Hiking alone can be an empowering experience for women, allowing them to connect with nature and find peace and confidence on the trails. Unfortunately, solo hiking for women also involves thoughtful consideration for your personal safety.
This guide explores practical safety tips designed specifically for women hiking alone, including safety devices and equipment to carry so you can fully enjoy your adventure with peace of mind.
Here are my tips on how to stay safe while hiking alone as a woman.
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Benefits of Solo Hiking for Women
If hiking alone sounds scary to you, I understand. Not only do women have to consider the risks of being in nature, we also can feel vulnerable around other hikers, particularly male hikers (more on this in the next section). That being said, solo hiking has a significant number of benefits for women.
There are a million lists of the benefits of hiking alone for women online, so I will focus on the benefits I have personally experienced.
- Increased confidence and sense of empowerment
- Improved mental health
- Relief from symptoms of stress and burnout
- Increased autonomy and choice by choosing my pace, location, distance, etc.
- Greater sense of being grounded
- Improved problem solving skills
- A stronger connection to the world and something bigger than me
Essential Safety Tips for Hiking Alone for Women
First, you may be thinking that it is unfair that women have to consider these risks and take special precautions when hiking. I agree, wholeheartedly. And, at the same time, I believe that solo time in nature is important, so I want women to feel safe and confident when they are on the trail. I believe both can be true at the same time.
Before deciding which personal safety devices to carry for your next solo hike, be sure to follow these essential safety tips.
- Tell someone where you are going and when you are expected to return.
- Bring the 10 essentials, even on a day hike close to home.
- Maintain awareness of your surroundings. I personally do not recommend hiking with headphones on as it prevents you from hearing wildlife, weather, people and other elements of your surroundings.
- Make note of landmarks and other hikers or people you see on the trail.
- Know how to signal for help.
- Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right, listen to your body and mind.
Looking for more outdoor safety tips? Find more information here.
Pro Tip: While hiking in well-trafficked areas and during the day can sometimes feel safer, there are still risks. Unfortunately, two women were recently assaulted at a very popular park (Lebanon Hills) in the Twin Cities in the middle of the day (on two separate occasions). Be sure to practice these safety tips and carry safety devices even in popular parks and trails.
Best Safety Devices for Female Solo Hikers
We should all be able to enjoy the beauty of nature without the fear of jeopardizing our personal safety. However, it is natural to have fear or hesitation about being alone in nature. One solution would be to stay indoors, but that means you aren’t enjoying all the benefits nature has to offer. So, here are some of the best safety devices women can carry while hiking alone so that you can confidently enjoy your time outdoors.
Personal Alarm
These small lightweight devices emit a loud sound when activated. This high-decibel sound draws attention to the situation and potentially deters threats (particularly human ones). Personal alarms are easy to carry on either a keychain or backpack.
Look for products like She’s Birdie or Vantamo on Amazon, both are highly rated by thousands of people.
Pro Tip: Be sure that you keep the personal alarm easily accessible while you are hiking. I recommend clipping it to one of the strap of a backpack, bag, or belt loop.
Pepper Spray or Gel
Often in a small handheld spray bottle, both pepper spray and gel are great options to deter both humans and animals. Pepper gel is a thicker substance that can spray a more focused stream at a target further away (up to 18 feet), without the risk of blowback. However, it does require precision when spraying at the target. Alternatively, pepper spray can be used in the general direction of the target, but does have the risk of blowback.
This pepper spray has a flip top to prevent accidental discharge but also include a seat belt cutter and window breaker, offering additional layers of protection. Here’s an alternative that uses pepper gel instead.
Pro Tip: Make sure that pepper spray products are legal to carry where you will be hiking. Here’s a guide that explains which pepper spray products are legal in each of the US states. Also, 4oz containers of pepper spray are allowed through TSA but must be in checked baggage with a safety lock to prevent accidental discharge.
On a related note, bear spray is essentially a super potent version of pepper spray and comes in larger containers. Read more about bear safety here.
Whistle
Much like a personal alarm, a whistle is a simple and powerful way to signal distress and raise attention to your situation. Again, be sure to carry a whistle where it is easily accessible while you are hiking, such as on the straps of your backpack. I have used a carabiner to attach a whistle to the front of my backpack straps while hiking.
Pro Tip: Some hiking brands, like Osprey, often include a built-in whistle in the chest strap on their backpacks!
Pocket Knife
A pocket knife is another great option for women to carry while hiking alone. I prefer a folding knife that easily flips open with a simple motion. I keep a knife clipped to my waist and/ or in the hip belt on my backpack. Plus, it’s helpful to have for a number of other purposes while camping and hiking (like cutting tape or bandages). This is the type of knife I carry while hiking alone as a woman.
A multipurpose tool is an alternative to a pocket knife, but I don’t prefer to carry one. The reason is that multipurpose tools often are more difficult to open and, in the event of an emergency or threat, I want to be able to quickly and easily access the blade to protect myself. Here’s a multipurpose tool similar to the one I have and use primarily when camping. I prefer the butterfly-style opening mechanism and lifetime warranty.
GPS Device or Satellite Messenger
GPS devices like the Garmin InReach are great for areas with little or no cell phone service because they operate based on satellite signals. They can send location-based SOS signals and messages to loved ones and track your movements in real time. These are great for situations where you’d like a loved one to be able to track your progress on a hike and send messages along the way. However, their functionality can be impacted by visibility and terrain.
Because these essentially provide satellite communication and texting in remote areas, these devices require a subscription. For example, the current Garmin inReach subscription plans vary from $14.99/month to $49.99/month, depending on your needs.
The Garmin InReach Mini is one of the most affordable and simple solutions, but there are more advanced options to use for navigation as well. Also available at REI if you prefer to get the member bonus or use your rewards.
Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)
Different from a GPS device, personal locator beacons operate off of a different frequency that is monitored by NOAA(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) which is connected to a network of search and rescue teams. For these reasons, PLBs can operate reliably regardless of the visibility or terrain. PLBs do not track your real time movements but can signal the location you are in when activated.
The Ocean Signal PLB1 Rescue Me device is a great and simple PLB solution. It is waterproof and includes a strobe light to assist search and rescue in locating you. No subscription is required to use this device, so be sure to factor that into the cost comparison with a GPS or satellite messenger device.
Pro Tip: Personal Locator Beacons need to be registered (for free) in the NOAA Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking database. This connects your PLB with your personal information, which helps aid in your recovery.
Tactical Flashlight
A tactical flashlights is not only useful for low-light situations, but also as a self defense tool. These flashlights are made of extremely sturdy material and have a jagged edge so they can be used like a baton or bat.
Some tactical flashlights also have a strobe or SOS feature for emergencies.
Cell Phone with Power Bank
Hiking is a great way to disconnect with technology, so why am I recommending you bring a cell phone with a power bank? In today’s world cell phones are an essential to for us to use in case of emergencies. Whether you are lost, injured, or otherwise, a fully charged cell phone can be a lifeline.
As an added layer of safety, bring along a portable power bank and charging cable in case your cell phone battery gets low. Anker is a brand I rely on and this power bank comes with a built-in cable. Remember, in cold temperatures batteries drain more quickly.
First Aid Kit
A first aid kit is one of the ten essentials for a reason! Even on short hikes and familiar trails, accidents happen. I keep a compact first aid kit in my day pack at all times in case of emergencies like an injury, bug bite, or other illness.
Protect Your Peace While Hiking Alone as a Woman
You deserve all the benefits of solo time outdoors! I hope these tips for hiking alone as a woman allow you to feel more safe and confident on the trail. Looking for more ideas on how to adventure outside on your own? I’ve got you covered with these outdoors guides!
Related content to read next:
How to Prevent Blisters When Hiking
What to Wear When Hiking in Summer: A Prepared Girl’s Guide
Visit my Prepared Girl’s Guide page for more practical tips and gear lists for outdoor adventures!
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