Planning a trip where you are going to do some hiking, biking, or trail running?
Before I moved out to Arizona, I had no idea "hiking etiquette" was a thing. I could probably guess at a few but until I started hiking more frequently (shoutout to Camelback Mountain), I really didn't know there were even rules to this stuff! Thankfully, I've learned the ropes since my early days but I'm sure I pissed off one or two people in the first few months of getting out in the wild. Good thing for you is that I'm here to help you avoid the faux-pas so that you can hit the ground running (literally). Here are a few good tips to keep in mind on the trails:
Before I moved out to Arizona, I had no idea "hiking etiquette" was a thing. I could probably guess at a few but until I started hiking more frequently (shoutout to Camelback Mountain), I really didn't know there were even rules to this stuff! Thankfully, I've learned the ropes since my early days but I'm sure I pissed off one or two people in the first few months of getting out in the wild. Good thing for you is that I'm here to help you avoid the faux-pas so that you can hit the ground running (literally). Here are a few good tips to keep in mind on the trails:
- Uphill hikers have the right of way. This one is pretty basic. If you are hiking anywhere with an incline, please be courteous to the hikers on their way up. Some of the time, they will take the open chance for a breather and let you pass them but remember, that's their call. This rule doesn't apply to horses/mules and emergency responders. In those cases, please move aside and let them pass! One thing that most people will tell you and is technically "good hiking etiquette" is that hikers have the right of way over bikers. While that may be true on paper, the trails usually tell a different story. If there is a mountain biker on the trail and they are headed toward you, please move out of the way! This is coming from personal experience and the fact that no one wants to collide with a mountain bike going 30+ mph. Ouch! Responsible mountain bikers will give you a heads up if coming from behind (but not always!) so please be aware of your surroundings and if you see a biker, just step to the side and allow them to pass unless you absolutely can't because technically they are supposed to stop for you.
- Leave no trace. Sounds easy enough but I see people breaking this rule all the time. Leave no trace doesn't just apply to trash (which you should always pack out), it applies to the environment around you as a whole. Don't leave food scraps, even biodegradable scraps can hurt wildlife. Don't mess with cairns (those stacks of rocks you see along trails). Please, please don't leave any type of markings on the rocks, trees, or other parts of nature. Not only is defacing bad etiquette, it's also illegal in many places and can leave you with a hefty fine, jail time, or even public humiliation. (Who remembers the Vanessa Hudgens defacement?)
- Be courteous to fellow hikers. I guess people have different definitions of "courteous" but being friendly on the trails is never a bad thing! Headphones are an awesome thing when hiking with music, I highly recommend them!
- Researching is part of the adventure! Whether you're hitting the more touristy spots or you're going off the beaten path, be prepared to do some research. You might find that a lot of experienced hikers are pretty secretive about their spots... that's because they likely did a lot of research to get there! Don't be discouraged if someone won't give you their insider information. Instead, be prepared to do the leg work yourself; it's totally fulfilling when your hard work pays off and then you'll be the one who gets to keep the "secret!"
- Use common sense. Let's be real, sometimes you're not going to be able to follow all the rules. I can't tell you how many times I've been coming downhill too fast to stop and give the uphill hiker the right of way... and that's okay! At the end of the day, you're going out there to experience something that mother nature intended for us to enjoy so take full advantage. Also, don't forget extra water, sunscreen, and to at least let someone know where you're headed and when you intend to be back. Taking those extra precautions can absolutely save your life!
Most of this probably sounds like common sense but it never hurts to be reminded. If you want extra good karma, pick up trash you find along the way and pack it out. Teamwork makes the dream work!
Happy adventuring,
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