How to Get Out on Your First Hike

You want to get out and hike, but you’re not sure where to start. After all, hitting the trails for the first time can feel both daunting and even overwhelming. I have been there. (I think we all have at one time or another)

Is there a way to find trails? What should you pack for your first hike? With a little help and some simple preparation, however, it doesn’t have to feel this way. So, let’s get you on your way!

Warning, once you start hiking its hard to stop. 🙂

Finding the right hike

For your first hike, keep it short and sweet. Many beginners try to do too much at once—you can always go back for more! Start with a popular trail to make sure you’re not alone.

So how do you find a good hike? I recommend AllTrails to start. You can type in the area you want to hike or simply use a map style search. The list is generally ordered in rank of popularity. You can also use the filters to set parameters on how long you want to hike. Once you have selected a few hikes, look at a few trip reports just to check trail conditions. Don’t overthink it though.

You can also read books like 100 classic hikes in Washigton or even join a local Hiking Facebook Group for ideas or even meet ups!

If you are in Washington, you might like: 9 Incredible Easy Day Hikes Near Seattle – The Trekking Mama

Download a Map

Once you have a hike selected I would recommend downloading the trail on AllTrails. If you dont want to pay for Alltrails Pro to do this, I would simply download a Google Offline Map of the area just so you have the area covered. Since the trail is popular enough and well worn you shouldn’t have a problem if you stick to the trail.

If for any reason you get off trail and are not sure what to do, dont panic. Staying calm will help more than anything in a situation like that.

Check the Weather Forecast

To make it easy on your I would pick a clear day or even an overcast day but with no rain in sight for your first hike. Its a good idea to check the weather in the area that you are hiking, not where you live. Weather can be very different in the mountains.

I use MeteoBlue to check the weather, and I’ve found it to be very reliable. The app allows you to select an exact location or coordinates to get a precise forecast for that spot. Check it out here:https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/week/black-peak_united-states_5787428

Don’t Go Alone

I’m all for solo adventures, but for your first hike, it might be better to bring a someone along! Grab a friend, a family member, or even join a meetup group. Connecting with a local hiking group on Facebook is also a great way to find other beginners to hit the trail with.

Sharing the experience with someone else just makes it more fun—after all, who can argue that a view is even better when it’s shared.

Tell Someone

When you head out hiking, even if for 2 miles its important to let someone know where you are going. I would also add information like when you think you will be back. If you have nobody in the area to tell, you could leave a note on the dashboard of your car for a ranger to see.

What to Bring

As you start hitting those longer, more remote, and less-traveled trails, it’s really important to pack right to keep your adventure safe. If this is your first time, I don’t want to overwhelm you with a huge list of essentials and ‘nice-to-haves.’ For a clear day on a shorter, popular trail, you can keep the list pretty simple!

• Water – Bring more than you think you’ll need! A reusable water bottle or a hydration pack is great.
• Snacks – Easy-to-carry fuel, like granola bars, nuts, or fruit.
• Navigation – A map or an app with offline maps, especially if you’re new to the area.
• Sun Protection – Sunglasses, a hat, and sunscreen.
• First Aid Basics – Band-aids, pain reliever, and any personal medications.
• Phone – Charged and ready, just in case.
• Weather-Appropriate Layers – A lightweight jacket or sweater, and maybe a rain shell if the weather’s iffy. (see the next section on what to wear)

What to Wear

What you wear heavily depends on the time of year and the temperatures. And of course trail conditions. I would leave the sneakers at home in the Spring when trails in the PNW are wet and muddy and grab your trail shoes or boots.

• Comfortable Shoes – Trail runners or sturdy sneakers with good grip will work for most beginner hikes.
• Breathable Top – A moisture-wicking t-shirt or long sleeve (skip cotton if possible; synthetic or merino wool is better for staying dry).
• Layers – Even if it’s warm, pack a light jacket or fleece for changing conditions.
• Bottoms – Stretchy pants, leggings, or shorts, depending on the weather. Just make sure you can move easily.
• When it comes to what you wear you don’t have to look like you stepped out of an outdoor catalogue just think athletic wear.

Conclusion

Bottom line: the most important thing is to have fun, enjoy yourself, and feel excited to get back out there again!

I put this post together to keep it as simple as possible so you can hit the trail without feeling overwhelmed. I know that if I saw miles-long packing lists when I first started, I probably wouldn’t have even tried!

For now, just follow these steps, use good judgement and have a great time getting out on your first hike!

If you’re interested in going a little deeper, check out these other posts—they’ll walk you through next-level packing and prepping!