One of the best things about hiking - besides the actual hiking part - is all of the lovely, like-minded people you get to meet along the way. However, to make sure that hiking harmony is maintained, there is a certain etiquette that we must all abide by.
To help you avoid trouble on the trails we’ve put together this list of golden (unwritten) rules for you to follow. Happy hiking!
This should be a no-brainer, but many hikers are guilty of breaking this most sacred rule. As with any activity that takes place outdoors, the only kind of footprint you should be leaving are those created by your hiking boots. That means keeping the trails nice and tidy by picking up any rubbish and taking it with you.
We all have to answer a call of nature from time to time. Unfortunately, public loos are few and far between when you’re halfway up a mountain, so you may have to go ‘al fresco’ (if it’s good enough for bears, it’s… well, you get the idea).
If you do have to go, try and do it a good distance away from the trail. That way there’s no chance of anyone stepping in something they shouldn’t, and you’re less likely to startle a Duke of Edinburgh expedition.
This is a difficult rule to follow as a hiker, as we’re quite an inquisitive bunch. However, trails are there for a reason and we should try and stick to them. The main rationale for this is that you don’t want to disturb any native plants or wildlife that can be found off the beaten track.
Also, if you end up getting lost then a Mountain Rescue Team has to be deployed to try and find you - which, as you can imagine, is quite an inconvenience. And no one wants to be THAT guy.
From GPS gizmos to fancy flashlights, there are lots of must-have pieces of outdoor tech out there. And that’s great. As long as it doesn’t interfere with other hikers.
There’s nothing worse than a selfish selfie-taker holding up other hikers while they get that perfect snap to use for their Facebook profile picture.
When you’re out on the trails you meet all kinds of people, taking part in all kinds of outdoor activities. When it comes to who should give way to who, there’s a natural pecking order that needs to be followed. It goes like this:
Stick to this rule and you’ll avoid getting a hoof to the head.
Many of us have a favourite hiking playlists that we enjoy listening to as we walk. However, for some, hiking is a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle and enjoy a little trail tranquility. So try and keep noise levels to a minimum.
And, whatever you do, never have one of those loud mobile phone conversations during a hike. Your fellow hikers really aren’t interested in what you’re having for dinner tonight.
In general, going up is a lot harder than coming down. So if you bump into any uphill strugglers on your descent down a steep trail, always allow them to pass first.
There may be occasions where those who are going uphill will be glad of a rest, and will make way for you. If that’s the case, always be sure to thank them.
Our final unwritten rule of hiking is the easiest one to follow, and can be summed up in just two words:
Be nice.
This is a green and pleasant land, so let’s keep it that way by being pleasant to each other. That means greeting your fellow hikers with a friendly “hello” as you pass. It’s not hard, and a little politeness can go a long way.
So there you have it - follow these simple rules and you’ll avoid hacking off your fellow hiker. Have we missed anything? What unwritten rules do you follow when out on the trails? We’d love to hear them.
The internet has given us a number of different ways to amuse ourselves – no matter what our favourite hobby may be. Hiking enthusiasts will not be disappointed when searching for ways to express their love of hiking and humour online, and here are twenty of the best. Bear in mind that these are all […]
It’s become a bit of a tradition here at Winfields Outdoors that at the start of each year we round up some of the best outdoor bloggers on the internet. We did it in 2016 and 2017 and now we’re doing it for 2018 as well. The reason we do this is because there is a […]
Blisters are the bane of all walkers, whether you’re on a long hiking expedition or strolling around town. They can cause great pain, regardless of which footwear you have on, and can put some people off wearing them repeatedly or for long periods of time. Although hiking and walking boots are designed to limit wear […]
3 Comments