Trail Etiquette 101: Hike Smart, Respect Nature, Make Friends

As hiking enthusiasts, we cherish our time in nature. But remember, we're guests in the wilderness. Understanding and following trail etiquette is crucial for everyone's enjoyment, safety, and the preservation of our beloved trails. This guide will walk you through the essential rules of the trail, including the all-important question: who has the right of way?

Why Trail Manners Matter: A Hiker's Guide to Harmony

Hiking etiquette encompasses both written and unwritten rules that guide our behavior on the trail. While not everyone may be familiar with these guidelines, taking the time to learn and follow them sets you apart as a responsible hiker.

Trail Wisdom: Essential Etiquette for Every Adventurer

Let's explore the core principles that make a considerate and responsible hiker:

Know Right Of Way

Many trails are actually multi-use trails, you will be on them with other hikers, mountain bikers, horses, and sometimes motor vehicles. Each of these has a different set of rules to the right of way, so let's take a look at each and make sure you have a good understanding of the right of way.

Hikers

The golden rule: downhill hikers yield to uphill hikers. This is because:

1. Uphill hikers have a more limited field of vision and are often in a rhythm.
2. It's easier for downhill hikers to regain their pace after stopping.
3. Uphill hikers appreciate maintaining their hard-earned momentum.

Also as an uphill hiker should you need to pass another uphill hiker don't just slam past them on a narrow trail section, look for more space and then make sure to tell them you are going to pass, something like the following:

"On your left"... or you may need to say "on your right" but this helps maintain good trail communications.

This is more to make sure fellow trail users know you are there and that you are a person and not an animal like a bear hot on their heels. Most slower hikers will understand reasonable speeds for faster-moving trail users and have no issue letting you pass.

Group Hikers

When encountering large groups:

1. Single hikers should step aside to let groups pass.
2. Groups should hike single file and yield to faster hikers when safe.
3. Large groups should consider splitting into smaller units to minimize trail impact.

Mountain Bikers

Those that choose to ride a bike on trail should yield to anyone on foot. Trail or mountain biking riders typically know their rules well and will try to follow them, but for you make sure to use common sense, and if the mountain bikes are flying down the trail move out of the way if you have a place.

Most conscientious mountain bikers who bike trails will want to avoid foot traffic also, so they will tend to try and avoid heavily trafficked trails to avoid these situations.

Horses

For a hiker, a horseback rider will have the right of way in most cases. Horseback riders have to carefully manage their animals as horses can be simple spook and cause panic and issues on the trail that could be avoided.

The good thing for thru-hikers is that horseback riding isn't allowed on all trails, but make sure to check out the trail signs so you are aware, they are allowed on the PCT and along the CDT per each of their respective Equestrian center.

Also note, please don't reach out to touch or pet the horses as this can cause just as much panic and issues. Do feel free to speak to the rider that you are ok where you are as this will help both of you have an uneventful pass.

Motor Vehicles

For many trails or sections of trails, motorized vehicles can be authorized which obviously are heavy and can be dangerous to a normal hiker. These can range from dirt bikes to bigger quads and similar so it's always better to watch and keep your eyes and ears open.

Tread Lightly: Embracing Leave No Trace on Your Journey

With the pandemic there has been a gigantic rise in foot traffic and the overall number of people who are out on trails, this is excellent but they bring many problems from the cities to the forests.

The sheer quantity of people leaving trash out, marking trees, not carrying or burying poo and toilet paper is leading to all kinds of crises' on trails.

Leave No Trace (LNT) principles are crucial for preserving our trails:

1. Pack out all trash, including biodegradable items.
2. Use established campsites and trails.
3. Properly dispose of human waste.
4. Leave nature as you found it - don't build structures or pick plants.
5. Be fire-wise and follow local regulations.
6. Respect wildlife and keep your distance.
7. Be considerate of other visitors.

Educate fellow hikers about LNT principles when appropriate, but do so kindly and without confrontation.

Trail Camaraderie: Fostering Connections in the Wilderness

Offer up a friendly greeting to fellow hikers when you pass them on the trail, build up the thru-hiker status by being amazing while out there! We all share a common love of the outdoors and can learn from each other.

Foster a positive trail community:

1. Greet fellow hikers with a friendly hello.
2. Share trail conditions and helpful information.
3. Offer assistance if someone seems in need.
4. Be open to learning from others' experiences.

Paws on the Path: Responsible Pet Hiking

For many on a day or section hikes bringing a dog along is commonplace when allowed on dog-friendly trails, for many though they fail to follow the guidelines on cleaning up their pet wastes or they bag them and drop them to "pick them up when leaving".

This approach though isn't acceptable when bringing dogs on trails, as nearly every time it is forgotten, and now that they are encased in plastic they will exist for decades or until another person decides to clean up the mess on their behalf.

When hiking with pets:

1. Always keep dogs on a leash unless in designated off-leash areas.
2. Pack out pet waste - don't leave bagged waste on the trail.
3. Ensure your pet is trained to obey commands and not disturb wildlife or other hikers.
4. Bring enough water and food for your pet.

Another key to pets is that they need to be on a leash and controlled, off-leash dogs can lead to many issues on and off the trail. If allowed off the main trail they can damage the plant life and animals, destroying ecosystems that are away from the trail.

Whispers in the Wild: Preserving Nature's Soundtrack

Most are heading out to hike to get away from the noise pollution of the city, the yelling or loud people, non-stop white noise that invades your head leaving you gasping for quiet.

Make sure when you are on the trail keep in mind to try and speak in a measured volume so as to limit your voice carrying miles, this will help all people enjoy their treks.

Also, make sure to avoid yelling, frequently yelling will be seen as trouble when out in nature. Yelling should be limited to when you need to signal someone not at every overlook or opening.

Preserve the natural soundscape:

1. Speak in low voices to avoid disturbing wildlife and other hikers.
2. Use headphones if you want to listen to music or podcasts.
3. Limit loud noises and yelling to emergency situations.
4. Enjoy and appreciate the natural sounds of the wilderness.

Music is another issue that has become invasive on the trail and like voices, it is frequently being played loud without headphones. This is really poor behavior as most others don't want or need to hear your music, audiobooks, movies, or other audio while out in nature.

Be a Trail Champion: Your Role in Preserving the Great Outdoors

By following these trail etiquette guidelines, you're not just being a considerate hiker - you're actively contributing to the preservation of our natural spaces. Each respectful action, no matter how small, helps ensure that our trails remain beautiful and accessible for generations to come.

So, the next time you lace up your hiking boots, remember: you have the power to make a positive impact on the trail and the wider hiking community. Happy hiking!