![\"Kristin](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2019\/iceland_female_hiking.jpg\")
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Kristin Addis from Be My Travel Muse<\/a> writes our regular column on solo female travel. It\u2019s an important topic I can\u2019t adequately cover, so I brought in an expert to share her advice for other women travelers to help cover the topics important and specific to them! In this post, she dives into hiking solo!<\/em><\/p>\n I\u2019ll always remember the way that the sun came up over Kawah Ijen volcano on Java, in Indonesia,<\/a> illuminating the green lake in front of me. Smoke rose into the air from the volcano vents, while just Alex, another solo traveler I met halfway up the trail, and I watched as it came up. In the highlight reel of my life, that sunrise will make the cut.<\/p>\n This was at the end of ten months of solo traveling, and now that I think about it, this must have been my first-ever solo hike, which began in the dark, under the stars. <\/p>\n Since then I\u2019ve done numerous trails solo, sometimes in the dark, and some at over 18,000 feet in altitude. I\u2019ve hiked thousands of miles now, much of it as a solo traveler. <\/p>\n I\u2019m often asked: can solo female travelers<\/a> still enjoy hiking and backpacking? Let\u2019s dive in to the factors that determine the answer. <\/p>\n Was she insane to do this? Can hiking alone ever really be safe? <\/p>\n Like solo traveling, some people will argue that hiking alone is never safe, no matter what. As someone who does it all the time, I have a different take on it. I find it empowering, incredibly peaceful, and one of the best ways to get closer to myself. I get to push out all the noise and clutter and just be one with nature. That said, you have to take precautions to make yourself safer. <\/p>\n Let\u2019s start with those important steps before we move on:<\/p>\n You can gain knowledge and confidence quickly. Less than a year after that first solo hike, I went on the Annapurna Circuit and Sanctuary treks in Nepal,<\/a> at a combined 14 days; a couple years later, I solo-backpacked the Santa Cruz Trek in Peru.<\/a> Both are high-altitude hikes and required a lot of stamina. I worked up to these \u2014 and you can too. But first, start smaller, and go with other people while you learn the ropes. <\/p>\n For me it\u2019s a bonus if I can meet people along the way, which I always do. It\u2019s so much fun! Even though I boarded the bus to the start of the Annapurna Circuit on my own, I made a friend on the way, an amazing woman from Belgium,<\/a> and so had a hiking buddy before I even took the first step. The two of us did the entire 14 days together, and even hung out in Kathmandu afterward. We kept meeting people along the way as well, and that\u2019s the beauty of longer hikes like this: you tend to see the same people again and again. The camaraderie is awesome, but if you want, you can also have moments to yourself. <\/p>\n I only have these skills because I backpacked with someone who taught me everything before I ever set off on my own. I believe it\u2019s imperative that you learn from someone who has the skills before backpacking solo. If nothing else, it will help with your confidence and knowledge of wilderness safety. You\u2019ll get a better sense of how to pack and how to pace yourself, too.<\/p>\n You have to know what you\u2019re getting into, so do your research first, but most importantly, talk to people on the ground and understand what the trail is like right now. Check the weather, and make sure that your gear will keep you warm enough. Other steps include the following:<\/p>\n On the first day, a solo hiker asked if he could join our group and we said of course. I understand why he didn\u2019t want to do it solo: it\u2019s a technical hike, and even though I\u2019ve done hundreds of miles solo now, I would still not attempt that hike alone. I wouldn\u2019t go into foggy conditions, heavy winds, or difficult-to-navigate trails solo either. Technical trails are best done in groups, or with a guide. Know your limits. <\/p>\n I\u2019ve experienced rough weather on nearly every trail I\u2019ve done, and there have been moments of heaven and moments of hell. It\u2019s always worth it to be so close to nature and to see the things that only your feet can carry you to, but you have to be ready for the tough stuff. It\u2019s going to be hard sometimes, and that\u2019s kind of the point, right?<\/p>\n You have to stay positive. As soon as you start to doubt yourself, it\u2019s going to get worlds harder. <\/p>\n If you can\u2019t train by doing short hikes around where you live, put your backpack on with weight in it and get on the stair climber. I know you\u2019re going to look weird in the gym, but the gym is for training, so who cares, right? Do endurance exercises like Pilates, and don\u2019t wait until the last minute to get ready. The more prepared you feel, the easier it\u2019s going to be.<\/p>\n If you are in the US, REI has stores across the country with experienced and helpful staff that will help you pick out the perfect equipment for your body. If you are ordering your gear online, I recommend ordering several, testing them out, and sending back the ones that don\u2019t work for you. Make sure the return policy allows this!<\/p>\n Only bring two pairs of clothes (one to sleep in and one to hike in); bring food that you can rehydrate, assuming that you have access to water each evening; and buy lightweight gear that is designed for backpacking. <\/p>\n While I agree that solo hiking is not for everyone, there are many women around the world who have hiked thousands of miles on their own, and for those of us who love it, it\u2019s one of the best experiences in the world. Everyone has to decide for themselves what feels good, but for me, solo traveling is a beautiful high, and hiking solo can take me even higher.<\/p>\n Kristin Addis is a solo female travel expert who inspires women to travel the world in an authentic and adventurous way. A former investment banker who sold all of her belongings and left California in 2012, Kristin has solo traveled the world for over four years, covering every continent (except for Antarctica, but it’s on her list). There\u2019s almost nothing she won\u2019t try and almost nowhere she won\u2019t explore. You can find more of her musings at Be My Travel Muse<\/a> or on Instagram<\/a> and Facebook<\/a>.<\/em> My New York Times<\/em> best-selling book to travel will teach you how to master the art of travel so that you\u2019ll get off save money, always find deals, and have a deeper travel experience. It\u2019s your A to Z planning guide that the BBC called the \u201cbible for budget travelers.\u201d<\/p>\n Click here to learn more and start reading it today!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/p>\n Book Your Flight<\/strong> Book Your Accommodation<\/strong> Don’t Forget Travel Insurance<\/strong> Want to Travel for Free?<\/strong> Need a Rental Car?<\/strong> Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?<\/strong>Can hiking alone ever be considered safe?<\/h3>\n
![\"Kristin](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2019\/montana_female_hiking.jpg\")
\nFor fans of the book Wild<\/a><\/em> by Cheryl Strayed, the idea of striking out alone might sound intriguing but also totally crazy. She had no experience, had overpacked, and was tackling one of the longest through hikes in the world on her own. <\/p>\n\n
Start small<\/h3>\n
![\"a](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2019\/austria_hiking_trail.jpg\")
\nThe trail I referenced in the intro is only a couple of hours long, and I had a lifetime of experience hiking with my family prior to deciding to do it solo. Start small, and go for shorter hikes in the beginning. <\/p>\nPick popular trails <\/h3>\n
![\"Inverie,](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2019\/invernie_hiking.jpg\")
\nI usually hike popular trails. You\u2019re not going to see me heading off into the backcountry alone. I\u2019m not good enough at navigation for that. However, I\u2019m totally confident on a well-marked trail. <\/p>\nLearn the skills from someone first<\/h3>\n
![\"Kristin](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2019\/iceland_female_hiking2.jpg\")
\nI may not know how to navigate very well with a map and compass, but I do know how to combat blisters and pick the right gear. I do have the skills necessary to cook my own food and pitch a tent on my own, and I know what to pack for a backpacking trip (here\u2019s a checklist to help you out<\/a>) so that I\u2019m not overweighted. I don\u2019t let myself get into a situation where I\u2019m unprepared. <\/p>\nUnderstand the trail conditions first<\/h3>\n
![\"mountains](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2019\/annapurna.jpg\")
\nBefore I went out on the Santa Cruz hike in Peru,<\/a> I walked around the nearest town, Huaraz, and got advice from local outfitters. Had there been rangers to speak with, I would have asked them as well. By doing this, I got a good sense of the trail conditions and got reliable maps before I went. <\/p>\n\n
Be prepared and equipped<\/h3>\n
![\"a](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2019\/camp_equipment.jpg\")
\nHaving enough food, staying warm, staying dry, and being able to have constant access to water \u2014 whether you\u2019re carrying it or finding it on the trail \u2014 are all imperative. Most of the time when people run into trouble, it\u2019s because they\u2019ve wandered from the trail, did not adequately prepare foodwise, got too cold, or ran out of water. You can make sure none of those things happen to you by being totally prepared.<\/p>\nKnow your limits \u2014 never hike technical trails solo<\/h3>\n
![\"Kristin](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2019\/patagonia_female_hiking.jpg\")
\nTo date, the Huemul Circuit in Patagonia<\/a> is the hardest trail I\u2019ve ever done. I had to pull myself across two rivers with a pulley and harness, and descend 700 meters over one kilometer \u2014 that\u2019s almost vertical \u2014 without anything to hold on to but the errant stray tree branch. <\/p>\nKnow that it\u2019s largely mental<\/h3>\n
![\"steep](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2019\/steep_hike.jpg\")
\nNow that I\u2019ve been a guide on for backpacking trips<\/a> in Peru, the O Circuit in Patagonia, the Alaskan backcountry, and Iceland,<\/a> I\u2019ve learned that it\u2019s not necessarily the oldest or least fit people who struggle on the trail \u2014 it\u2019s those who don\u2019t train and are not mentally prepared. <\/p>\nTrain for your trip<\/h3>\n
![\"Kristin](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2019\/polynesia_female_hiking.jpg\")
\nEven if you have hiked before, training for your trip is going to be a game-changer. In addition to being mentally prepared, get your body in shape for the challenge ahead.<\/p>\nGet gear that fits you <\/h3>\n
![\"Kristin](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/solodebunk8.jpg\")
\nThe biggest problem that people experience with long-term hikes is blisters. Make sure that your shoes are tight,<\/a> your socks are thick,<\/a> and that everything fits you right. On top of that, buy backpacks<\/a> that you\u2019ve tried on with weight, and make sure you understand how to evenly distribute the weight on your body before you walk out of the store. <\/p>\nMinimize your weight<\/h3>\n
![\"hiking](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2019\/glacier_hike.jpg\")
\nIf you\u2019re hiking solo, that means you are carrying all of the gear. If you\u2019re backpacking, that means you alone are carrying the tent, cooking equipment, and all of the food and water. You need to shave off every gram where possible. I\u2019m always amazed when I see people hiking with jars and hydrated foods like jam and tuna. They must be crazy!<\/p>\nLeave no trace<\/h3>\n
![\"Kristin](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2019\/idaho_female_hiking.jpg\")
\nFinally, the most important thing about hiking in the wilderness, whether with other people or on your own, is to truly leave no trace. Most people know that means not to litter, but there are other important things to understand:<\/p>\n\n
Finally, be open to hiking with others<\/h3>\n
![\"a](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2019\/group-hike.jpg\")
\nEven though I start most of my trails solo, I meet so many cool people along the way that I almost always come out of it with new friends. You don\u2019t have to be nice to and hang out with everyone, but you may find that there are people that you want to hike with. There\u2019s a great community of people out there, so be open to that possibility.<\/p>\n
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\nHow to Travel the World on $75 a Day<\/span><\/h3>
![\"How](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/bookimages\/HowtoTraveltheWorldon75aDay.jpg\")
<\/div>\nBook Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks<\/h4>\n
\nFind a cheap flight by using Skyscanner<\/a>. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned. <\/p>\n
\nYou can book your hostel with Hostelworld<\/a>. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com<\/a> as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels. <\/p>\n
\nTravel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:<\/p>\n\n
\nTravel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation \u2014 all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites<\/a> to get started and see the latest best deals.<\/p>\n
\nDiscover Cars<\/a> is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best \u2014 and cheapest \u2014 rental for your trip!<\/p>\n
\nGet Your Guide<\/a> is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more. <\/p>\n