds or even thousands of miles without interruption. Thru-hiking is often undertaken on well-established long-distance trails, such as the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in the USA. Thru-hikers aim to complete the entire trail in one continuous journey, usually over the course of several weeks or months, carrying all necessary supplies and camping gear with them.
Loop: a hike that starts and finishes in the same place going in a loop. These hikes are enjoyable because you get to see new scenery for the whole hike.
Out and back: a hike where you start and end at the same place, usually to a viewpoint, summit, lake, waterfall, etc.
Summit hike: the main objective is to reach the summit or a peak.
Technical: hikes that require technical ability and equipment. These hikes are only suitable to people who are trained and have experience.
Scramble: hikes that involve aspects of climbing and using both your hands and feet. These are usually over a large field of rocks/boulders with no clear path through.
Mountaineering – the very technical climbing of mountains.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bring it back out with you (in a plastic bag). Yes, all of it. That includes apple cores, banana skins, cigarette butts etc. Nothing should be left, no matter how small it is, even if it’s biodegradable.

For pee, you just squat somewhere. I use a Kula Cloth, which is an antimicrobial pee cloth as a replacement for toilet paper, and I love it! I highly recommend this, as it has made peeing outside so much better! For poop, you dig a hole and bury it. Rather than toilet paper, I use baby wipes, which do not get buried or left- I put them in a plastic bag and carry them back out and dispose of them in a trash can when available. You should never poop closer than 200 feet to a stream or river to avoid contaminating natural water sources.

Depending on fitness levels, beginners should choose hikes that are under 6 miles/ 10 km.

Wear athletic clothing and running shoes and go for a walk in nature! Bring water 🙂

Yes, hiking is good exercise, especially if wearing a backpack and climbing elevation.

The strength to walk over varying terrain and cardiovascular endurance. Both of these can be improved with practice, so don’t let a low level of fitness keep you from starting small and working your way up to longer hikes.

Check out my YouTube videos about various hiking/backpacking trips I have done!