What is hiking alone like?
Hi. I want to hike 300km but since I don't know anyone my age who is outdoorsy and also goes hiking, I only know one person and she doesn't have the time and can't go on a spontaneous holiday like I can.
My question is, what makes hiking alone so special? Right from the start? I'm 18, and I just enjoy it because I can decide for myself where to go, etc.
What do you think? I have to prepare for my 300km tour anyway, even though I run for at least an hour every evening.
(3 votes)
Loading...
I think that you will spend a lot of time with yourself, so self-reflexion, make you many thoughts and thereby mature. This is a great experience. I wouldn’t trust so many miles, but I’d like to walk. What you should try to sleep alone in the woods at night, without going to the phone, so make no noise and just don’t use it, it wakes the urine ham and it’s great moments and experiences. Wish you a lot of fun if you really go through this.
I want to go through it. At the beginning I wanted to take my colleague but by misunderstanding and by nothing else communicating it was no longer on vacation. So I almost have to go out alone I’ll get to know like-minded people who would have such a pleasure and especially the time. It’s a question.
Even if I had written the linked answer for a tour to several, you might also find some thoughts:
You should not only physically prepare yourself with running, but also mentally by micro adventures on weekends or so:
The decisive will be your inner attitude. And the question, Why? you want to walk. And why such a long tour. Where are you going? I mean, not geographically, but internally, as a human being. The question is: “What makes hiking alone for you ?”
And the answer depends on your planning.
Let’s say you’re walking in Sweden on the Kungsleden. As with another track of the same length, you must be physically well prepared. But also, as far as your luggage is concerned: the weather easily hits in the mountains, you have to wear Proviant for a long time and can not shop at any corner. The path is well marked, there are huts where you can stay. Therefore, no overrequest. You meet other migrants: Nevertheless, you must be able to understand yourself! You will be rewarded with the herb-kargen, but impressive landscape of Lapland.
Let’s say you’re walking in Scandinavia outside such extended routes. Either cross-field or on any forest roads. There’s quite a risk alone if you knock your ankle and don’t come on. You need a tent, and that’s hard. Besides, you have to deal with being alone. Depending on your attitude, loneliness can be a wonderful experience – or even extremely burdensome. I once looked at the first season of “7 vs. wild” and was surprised how some of the guys who otherwise got so tough were brought to the edge by being alone, without stealing people, without internet and without netflix series. And then there are people who are looking for that: loneliness to find themselves or God.
It’s different if you’re drowning in Central Europe. You can try every corner, usually have cell phone reception, meet many people you can connect to. There are cultural goals you can visit. But you can’t just pick up your tent somewhere; either you need permission from the landlord or you are dependent on campsites and fixed accommodation. As a girl you need a special self-confidence, you have to deal with guys.
These were only examples of how different hikes can be conceived. You have to worry about this when planning.
Good luck!
I want to be on the go in the outdoor area in the future in my spare time. Hiking, camping away from civilization. Despite that I like to be in civilization among people, I also like to be alone for myself.
My hobby is drawing. I could stay focused on a picture for hours without and with music. Of course there are small breaks. But I usually learn for myself except for my work.
For my long tour I want to get out of a hammock or from a tent. 2 in one. So sometimes I can hang on trees and sometimes sleep on the floor.
Then you need a hammock setup with hammock, underquilt and tarp. I think you’ve been smart enough, right?
What kind of area are you looking at?
What experiences can you draw on?
I don’t know if you’ve already bumped into the links, but look at the second part of this answer. (The beginning only deals with Germany)
=>
Ato your 300 km tour, of course, you have to plan the search for a good storage space and the construction of the biwak with time and effort.
Most Bushcrafters who make youtube videos don’t walk far. So this is not “deine” reality.
Mainly through Switzerland for the start and for my school degree project (my goal) from Geneva to Konstanz. There is hammock, biwak, tent or just tarp with protected background. But I hear from the Hammock Setup for the first time.
Aspirations with tents only in a normal tent in the family. I don’t have one yet, but I’ll get one of them this or next week.
On weekends as it is nice weather I will sleep in the forest with sleeping bag. Where exactly do I have to look.
Hello,
first respect that you want to walk alone.
I’ve done this a lot, but I know the alternative as a group thing.
You have to plan everything from A-Z (Route, luggage (not too much, but all necessary).
If you want to go to high mountains, you should know the conditions there and appreciate your endurance very well.
I always walk with good cards and don’t have a smartphone because I feel more natural experiences.
Basically, you can take one for emergencies.
If you can deal well with loneliness and enjoy animals, plants, views etc., it should be a beautiful holiday.
Please do not take too long distances per day, better 1-2 days longer than completely broken; I was often too unreasonable.
I’d like to be so outdoors anyway. I myself was usually more comfortable than in groups, although group work also makes fun of me. There are advantages and disadvantages in both parts.
My decision is usually because I like to do something on my own, because I don’t have to talk to anyone like where things are going and then it’s not going, and I don’t want to. And if no one gets anything from it, no one can tell you this or that won’t. Do you know what I mean?
Absolutely, I give you absolutely right. The one then wants to go faster, the other slower, some want to go to restaurants or take photos, all already experienced.
Otherwise, I think you will be able to think enough about your project and will be able to implement it.
Guess you on a wavelength with me and this is meant as praise, so crazy I may be otherwise…
Are you interested in what region you’ll be on the go, maybe I’ve been there before;-)
I’m almost like you
I think this is the most important thing, so a smartphone is just annoying and you lose the feeling for these great experiences. Best as you write to take the smartphone but do not use it.
What’s the problem?
Not every person is equal but that is so. .
I’d rather have to change a hammock to a tent because the ground is already more stable to hang on 2 trees. Was done for it.
So I would fail, but I am not gifted at all.
Especially in longer rains, it is incredibly important that everything is dense.
Or I’ll make myself a hammock from a tent. It’ll be interesting, then I’d have to know both differences. But at the same time, this my tent Biwak does not leak through a built-in hammock
With sleeping bag and enough clothes not. The one here in Switzerland is often warm enough in summer.
I really don’t know anything about it, I’ve always slept on alpine huts until now, but basically sounds like a good idea. Maybe you’ll find something like that. Don’t you think this can get cold at night, especially in a weather swing?
I wonder if there are tents where you can use as a hammock and can also be a normal tent. I’m sure it’s more expensive, but that’s how I can change for pleasure and mood.
Sounds interesting, I’ve only been through Switzerland so far, I’ve visited Konstanz as a child. But I will definitely travel your land more intensively, you are still young;-) (an old idea of me is a Matterhorn ascent, but with mountain guide).
There was a lot in Austria (especially Tyrol).
Then I wish you nice experiences, perhaps also pleasant coincidences and as the most important stable hiking weather.
Hail!
I want to hike from Geneva to Konstanz in Switzerland. I live here in Switzerland too. Otherwise, next weekend I would like to take a small mountain tour with accommodation. But still have to worry about my tent if there is bad weather
You should definitely prepare yourself.
During hiking you will probably wear other shoes than your evening jogging round. Look, you’ve been running the walking shoes well and don’t get bubbles.
Work with your luggage. How much proviant do you need? Can you refill on the way? Which jackets must be, which ones are superfluous? 300 km could be created in two weeks. There’s something to come up with. In my first attempt at an alpine cross on foot, 25 kg have come together. At that time we were still stupid (to two) and thought to have to take any crap.
Your route is not only about the route but also about the altitude meters to be overcome. With a 4 km long route, for which one usually estimates an hour, two more hours can easily be added when it goes up 1000 meters.
Note the legal situation of your action. If you want to stay in the tent, you should inform yourself in the region if and how you can. There are nature reserves and forest fire hazards that should be considered, not only because of imminent punishments but also because of possible accidents.
I saw a YouTube video of a bike tour yesterday. He also tented near civilization but was still friendly as someone asks him where to sleep differently. It was just before his tour and a few tips he had given but this is on his own responsibility.
At the altitude meter I will pay attention to every case that the mountains are not too high or if at least long.
I want to walk in the summer. There is also my question depending on what temperature it would be smarter to hike at night. Flashlight would be necessary in any case and for my orientation I will lay a card and a functional compass. Etc.
But when I’m wearing pants, I’m not sure, because in fabric pants, all moisture sucks up and at the end my legs hurt me but at leginns, it’s nice on the body and so it can rub less but by that I don’t have pockets on my pants. It seems unnecessarily walking.
Tents without authorisation are prohibited in Germany. However, you can ask any landowner and if they allow you to camp on their land and ground, you may. Otherwise you can’t get caught. But if I find myself risky and can only guess away in a public forum (sometimes make it many and if there are many, it will eventually become a real burden for the environment)
I would generally rather miss out on night hiking. For the reason that many animals are on the way at night and that might interfere. If you plan well, you can also do this typical South European Siesta and chill from 11 to 3 (bathroom, lawn,…). Better walk a few hours in the morning and then again in the evening.
Trousers: I’ve never had problems with the pants. Maybe you don’t want to be jeans. It’s supposed to be really uncomfortable on heat. With zip-off pants, I am always a bit skeptical, because the zipper on the thigh has a certain stiffness and could rub, but the only zip-off I bought in 2019 also makes me no problems in this respect. But there are some trekking pants, a little thinner fabric and not so tight. If it gets cold and/or wet, you still have a rainbow in your backpack. It is important that it fits well and does not slip. Otherwise, it will be stupid if you’re walking a few days and maybe you’ve lost a bit of a size;)