Tips for every trailgoer
Enjoying any trail starts before you get to the trailhead. Being prepared is key to any outdoor adventure: it can keep you on the right path and out of potential trouble, minimizes your impact on the environment, and shows respect for fellow trailgoers. AllTrails is here to help ensure you have the information, tools, and supplies you need for a great experience every time you step outside.
Trail Planning
A good outing starts with picking the right trail for you. AllTrails helps you find a hike that matches your abilities and goals, with difficulty ratings (easy, moderate, hard), trail length and elevation, weather forecasts, and community reviews.
Tips for choosing your trail:
- Know your limits. If you’re new to hiking, start with easy or moderate routes.
- Don’t underestimate elevation. A long, flat walk is often easier than a short, steep climb.
- Use Collections to Quickly filter for kid-friendly, dog-friendly, or other needs to find what works for you.
Gear Essentials
The right gear makes hiking safer and getting out there more fun. While you need a lot less for a 2-mile city hike than a 20-mile backcountry trip, we believe in great basics. We partnered with Black Diamond Equipment, the world-class leader in technical mountain gear, to share our list of recommended gear for any hike.
- Navigation: If it goes in your pack or on your body, we consider it gear, and no piece is more essential than your map. Use AllTrails to choose, download, and navigate your route, and carry a small portable battery for longer days (this is a staff favorite).
- Footwear: Comfortable, well-fitting shoes are crucial. Trail runners or hiking boots both work, and you want a waterproof pair for mud or wet conditions. Opt for ankle support for more stability. First wear? Keep your hike short–and if you feel a rub or “hot spot,” stop and address it before it becomes a blister. Our favorite footwear tip? Don’t forget an ultra-comfortable extra pair for a long ride home from the parking lot.
- Backpack: A comfortable, lightweight pack is important for carrying everything else. For longer hikes, you want a pack that distributes weight to your hips instead of all on your shoulders.
- Water: Bring a reusable water bottle, a hydration reservoir (also known as a hydration bladder), or both. Make sure you have enough, plus a little extra. A good rule of thumb is one half liter (about 16 ounces) for every hour you plan to be out in normal conditions. If it’s hot or you’re planning a hard hike, bring closer to one liter (32 ounces) per hour.
- Food: What’s better: an epic view or the snack break that comes with it? We’re all about both. Just like with water, bring a little more food than you expect to need. And as long as you can pack it in and out, the perfect trail food is the one you like to eat!
- First aid kit: At least one person in your group should carry a small medical kit for minor injuries like little cuts and blisters. Carry critical medications for yourself in your pack in case you get separated from the group.
- Apparel layers: Layering is the key to staying comfortable on the trail, even if conditions change. A base layer’s function is to wick sweat away from your body. A mid layer on top of it keeps you warm in cooler weather. And a shell as your outer layer is a must to keep wind and water away, especially if you’re hiking in a region where conditions can change quickly.
- Sun safety: Wear sunscreen and a hat to reduce the risk of harmful sun exposure. Pack sunscreen to reapply on longer days, and don’t forget lip balm with SPF too!
Bonus gear for extra preparation:
- Headlamp: Essential for early starts, late finishes or unexpected delays, a headlamp keeps the path lit and your hands free.
- Trekking poles: Great for additional stability and security on rough terrain and can help cushion joints on long descents. We love Black Diamond’s best-selling Trail Cork Trekking Poles. New to poles? The Black Diamond team can help you get started.
Safety First, Always
Whether you’re heading out with friends or exploring solo, taking a few precautions goes a long way. Think ahead, and respect both your limits and the environment.
- Hike with a buddy when possible. If you go alone, share your route and expected return time with someone (Live Share, available with AllTrails Plus, make this step easy).
- Be aware, alert, and flexible. Know your own ability and when to pivot your plan.
- Expect the unexpected. Extra food, water, or a layer can matter if conditions change quickly or another hiker needs help.
- Stay on trail. Venturing off established routes can be dangerous to you and damaging to fragile environments.
Trail Etiquette
Respecting the trail and fellow trailgoers helps everyone have a better time outdoors.
- Use tech responsibly. Phones are valuable safety tools on the trail, but use headphones for music and podcasts, and avoid noise-canceling features so you’re still aware of what and who’s around you.
- Leave no trace. Pack in and out everything you bring—truly, everything, including food scraps and waste. Don’t collect rocks, plants, or wildlife. They may be cute, but we promise forest creatures don’t make good pets.
- Yield to uphill traffic. The general rule is hikers going uphill have the right of way, so if you’re headed down, step aside.
Every hike is a chance to recharge, enjoy nature, and share the joy of the trail with others. A little prep goes a long way in staying safe and making the most of every outing. Don’t just take our word for it, we’ll see you out there!
