Self-knowledge is something I talk about a lot here on the blog and on the podcast. To me, the first step in creating a life that you love is to answer the question “Who am I?” The better I know myself, the better I can create the life that I want. It means decision-making is easy and quick.

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Related reading – Solo Hiking for Women: Staying Safe in the Outdoors

Advantages of solo hiking

When you’re hiking on your own, you can do whatever you want, whenever you want, however you want. You can go where you want, you can hike at your own pace, and you can stop for as many breaks as you want. You don’t have to worry about compromising or pleasing others.

You don’t have to worry about whether you’re walking too fast or too slow. You don’t have to be annoyed by people who want too many breaks, and you don’t have to worry that you’re the one who needs lots of breaks. I find it takes a lot of mental work to go hiking with other people. I’m always worrying about how I fit into the group—unless I’m guiding a formal walking group, in which case it’s a whole different type of mental work.

The biggest advantage of solo hiking is that you can create the experience that you want to have. You don’t have to negotiate the details with your hiking companions. In the same way that hiking in groups can be a lesson in compromise, solo hiking can be a lesson in self-knowledge.

Let go of fears

When you make the decision to go hiking on your own, you’re choosing to step outside your comfort zone and do something new. You’re making the decision to let go of your fears.

What will people think of me if they see me alone on a trail? Will I look like a sad person with no friends who has no other choice but to go out on her own?

What if I get attacked on the trail? What do I do if I’m approached by an aggressive hiker who wants to join me? What if I come across a bear/wolf/mountain lion?

Obviously, plan in advance to avoid dangerous situations. Know where you’re going, and tell someone where you’ll be. When I go out on a trail that I’ve planned in advance, I send my husband a .gpx file of my route.

Let go of shoulds

Your first solo hike might be a bit confusing. It might feel strange to be out on your own. It might even be really uncomfortable.

On your first solo hike, you may find yourself full of shoulds. Should I walk faster? Should I walk slower, and pace myself? Should I stop more often? Should I push myself to hike further before my next break? Should I push myself to hike to the top of the hill without stopping, or should I rest?

This is the beauty of hiking alone: you can listen to your inner voice. Yes, you can drown it out by listening to music or a podcast, but if you hike without these distractions, you can use your hike as a journey of self discovery. Don’t ignore your shoulds; don’t sweep them under the rug inside your mind.

Look at them. Hold them up to the light. Examine them.

Focus on your feelings

“Should I stop more often or push onwards?” turns into “How do I feel?” Do I feel like taking a break? Do I feel like continuing onward? As I’ve discussed in my book Alone on the South Downs Way, I really enjoy stopping and resting about once an hour when I’m walking a long-distance trail. I’m also aware that’s way too often for many people, but I’ve found that’s what works for me.

“Should I get to the top without stopping, or should I rest?” again turns into “How do I feel?” Do you feel up for a challenge, or do you really need to stop once—or more—on the way up? Because you’re alone, you don’t have to impress anyone (though you don’t need to impress anyone in any case) and you can stop three times on the way up if you like.

“Should I walk faster or slower?” also turns into “How do I feel?” One of the advantages of solo hiking is that you can find your natural pace. I used to be a really fast walker, always charging ahead of the other people I was walking with. Then I walked the South Downs Way for the first time and really learned to slow down—because I had to. Now, I’m a much slower walker, which gives me time to actually enjoy the journey.

Getting to know yourself

When I walked the South Downs Way for the first time, I had a really rough go of it. It’s “only” a 100-mile trail, but I had never walked more than a day hike, and I walked the trail during the hottest part of the year, with record numbers for temperature. I learned many lessons on that journey, which I share in my book—I want my readers to learn from my mistakes, so they don’t have to make the same mistakes. I’ve heard time and time again from readers that they took my advice on board and really appreciate it, because there were plenty of details they hadn’t thought about in advance.

But everyone is different! That’s why solo hiking is so great: you learn what works for you. You can find your own pace. You can find your own preferences. And you can plan your next adventures accordingly.

Give yourself space

Another huge advantage of solo hiking is that it allows me the time and space for things to come up. It helps me to explore things in my life. I always walk away (pun intended) from a solo hike with new ideas for books and other creative adventures. It also gives me a new perspective on life.

If you’ve read my book Alone on the South Downs Way, you’ll know that when I walk a long-distance trail, I often pull a set of oracle cards before I leave home: one for each day of the journey. It gives me a theme to reflect on, and a mantra to repeat when the going gets tough. I often make it into a song, which I sing aloud as I follow the trail. I can guarantee you that I’d never sing on a trail if I were hiking with other people! My singing voice isn’t great, and I’m tone deaf, but Nature doesn’t seem to mind.

What about you?

Have you ever thought about taking a solo hiking trip? It doesn’t have to be 100 miles or longer—it can be a simple day hike near your home. Where would you like to go on your first solo hike?

If you’re an experienced solo hiker, where would you like to plan your next adventure?

Please share in the comments.

Related reading

Read about my two adventures along England’s most popular National Trail in this second edition of my book Alone on the South Downs Way. This book contains all the blisters, sweat, and tears from my first life-changing journey—and all the joy, presence, and magic of the second one.

More than just a walking travelogue or memoirs of a walking holiday, this book contains my reflections on walking the trail, including lessons learned and practical information to help you plan your hiking adventure. It includes a suggested packing list, gear recommendations, and other useful tips, such as when to walk the trail, where to stay, and how much you’ll need to budget.

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