Related Article:\u00a010 Essential Hiking Tips For Beginners<\/a><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n It's almost guaranteed you've heard that a few times growing up. If you didn't, that can be either good or bad, but I'll reserve my judgment.<\/p>\n Whether you're conquering your first beginner trail, or taking on a more challenging trek, it's important to mind your manners and understand basic hiking etiquette. Practicing proper etiquette when hiking won't only help you have a safer and more enjoyable experience, it will also help other fellow hikers, too. It's reciprocal.<\/p>\n For every type of sport or physical activity, there are a set of unwritten rules. It's a mutual understanding participants have without explicitly stating it.<\/p>\n If it's boxing, you'd better not try knocking your sparring partner's head off.<\/p>\n When you're hooping on the court (playing basketball), you'd better not be throwing elbows or pushing.<\/p>\n Playing a friendly game of football? Don't even think about sacking an opposing player into the shadow realm.<\/p>\n It's no different when you're hiking. There are some things you should always practice, and things you should never do.<\/span><\/p>\n Let's explore the must-know hiking etiquette for beginners a bit more.<\/p>\n Hiking etiquette is a fundamental practice for every hiker, regardless of experience level. It's a sign of respect to your fellow hiker. It's a set of unwritten but well-understood rules.<\/p>\n Proper hiking etiquette can be broken down into a few rules:<\/strong><\/p>\n Hiking involves being in isolated areas with complete strangers. Fellow hikers often view each other (or they should, at least) as allies and friends.<\/p>\n Demonstrating proper hiking etiquette is important because, when you're plucked from the chaos of regular life and dropped into the isolation of nature, your fellow hikers are all you have.<\/p>\n That person you're passing on a trail might be able to help you at some point. They might even, in a dangerous situation, save your life.<\/p>\n Treat other hikers kindly and respect the rules.<\/p>\n We have the breakdown of proper hiking etiquette above. Now let's look at those rules a little more and see why they're important.<\/p>\n Hiking downhill, while requiring energy and stability, is far easier than traveling uphill. Every now and then you will come across a hiker who is heading upward. If you're traveling downhill and are on a stable surface, move over for a second and let the uphill traveler pass by. This allows a hiker heading uphill to keep their momentum and pace.<\/p>\n Hikers and trekkers who are heading to the peak of a hill or mountain are literally fighting an uphill battle. They need as much energy as possible. Hikers heading uphill also want to keep a certain pace. Breaking the pace can ruin their momentum (starting over from a dead stop is tough) and break their pace. Plus, it's just flat-out annoying.<\/p>\n Notice how this point is underlined? That's because it's one that particularly drives me nuts. Needless to say, I've been on several hikes where I've encountered unleashed dogs. They're usually always friendly, but\u00a0I don't immediately know that<\/span><\/strong>.<\/p>\n When this happens, there are two thoughts that go through my head. These thoughts likely cross the minds of other hikers, too:<\/p>\n Though the majority of dogs on a hike are friendly, your fellow hiker\u00a0doesn't know that<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Coming across a loose and wandering dog can cause anxiety in hikers and even force them into unsafe conditions when dealing with an energetic pooch on a narrow trail.<\/p>\n This rule isn't just for other hikers, though. Your dog's safety is important. Dogs are very curious, especially when they're set free in an open setting. Your dog might end up eating dangerous plants, coming across dangerous critters like rattlesnakes, or sliding down a hillside.<\/p>\n For these reasons, always make sure your dog is leashed. Giving a little slack on the leash is fine if there aren't any nearby hikers or visible threats, but be sure to shorten it up when a hiker approaches.<\/p>\n Though it's not recommended, hiking with a pair of headphones in is okay.<\/p>\n When you're blasting your favorite jam around other hikers, though, it's rude and inconsiderate of the other hikers.<\/p>\n Most people go hiking to get away from noise pollution and to disconnect from our technology-infused world. Blasting music from a cell phone or portable speaker completely breaks this experience and feels no different than having a car pull up next to you at a light with subwoofers pumping and tweeters ice-picking your eardrums.<\/p>\n Aside from other humans, wildlife may be disturbed or agitated by the frequencies of blaring audio. We disrupt wildlife enough as it is, we don't need to bring a concert hall to their home, too.<\/p>\n Most hikers aren't in a crabby mood. This can be because of the mood-boosting effects of hiking and the pleasantries of the outdoors. Aside from the obvious reasons, most hikers are generally polite because they understand hiking etiquette.<\/p>\n When you come across fellow hikers, it's okay to say hello. Even if you're an introvert (like me), saying hello to others on a hike is a nice way to greet your fellow human.<\/p>\n If you're extremely shy, a quick pull of a smile and a simple raise of a hand is nice, too.<\/p>\n We often come across unpleasant people in our regular lives. Hiking is our getaway from it.<\/p>\n It doesn't hurt to ask the hiker how they're doing, what to expect on the trail ahead of you, or to just give them a friendly heads up about something they may need to no further along.<\/p>\n Remember: communication is important, even among strangers. You may even end up making a great, new friend, all from a simple greeting.<\/p>\n You've got so far to go on your hike. Luckily, you know a killer shortcut!<\/p>\n Please stick to the trail. Taking shortcuts and wandering off can lead to problems like stumbling upon animals who aren't too fond of your presence. If you're going through brush, you also run the risk of coming into contact with poison oak. You also run the risk of damaging and disturbing wildlife, too.<\/p>\n Most trails will have limited if at all, access to restrooms or changing areas. It would be quite unsettling for another hiker to be approached in the midst of changing or making their business off the trail.<\/p>\n A scenario we never want to think about, but often do, is getting lost. If you're a new hiker, getting lost can be terrifying. It's an unlikely yet real possibility for new hikers, especially on trails lacking markings.<\/p>\n So you trekked through the hills and come upon the waterfalls you wanted to see. You whip out your phone or camera to take a quick snapshot and notice beer cans floating in the water and trash littered everywhere. How beautiful.<\/p>\n This is another simple hiking rule that people still manage to ignore, and it's maddening.<\/p>\n Leaving garbage on a trail isn't just unpleasant to look at, it harms wildlife and costs tons of money to clean up<\/a>\u2014money some towns can't afford.<\/p>\n Always pack an extra bag with you for garbage. Don't discard liquids into creeks. You wouldn't want someone coming into your home and dumping trash on the floor, don't do it on the trail.<\/p>\nMind Your Manners, New Hiker!<\/h2>\n
What Is Hiking Etiquette?<\/h3>\n
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Why Hiking Etiquette is Important<\/h3>\n
Hiking Etiquette: The Common Rules<\/h2>\n
Uphill Hikers Have Right Of Way<\/h3>\n
Keep Your Dog Leashed<\/span><\/h3>\n
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Don't Share Your Music<\/h3>\n
Be Friendly<\/h3>\n
Stay on The Trail<\/h3>\n
Don't Litter<\/h3>\n
Yield To Cyclists<\/h3>\n
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