A Quick How-To Guide to Becoming a More Skilled and Frequent Hiker

Hiking is a great social activity and a way to get fit, though it can be an intimidating hobby for beginners. It's not the easiest exercise, even if you are a moderately experienced hiker, and it can require a breadth of knowledge of the outdoors. But don't let those factors scare you off from this rewarding activity. There are several ways to get started and become skilled in no time. With a few tips and tricks and some helpful information, you'll be on your hiking path.

This tip probably goes without saying, but if you are relatively new to hiking, it’s best to start with beginner trails. Regardless of how in shape you may be, with any new skill, it’s better to start slow and work your way up with time and expertise. As hiking is also outdoors, which comes with many other considerations (wildlife, environmental factors, safety), start with what you know or what is meant for novices. Map out the accessible trails in your area and try all of those before you move to more intermediate hikes.

Go as early as possible, especially during hotter months. During hikes, you will want to maximize sunlight and tolerable temperatures. Leave in the afternoon, and you will risk unbearable heat and exhaustion. If you leave in the evening, you might lose light and put yourself in a dangerous situation if you get lost. Leaving at a reasonable time for you in the mornings means comfortable temperatures and maximum safety.

Even if you don’t listen to true crime, you have undoubtedly heard a story or two about how dangerous the woods can be. Regardless of the time of day, it is always best to go with a hiking buddy if you can. Perhaps you have a friend who is also interested in hiking, and you can make it a regular activity together. If not, and at a minimum, always let someone know where you are going.

It’s essential that you come prepared to meet your bodily needs, including food, lots of water, sunblock, first aid, sunglasses and anything else you specifically need to feel comfortable. Hiking is not a short activity by any stretch, so it’s absolutely necessary to account for any and all things that you could feel, need or experience over the span of a couple of hours.

Leave your high-end sneakers in the closet and pick up a pair of high-quality hiking boots like these from Columbia or Merrell. Selecting hiking boots instead of typical sneakers will allow you to traverse many more diverse kinds of terrain and will last you a while. However, if you are still deciding whether to make quite an investment, any athletic shoes with bottoms that have some grip will work.

Do things the old-school way and pick up a map before heading out on your hike, or if that is not possible, take screenshots of your route. As it is highly likely that you’ll lose cell service at specific points, it’s imperative that you know at what points to turn and what landmarks or signs to look for. Even with service, you’ll need to follow some kind of digital or otherwise map to know how to get to the landmark of your choice, albeit a lookout, waterfall, specific rock or any number of destinations.

Until you’ve reached expert status, it’s always wise to stay where the trail is clearly marked and carved out by hikers before you. Staying on the course means it’s easier to locate you if you get lost; you can ask for help from other hikers along your path and you will mostly avoid run-ins with certain wildlife.

Again, it’s always good to be prepared for worst-case scenarios. Having a handle on first aid basics like cleaning a wound, applying pressure, CPR or even simple stitches can be critical. Additionally, you should inform yourself about the kinds of wildlife in your area and how to deal with them should you encounter them. For example, if there are snakes, mountain lions or any other perceivably “scary” animals, it will be wise to know what to do in those situations.