Welcome to the best hiking tips
for women hikers
You're in the right place for trustworthy hiking tips for women, from an experienced female hiker.
Whether you're a hiking beginner or want to tackle longer day hikes, overnights and backpacking, at Hiking For Her you'll find trail-tested answers so you can feel confident, prepared and excited to hit the trail.
Explore free, practical hiking resources for women
Everything you read on Hiking For Her is written from my extensive trail experience (50+ years).
Waiting for you is a wealth of hiking tips for before, during and after your hikes, plus gear checklists, what-to-wear and what-to-bring expert advice for your next hike, detailed gear and outdoor clothing reviews, and answers to common hiking questions.
Best hiking tips for women start here!
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Confidence-building basics for your first hikes, including your footwear, clothing and snacks |
Go farther, see more with these comfort and safety hiking tips for women |
Overnight and longer trips simplified:
gear, food, hygiene, and smart trail skills like safety and navigation
Hi, I’m Diane Spicer.
I've been hiking for 5 decades and counting, learning as I go.
I created Hiking For Her to share practical, trail-tested hiking advice you can use right away, whether you’re just getting started as a hiker or you’re ready for advanced hiking tips to bring something new to your outdoor adventures.
More hiking questions answered
along with the best hiking tips for women
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Comfortable, durable clothing and footwear plus hiking specific layering strategies |
Be well prepared: pack what you need on your hike, skip what you don’t |
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Snacks, meals, and hydration tips to keep you strong & fueled up on the trail |
All the ways you can minimize soreness, inflammation and foot problems |
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Explore all the ways and places you can enjoy outdoor time as a female hiker |
Discover why I use specific clothing, trail footwear, hiking backpacks, and backpacking gear |
Before you dive in...
It's important that you get your hiking tips from a real hiker, not some AI assisted technology that can lead you literally astray.
Every hiking tip on this website is created by me, a real person and long time hiker, camper and backpacker.
No paid reviews, no paid link placements, no AI generated photos, either.
Real stuff, every time.
Now that my boots are off, I'm making a mental list of new hiking tips for women hikers!
Enjoy a free monthly hiking newsletter
to keep up to date with new hiking tips for women
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WHY HIKING FOR HER IS DIFFERENT
HFH does not do paid reviews.
You are not reading sponsored (paid) posts with hidden bias.
There are no paid placement of links.
Every article is written from real life experiences.
None of the photos are AI generated.
This is an ad free space for you to enjoy.
That's why you can trust these free hiking tips:
factual, reliable and trail worthy.
Why does Hiking For Her offer all this
to you, free of charge?
Because females do things a little differently than the guys!
We like to stick together and get it done on the trail, by celebrating our differences and maximizing our strengths.
Together, we're stronger hikers.
And we like to share :)
This hiking tips website is free to use (and free of ads) because that's what women do: share tips, encourage and learn from each other, and have a great time on the trail!
Use these free hiking tips for women any way you'd like:
- A frequently updated female hiking blog
- A how to hike guide with best hiking tips for beginners
- A Hiking Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) resource
- An extensive archive of hiking knowledge
- Or as one reader put it, a hiking encyclopedia!
What readers are saying
"Thank you so very much for what you do. I am 65 and a hiker, and a woman - and reading what you write is like talking with a friend... There is not enough room here to say how many thank you's I have. I am looking forward to each newsletter!" -E.R.
"Two years ago I was a brand new hiker. I've now completed three
significant hiking trips.
Diane's guidance and advice are
thorough and spot on. With her help I've been safe, comfortable, and
prepared during all my hiking adventures. I highly recommend her
courses and blog." -D.S.
“I just want to say how much I enjoy your newsletter. It’s always full of useful information. I belong to five different hiking groups—we hike all year long in all kinds of weather—and we use your tips to stay safe and make it through our day hikes.” -C.S.
“I always look forward to your messages in my inbox. Some make me laugh, others make me think deeper, but I always end up learning something new about being in the woods with Mother Nature—especially as a female solo hiker.” -G.T.
Hike a lot smarter with the best hiking tips!
It's smart to spend time planning and learning, before you hit the trail.
Not only is that the path to a shorter learning curve, it makes you a safer, smarter hiker.
And once you're on the trail, knowing you have the right gear and hiking food, you feel confident and ready to enjoy yourself.
That's exactly what I want for you!
Allow me to modify this famous saying just a bit:
The more that you read,
the more things you will know,
the more that you learn,
the more places you'll go.
~Dr. Seuss
And the more places you'll go hiking!
~Hiking For Her
So dig in and explore all the best hiking tips for women that I can offer, based on my decades of trail experience.
It's a pleasure creating this hiking resource for you. Please enjoy each and every one of the 700+ pages of hiking and camping tips. Yes, that's a lot of hiking tips for women, and they're all free and available right here!
Quick hiking FAQs for women hikers
How do I choose hiking boots vs. trail shoes (and which choice is best for
me)?
How do I choose hiking boots vs. trail shoes (and which choice is best for me)?
Match your hiking footwear to the weight of your backpack and the type of trail you’re hiking. To start day hiking on established trails, trail shoes provide a degree of support and protection. For rocky terrain with a heavier backpack you want the solid tread, arch support and ankle protection of hiking boots. Pay attention to how wide or narrow your feet are, how high your arch is, and how much cushioning you prefer as you search for the best fit for your feet.
Is solo hiking safe for women (and what are the smartest
precautions)?
Is solo hiking safe for women (and what are the smartest precautions)?
You can be a safe solo hiker if you plan carefully. Manage the risks you can before you reach the trailhead (choosing the best trail, picking a good weather window, setting a turnaround time, sharing your plans with someone) as well as on the trail (carry the Ten Essentials and a satellite communication device in addition to your cellphone, know how to navigate, understand what to do during animal encounters, use your intuition).
How do I choose a hiking backpack that actually fits?
How do I choose a hiking backpack that actually fits?
Forget color, focus on features. You want a backpack that matches your torso length and allows for multiple points of adjustment so you get the best fit. Choosing a women’s specific pack is essential because the shoulder straps and hip belt design will match your anatomy and prevent chafing or bruising.
How do I plan my first backpacking trip (route, safety, and
logistics)?
How do I plan my first backpacking trip (route, safety, and logistics)?
Simple is best. Choose an easy destination in terms of terrain and mileage, and give yourself plenty of time to reach it. Plan easy dehydrated meals that require a minimum of gear. Know how to set up your tent before you go. Take a close look at your route at the trailhead, and double check yourself along the way. Be sure you have a good sleeping system to match the temperature and moisture conditions.
What can I do about soreness after a hike?
What can I do about soreness after a hike?
Expect some degree of soreness, based on how long and hard your hike was. What you eat and drink on your hike can help avoid muscle soreness: water with electrolytes, carbohydrate and protein rich snacks that fuel you without loading you up with chemicals. After a hike, use gentle stretches or passive yoga poses, take a warm bath with Epsom salts, drink lots of water and herbal tea, for starters.
What should I do about common foot problems that hikers face like blisters, hot spots, and damaged toenails?
What should I do about common foot problems that hikers face like blisters, hot spots, and damaged toenails?
Address foot issues as soon as they appear. A hot spot on one section of your foot means something is wacky about your socks, footwear, or lacing method so stop and make adjustments. If it continues to happen, you need different boots or trail shoes. Once a blister forms, use tape or pads to isolate it from further damage with over-the-counter supplies. A darkened or sore toenail means the toebox on your footwear is too confining, or your foot is sliding forward on downward sections of trail. Check the thickness of your socks, add or remove inserts, but don’t ignore the problem.
How can I stay clean and fresh on a hike or backpacking trip?
How can I stay clean and fresh on a hike or backpacking trip?
Female hiker hygiene is a matter of having the right supplies. You want to bring small amounts of scent free soap that can be used for hair, face and body washing. Dr. Bronner's unscented soap concentrate is my go to. A toilet hygiene kit with a trowel, premoistened wipes, and disposal bag is essential. Hiking during your period means you need to pack an internal cup, pads, tampons or whatever combination works for you at home; bring extras and double bag them to prevent moisture contamination. Carry out all used supplies in the spirit of Leave No Trace.
Now get out there with these best hiking tips
and hike up a storm!
Poor choice of words for a hiker :/
Let's try that again.
Use all of these tips from your virtual trail buddy Diane at Hiking For Her to stride with confidence down any trail.
I'm here for you with hiking tips whenever you need answers to your hiking questions!
Hiking For Her's mission:
Happy Trails For Hikers Of All Ages
Hiking For Her does not sell any personal information.
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I get emails all the time about what I wear, eat, carry and love to use on the trail. That's
why I provide affiliate links to you: the best gear that I use myself and have seen used by other hikers is instantly
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pennies per dollar to this reader-supported hiking website. There is no added cost to you! Everyone ends up a winner: Great gear for you, strong gear companies, and more free hiking tips for everyone. Thanks very much for your support. It's warmly and sincerely appreciated. It also helps send these hiking tips to all your virtual trail buddies around the globe. |
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Diane Spicer was a beginner hiker in 1971, and never stopped hiking. She founded the Hiking For Her community in 2008 to encourage female hikers, those who wanted to begin hiking as well as those who were in love with this fantastic sport already. On this website she shares expert hiking tips and recommendations, gear reviews and photos from her outdoor adventures so you can learn the necessary skills for comfort confidence and safety on a hike. This reader supported website does not use sponsored or promoted content. There are no ads, no AI content or artificially generated or touched up photos, no paid link placements. Everything you read is based on decades of personal hiking experience in many different locations. Please enjoy these expert hiking tips as you explore what hiking offers in any weather, season or location. |
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All rights reserved. No duplication of content without permission.
Photo credits: All photos on this website were taken by David Midkiff or Diane Spicer except where noted.
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