Hiking for beginners…..You ever go hiking and think, “Wow, I definitely packed like an overconfident squirrel with ADHD”? Yeah, that was me on my first real hike. I had a backpack full of granola bars (like 14?? Why??), no water filter, and boots that gave me blisters so bad I had to walk like a penguin the next day. If you’re just starting out, trust me—hiking for beginners is less about conquering nature and more about not doing dumb things that make you want to quit forever.
So today (or whatever day you’re reading this), I’m spilling the tea on the 10 common mistakes for Hiking for beginners.
Mistake #1: Wearing the Wrong Shoes
Ok so picture this: I once wore Converse on a “casual” trail because the internet said it was “moderate.” Lies. I ended up on loose gravel, slipping like a cartoon character on banana peels. Converse are great for punk shows, not mountain switchbacks.
Pro tip (learned the hard way): Get decent hiking shoes or boots. Not crazy expensive ones—you don’t need $300 boots unless you’re summiting Everest—but something with grip. Your future ankles will thank you.
2: Not Bringing Enough Water
Look, I know. Water is heavy. I also know you’ll regret skimping on it the second you start sweating like you’re in a hot yoga class you didn’t sign up for.
I once tried to “pack light” and brought one sad water bottle. Finished it halfway through. The rest of the hike felt like that episode of SpongeBob where he screams “I NEED IT!” about water. Bring more than you think you’ll drink. Bonus points if you carry a filter or purification tablets—you’ll feel like a wilderness wizard turning creek sludge into magic.
3: Overpacking Like You’re Moving Out
On the flip side… don’t bring your entire kitchen. First hike I ever did, I had:
- A cast iron skillet (why, past me??) and a family-size bag of trail mix (that melted into one horrifying chocolate blob)
- An extra hoodie I never wore
- A full paperback novel
My backpack weighed like 30 lbs for a two-hour hike. Two. Hours.
Rule of thumb: Stick to essentials—water, snacks, first aid, layers, navigation tools. Not your 7th-grade yearbook “just in case.”
4: Ignoring the Weather
This one’ll get you. Sunshine in the parking lot does NOT mean sunshine at the summit. Mountains are moody. One time, it went from sunny to hailing in, like, 20 minutes. I had a t-shirt and a “positive attitude” (aka denial).
Always—like ALWAYS—check the forecast. And then maybe pack one layer more than you think you’ll need. Worst case? You carry a jacket you don’t use. Best case? You don’t freeze into a popsicle at 5,000 feet.
5: Forgetting Snacks
Ok so I am a snack gremlin. If I go more than two hours without food, I turn into that Snickers commercial version of myself. So imagine hiking uphill, sweaty, tired, AND hangry. Not cute.
Bring snacks. And not just one sad granola bar. Think: jerky, nuts, fruit, gummies (yes, gummy worms are trail fuel—don’t fight me on this). Keep it easy to grab. Trust me, sitting on a rock wrestling with a ziplocked bag of trail mix while mosquitos attack you is not fun.
6: Not Telling Anyone Where You’re Going
This sounds like an after-school special, but seriously. Always let someone know your plan. Even if it’s just a text like: “Yo, hiking the ___ trail today, back by 6-ish, don’t let my cat eat my plants if I vanish.”
Hiking alone is cool. Hiking alone with nobody knowing where you are? Dumb. Very dumb. Even experienced hikers can get lost, and trail maps aren’t always “maps” so much as vague doodles with squiggly lines.
7: Underestimating the Trail
I thought “3 miles” = “easy.” Ha. Rookie move. Elevation is the sneaky villain here. Three miles flat? Chill. Three miles straight up? Suddenly you’re questioning your life choices, your cardio, and why you didn’t listen to your high school PE teacher.
When you’re new, pick trails labeled easy or family friendly. Build up. Don’t go straight for the Instagram-famous mountain just because you saw some influencer do it in perfect leggings (spoiler: they edited out the sweat).
8: Not Knowing Trail Etiquette
You’d think walking in the woods is simple. But no—there are unwritten rules. Like:
- Uphill hikers get the right of way.
- Don’t blast music from a speaker (seriously, stop).
- Don’t leave trash, not even “biodegradable” stuff like banana peels.
First time I hiked, I didn’t know any of this. Accidentally blocked a group of people, spilled trail mix everywhere, and definitely annoyed some poor lady power-hiking with trekking poles. So yeah. Learn the basics. It’s like driving—if everyone ignored the rules, it’d be chaos.
9: Going Alone Without Research
Ok this is embarrassing. I once picked a random trail off Google Maps, didn’t read about it, and ended up… not on a trail. Just bushwhacking through poison ivy like an idiot.
Research matters. Apps like AllTrails (not sponsored, but I should be, honestly) show you distance, difficulty, and reviews. Those reviews are gold—hikers are brutally honest. If they say “lots of bugs” or “the last mile will ruin your soul,” believe them.
10: Forgetting Why You’re Out There
This one’s cheesy, but stick with me. A lot of beginners (me included) get caught up in “I must reach the summit” or “I need to crush this trail time.” Chill. That’s gym brain talking.
Sometimes the best part of hiking isn’t the top—it’s spotting a deer, or laughing at your friend slipping in mud, or finding a weird mushroom that looks like SpongeBob. Don’t rush it. Look around. Breathe.
Hiking’s not a competition (unless you’re racing a chipmunk, in which case you’ll lose anyway).
Final Thoughts (if we’re pretending I’m organized): hiking for beginners
Hiking for beginners is basically a series of mistakes that make for great stories later. You’ll pack too much, or too little and forget sunscreen and come home looking like a lobster. You’ll eat way too many gummy worms. But that’s kinda the point—it’s messy, unpredictable, and weirdly fun.
And hey, if you avoid at least a few of these mistakes? You’ll probably enjoy the trail a whole lot more. Or at least walk normally the next day.
Outbound Link Suggestions:
Pop culture nod: Parks and Rec “Camping Episode”
Funny hiking mishaps blog: Tales of Trail Fails
