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“You want to go hiking by yourself? Isn’t that… scary?”

I get this question a lot. I get it—the idea of heading into the wilderness alone can feel intimidating, especially when you’re used to always having company on the trail. For the longest time, I only hiked with friends because the thought of going solo seemed lonely at best and unsafe at worst.

Then one weekend, my hiking buddy canceled last minute. I had been looking forward to this particular trail all week, and I faced a choice: skip it and stay home, or go alone for the first time.

So I went. And it completely changed how I think about hiking.

The Unexpected Freedom of Solo Hiking

Here’s what surprised me most about that first solo hike: the freedom.

I could start whenever I wanted. Stop whenever I felt like it. Take a 20-minute break to just sit and listen to the birds without feeling like I was holding anyone up. Speed up on the easy sections, slow down on the tough climbs, and move entirely at my own rhythm.

There was no need to make small talk when I wanted to be quiet, no pressure to keep pace with someone faster or slower than me, and no compromising on which trail to take or when to turn around. So it was just me, the path, and complete autonomy over my experience.

That freedom is addictive.

The Silence That’s Actually Loud

One of the biggest misconceptions about solo hiking is that it’s lonely. And yes, there are moments of solitude—but they’re far from empty.

When you hike alone, you notice things you’d miss in conversation. The crunch of leaves underfoot. The rustle of wind through trees. The distant call of a hawk. Your own breathing as you climb. The trail becomes more vivid, more present, because you’re fully engaged with it instead of distracted by chatter.

Therefore, I’ve had some of my clearest thoughts on solo hikes. Problems that seemed overwhelming at home untangle themselves somewhere around mile two. For instance, creative ideas pop up out of nowhere. And sometimes, my mind just goes beautifully, peacefully blank—a rare luxury in our constantly connected world.

Solo hiking isn’t lonely. It’s meditative.

Yes, Safety Matters (Here’s How to Stay Smart)

Let’s address the elephant on the trail: is solo hiking safe?

The honest answer is that it comes with different risks than group hiking, but it’s absolutely manageable if you’re smart about it. Here’s what I do to stay safe:

Tell someone where I’m going. Before every solo hike, I text a friend or family member with the trail name, expected return time, and a “check in with you when I’m back” message.

Stick to popular trails. Especially when starting out, I choose well-trafficked trails during peak hours. You’re rarely truly alone, and it’s reassuring to pass other hikers periodically.

Trust my gut. If something feels off—whether it’s the weather, the trail condition, or just an inexplicable sense of unease—I turn around. No summit is worth ignoring that instinct.

Carry the essentials. I always have a charged phone, extra water, snacks, a basic first aid kit, and a portable charger. I also downloaded offline maps of the area before heading out.

Start small. My first solo hike wasn’t a remote 10-miler. It was a short, popular trail close to town. Building confidence gradually made all the difference.

The Confidence You Didn’t Know You Needed

Here’s the thing nobody tells you about solo hiking: it builds a very specific kind of confidence.

When you navigate a trail by yourself, make decisions independently, push through challenging sections without anyone to lean on, and successfully complete a hike entirely on your own terms—you prove something to yourself. Not in a boastful way, but in a quiet, powerful way that seeps into other areas of your life.

I’ve noticed it off the trail too. That same self-reliance, that same trust in my judgment, that same knowledge that I can handle more than I think I can—it shows up when facing difficult conversations, making big decisions, or tackling challenges that once would have felt impossible.

Solo hiking taught me that I’m capable. And that lesson is worth far more than any view from a summit.

It’s Not for Every Hike (And That’s Fine)

Don’t get me wrong—I still love hiking with friends. There’s something special about shared experiences, inside jokes that develop over miles, and the camaraderie of conquering a tough trail together.

But now I also crave those solo hikes. The ones where I can move at my own pace, think my own thoughts, and reconnect with myself in a way that’s harder to do in company.

You don’t have to choose between solo and group hiking. You can enjoy both for different reasons.

Ready to Try It?

If you’ve been curious about solo hiking but haven’t taken the leap yet, start small. Choose a short, popular trail on a sunny weekend morning. Tell someone where you’re going. Bring your phone and all the essentials. And then just… go.

Pay attention to how it feels to move at your own rhythm. Notice what you hear when you’re not in conversation. See what thoughts surface when it’s just you and the trail.

You might discover, like I did, that hiking alone isn’t lonely at all. It’s one of the most connected experiences you can have—with nature, with yourself, and with what you’re truly capable of.

Have you tried solo hiking? What was your experience like? Or if you haven’t yet, what’s holding you back? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear your thoughts!