Common hiking mistakes can turn an enjoyable outdoor adventure into a stressful or even dangerous experience.

Picture yourself lost on a trail, dehydrated, or battling blisters because of poor preparation—these scenarios happen more often than you think.

But don’t worry—avoiding these pitfalls is easier than it seems with the right knowledge, which will empower you to navigate your hiking journey confidently.

In this guide, we’ll uncover 21 common mistakes hikers make and show you exactly how to avoid them for a safer, more enjoyable journey.

Common Hiking Mistakes During Pre-Hike Planning

These common hiking mistakes are often made during the planning and research stages of your upcoming hike, which can usually cause chaos throughout the hike.

 

1: Skipping Research on Trails

So many hikers make the mistake of skipping initial trail research, and they regret it by the time they’re out hiking it.

It’s important to understand the characteristics and conditions of the trail you’ll soon be trekking on. You’ll want to know how difficult it will be, what the weather will be like, and the overall trail conditions. This can help you decide what to wear, what to pack, and what to expect.

Take advantage of all the resources available to you to help you prevent making this dire hiking mistake.

Download and use hiking apps like All Trails and Avenza so that you can remain on the trail at all times. Research guides and look for the trail conditions and difficulty rating. You should also research reviews by other users to see what you should expect when using the trail.

2: Underestimating the Trail Difficulty

Understanding trail difficulty ratings before you go on your hike can be extremely hazardous.

These ratings are put into place for good reasons. They allow you to choose the best hikes based on your skill level. They can also help warn you if dangerous conditions are expected along the route you plan to take.

Reading hiking trail difficulty levels is also very easy to do.

Most of them have three difficulty levels. “Easy” or “beginner” trails are meant for people who are just getting into hiking and have limited experience. ” Moderate” or “difficult” trails are for hikers with experience who are fine with some hills, uneven terrain, and creek crossings. The “rugged” or “hard” trails are usually mountaineering, climbing, or river crossing trails. They are hazardous to those who are inexperienced with such advanced trails.

 

3: Not Checking Weather Conditions

Not checking the weather is one of those common hiking mistakes that could put you in danger of being seriously injured to even being killed.

If you hike on hot and humid days, you can dehydrate more easily and even suffer from heat exhaustion. If you hike on cold days, you could become frostbitten or even get hypothermia. If you hike on days when it might storm, lightning, and severe weather could become an issue for you.

Checking the weather should be common sense for anyone who plans to go outside, whether it’s for a hike or a trip to the supermarket.

Start by checking the weekly forecast up to and on the day of your hike. Install a weather app on your phone and check it when you’re in areas with cellphone data. Make sure you bring the right gear and wear the right clothing for the forecasted weather conditions.

 

4: Failing to Inform Someone of Your Plans

Don’t make the mistake of not telling someone where you will be hiking before you actually go hiking.

It’s important to tell someone where you are going. You could get hurt and not be able to walk or even get lost and stay longer than you had planned. Many things can happen, and if no one knows where you are, you might not make it back. Taking this step will make you feel responsible and prepared for any situation.

It’s easy to tell someone where you’re going to be hiking, so there really is no excuse not to.

You should print out a map of the area you will be hiking in and draw a circle around the trails you’ll be hiking on. You can give the map to someone you trust to be the keeper of where you will be hiking. If you don’t come back on a certain day or time, that person can alert emergency services so that you can be rescued if required.

 

5: Not Starting Early Enough

Don’t make the mistake of starting your hike too late in the day.

It’s easy to get mixed up and start a hike late. It’s not so easy to hurry back from your hike, so you don’t have to do it in the dark. You’ll be more exhausted at the finish of your hike and will likely not be able to hike fast enough to get out.

Try to leave as early as you can so that you can enjoy your entire hike.

When hiking, leave before dawn or right at dawn in most cases. You want to try to utilize as much daylight as possible. Make sure you bring a headlamp and extra batteries with you just in case you don’t make it back before dark.

 

Common Hiking Mistakes During Packing

When it comes to packing and gear you bring with you, try to avoid the following common hiking mistakes so that you can enjoy the entirety of your hike without any hiccups.

 

6: Overpacking or Underpacking

There is such a thing as overpacking, but you could also under pack as a hiker, as well.

You want to make sure you bring enough gear to enjoy a comfortable hike. However, if you bring too much, your pack will be heavy, and it might be painful and uncomfortable. You have to be able to balance it all out and take only what you need.

Try to take the 10 essentials of hiking gear with you on every hike.

This includes food, water, navigation, and fire. It also includes tools, sheltering gear, extra layers, and light. You should make sure you use a backpack that is actually made for hiking and comfort.

 

7: Ignoring Proper Footwear

One of the most common hiking mistakes is improper footwear.

If you don’t wear the right footwear while hiking, you’ll have many problems. The biggest problem will be blisters, which can completely devastate your hiking trip. You might also experience ankle strain and issues or even frostbite if you’re not careful.

Luckily for you, they make shoes and boots specific to seasonal hiking.

Based on the terrain and difficulty of your hiking research, wear hiking shoes or boots. In many cases, a good pair of waterproof hiking boots will be your best option. Make sure you add a good pair of moisture-wicking socks, such as wool socks.

 

8: Forgetting a First Aid Kit

It’s a sad truth that many hikers fail to carry first aid supplies with them.

Nature is unforgiving, and there are no man-made controls in place to protect you from harm. If you get hurt in nature, you need supplies in order to be able to walk away from your injuries. A basic first aid kit made for hiking is one of the most essential pieces of gear you’ll ever carry.

You at least need to carry a small, lightweight first aid kit made for hiking.

This kit should include items that you know how to use. If you don’t know how to use an item, there is no good reason to take it with you; it will be dead weight and nothing more. Bring items that you will commonly or most likely need in the event of an injury on the trail.

 

9: Not Bringing Enough Water

One of the worst common hiking mistakes you can make is not bringing enough water.

Dehydration is a serious illness that impacts hikers every year. It can cause further injury or even the need to be rescued from the trail. Hiking is a strenuous activity, so hydrating more often is required compared to just walking around the block.

And it’s super simple to stay hydrated and prevent dehydration, too.

All you need to do is bring plenty of water with you. You should have enough water to ration it for up to 2-3 days in case something happens and you’re out longer than you want to be. You should also carry a water filter and some electrolyte tablets to help keep you hydrated.

 

10: Skipping Snacks or Proper Nutrition

It doesn’t take a whole lot of hiking for you to lose energy while on the trail.

If you don’t bring the right snacks or food with you when hiking, it could lead to some serious problems. As your energy depletes, you could become dizzy and lose your balance, which could be very dangerous along some higher portions of the trail. Food and snacks will put the needed energy back in you to help you finish your hike without any issues.

You should make sure you pack enough snacks to survive for a few days if you have to.

These snacks should be nutritional and full of fuel to be put back in you. You can take trail bars, gummies, gels, and even meals that don’t require refrigeration. You should try to eat and drink every thirty minutes or so while on the trail to maintain your energy levels.

 

Common Hiking Mistakes on the Trail

A lot of the common hiking mistakes made are made while on the trail.

 

11: Not Staying on the Trail

Getting off the trail means that you are leaving the correct path to take.

If you’re good at navigation and familiar with an area, going off-trail might not be such a bad thing. However, if you’re new to hiking and you don’t understand the hazards of going off-trail, then doing so can result in unfavorable consequences. More danger exists off-trail, and getting lost will be very easy.

You should follow the general rules of remaining on a designated trail at all times, if possible.

Always use some form of navigation, whether it’s an app on your phone, a map and compass, or both, as long as you know how to use them. Try to follow trail markers and watch for junction signs to ensure you stay on the right path. Don’t leave the trail unless it’s absolutely necessary.

 

12: Ignoring Your Pace

Another common hiking mistake is when you ignore your pace on the trail.

Setting a good pace is important when hiking. If you hike too fast, you can get fatigued and even injured. If you hike too slowly, you might not make it back in time to get out of the woods before nightfall.

You want to make sure you set a comfortable and consistent pace when hiking.

Move at a speed that is comfortable but also allows you to enjoy the sights and sounds around you. Try to take a few short breaks between your hikes and stop for a snack or lunch on a longer break. Keep an eye on the time and where you’re at in the hike so that you can make it back out before it gets too late.

 

13: Overestimating Your Endurance

Are you as good at hiking as you think you are?

Overestimation of endurance is a real problem among hikers. You might think you’re tougher than you actually are until you get out in nature’s raw, strenuous environment, and it shows you the real you. If you fail to perform the endurance requirements of the trail, it could be a disaster for you in the end.

You need to make sure you’re in shape to do more strenuous hiking trails.

Start out by hiking shorter and easier trails until you get used to them. Then, you can gradually move to harder trails as you gain endurance and the ability to perform better. You should take the chance to exercise and improve your overall fitness and health, as well.

 

14: Not Using Sun Protection

Even though you’re in the woods, the sun can still get to you and cause damage.

It’s important to protect yourself from the sun any time you go outside on a sunny day. If you’re not too careful, you could get sun poisoning and even a sunburn. You can also get other heat-related injuries, such as heat exhaustion and even dehydration, a lot easier during sunny days.

But protecting yourself from the sun is super simple.

Wear plenty of sunscreen and reapply it after you’re hiking because you’ll sweat a lot of it off. Wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat when necessary. Stay hydrated and rest often on really hot and humid days.

 

15: Disregarding Wildlife Awareness

Don’t make the mistake of not being aware of wildlife when you’re hiking through their domain.

There is dangerous wildlife in almost every hiking situation. Although they can be dangerous to humans, they must still be respected in their own homes, which is the nature you’re hiking through. A negative wildlife encounter can also be completely avoided.

The best way to avoid a negative wildlife encounter is to be fully aware of any dangerous wildlife in the area where you will be hiking.

Bring bear spray with you in areas where bears are present, and consider wearing a bear bell so that they may hear you coming. Watch your step to make sure you don’t step on a snake or come into contact with other potentially hazardous wildlife. If you encounter wildlife, make sure you leave them an escape route, or they might become defensive.

 

16: Failing to Pay Attention to Your Surroundings

One of the biggest causes of death during hiking trips is due to falling off high cliffs.

Major injuries and fatalities that occur while hiking are usually caused by the hiker not paying attention to their surroundings. This especially happens around the edges of high cliffs, around wet areas, and when hikers leave the designated trail. One slightest mistake can end your hiking career, and even your life and those common hiking mistakes can be completely prevented by using common sense.

Prevent these accidents by using common sense when hiking on the trail.

When hiking in nature, you should always stay alert and limit your distractions. You should also always watch your step and spot potential hazards before you encounter them. Finally, you should play it safe and make mature and responsible decisions.

 

Common Hiking Mistakes After the Hike

Believe it or not, there are plenty of common hiking mistakes to make after your hike is over, too.

 

17: Not Stretching or Cooling Down

Not stretching or cooling down after you hike can result in issues if you’re not careful.

Hiking is typically a rigorous activity that requires a lot of energy and muscle use. If you don’t take time to take care of yourself after a hike, you may become sore or even injured.

Preventing post-hike soreness and injury is really easy to do, too.

Try to spend 5 to 10 minutes after your hike stretching key muscle groups that you used while on the trail. Rest and take a break for a while, drink water, and rehydrate yourself. After tougher hiking days, take a day or two off from doing more hiking to give your body a rest.

 

18: Leaving Trash Behind

Leaving trash behind is harmful to you, other people, wildlife, and the environment as a whole.

Leaving trash behind is harmful to everything and one of the most irresponsible things a hiker could do. It can significantly damage the environment and the wildlife that depends on the natural habitat. You can also be arrested, fined, and even banned from using the trail.

You should always practice Leave No Trace principles as a hiker.

If you packed it in, you should pack it out. If you find trash that’s not yours, pack it out and leave the trail better than you found it. You should also bury or pack out any waste.

 

19: Ignoring Signs of Overexertion

One of the most common hiking mistakes is overexertion.

This is when you hike too much, carry too much, or overdo things on the trail. It’s easy to overdo things. Many hikers will suffer from this issue at some point in their careers, but it may cause significant problems for some people.

It’s also easy to not do it, too.

You have to know your strengths and abilities as a hiker. You need to know when you need to stop for a break or even abort your hike if you’ve taken on more than you needed to. You need to remember that you’re human and not immune to energy loss and fatigue.

 

20: Not Learning from Mistakes

You’re going to make many common hiking mistakes as a hiker.

It’s easy to make mistakes while hiking. It’s easy to make repeated mistakes and not even realize it until you’ve made them. There is no such thing as a perfect hiker; even the experts make mistakes.

But you can at least learn from your mistakes.

After every hike, take note of what worked and what didn’t work. Reflect on what went wrong and how you can prevent it from going wrong again on future hikes. Start putting change into practice immediately so that you can make it habitual.

 

21: Skipping Trail Etiquette

One of the worst and most common hiking mistakes that are easy to make has to do with how you share the trail with others.

Hiking or trail etiquette are the unwritten rules of hiking that allow everyone to share the trail in harmony. When you don’t follow those rules, you make other people’s experiences negative all because you’re selfish. The rules are there so that actual rules don’t need to be created and enforced.

It’s easy to show trail etiquette to other hikers, though!

One of the biggest ways to do it is not to have loud music while you’re hiking the trail, as it only disrupts other hikers’ experiences in nature. You should also Leave No Trace and try not to move natural objects, such as to build unwanted rock stacks or fords in the creek. You must also share the trail no matter if you’re hiking, biking, or riding a horse – the trail belongs to everyone, not just you.

 

Final Thoughts about Common Hiking Mistakes

Now that you know some of the most common hiking mistakes, it’s your turn to start practicing ways to avoid them.

Comment on this blog and tell me what mistakes you’ve made and what you’ve done to avoid making them in the future. I would love to hear your thoughts on these common hiking mistakes.

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