Solo Hiking Confidence: How To Get It

Solo hiking confidence: Is it something a woman is born with? Or something that can be learned?

In my mind, it's a bit of both.

If you were lucky enough to be raised by confident adults, it's one of many positive traits you absorbed. Your attitude toward solo hiking is probably something like this: "Take off on a solo hike? Sure! Nothing is holding me back!"

But if you had timid parents, or were not taken into the outdoors regularly, maybe it's something you have to learn.

Solo trail confidence implies a complete and total trust in your hiking skills, background knowledge, decision making ability, and physical limits. It's mental, physical, and for some women, spiritual strength all rolled into one.

Which should give every female hiker something to think about: how and where do I get the skills to build solo hiking confidence?

So in no particular order, here's a list of what to work on to get your solo hiking confidence oozing from every pore, right along with your perspiration!

1. BOOK SMARTS: The internet is crawling with sites dedicated to hiking.

A small corner is devoted to solo hiking, aimed at female hikers.

And even fewer are give solid information without generating fear.

If you'd like some links to the best info sources for hikers trying to build particular skill sets, send me an email using the contact form at the bottom of this page.

Please specify what you're working on: navigation, physical conditioning, solo trips, conquering phobias or fears...I will respond with some suggested websites where you can find more information, sites I myself have visited and found useful. I will definitely NOT recommend sites with an agenda or bias, only those whose prime focus is passing on knowledge to build solo hiking confidence.

2. MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATIONS: I have a few trusted groups which I recommend, based upon which hiking skills you're working on and which region you live in.

These groups run classes, sponsor hiking events, and create a "can do" environment for those who want to expand their hiking knowledge base. If you contact me, please be sure to specify where you are, or if you're willing and able to travel for coursework.

3. HOME STUDY COURSES: I am a fervent believer in the do-it-yourself approach. What better way to learn to identify trees than to get out there, field guide in hand, and LOOK at trees? (or what have you: flowers, insects, snakes, butterflies....).

I've stumbled across a few pretty cool "schools" for those of us who love to learn, and don't need a physical teacher there. Self-mentoring, I guess you'd call it. What better way than a self-paced building of solo trail confidence?

I will design a personalized curriculum for you, after we have a conversation about what exactly you're looking for.

And I'll be the trusted trail buddy who gives you feedback, gives you assignments & asks for proof that you did them, and gives you confidence in your ability to tackle solo hiking.

Why would I do this? Because as I was passing through my teens and twenties, women did that for me. My Girl Scout leaders, camp counselors, and family friends challenged me to take those first steps into the big, wide unknown, and to keep going.

And now that I'm an old trail dog, it's time to give back.

Solo hiking confidence: it's gained, not genetic. More information on solo hiking skills can be found here.