There’s nothing quite like immersing yourself in nature during an invigorating hike. And luckily for hikers in Tennessee, there’s no shortage of trail options! Whether you’ve planned a short nature walk near your home, or a challenging, multi-day hike along the Cumberland Plateau, it’s important to make sure you stay safe on the trails. Read below for ten tips to make your upcoming hikes as fun and safe as possible.
- Pick the Trail That’s Right for You
Know your limits when choosing a trail, and look for a trail that’s a good match for you or your group’s abilities. There are many great resources to help you find a trail, such as State or National park websites or websites like AllTrails. If you have any medical conditions, consider discussing your plans with your healthcare provider. - Do Your Research
Get familiar with your hike in advance! Read the trail guide or consult a park ranger to get a good idea of what to expect, what to wear, and what to pack. Knowledge of trail and weather conditions, terrain, difficulty, and time and effort it takes to go out and back is vital. If certain wildlife is known to be in the area you’re hiking, make sure you understand what to do should you cross paths. - Make a Trip Plan and Emergency Plan
When it comes to emergency situations, knowledge is your best defense! Before your hike, make a trip plan that includes information like where you’re hiking, your expected return date and time, activity and equipment details, who you’re going with, and contact information. Leave this trip plan with a reliable person who’s NOT going with you, and check-in with them when you return. During this planning process, you should also come up with an emergency plan for how you’ll act and what steps you’ll take if you or someone in your group becomes lost or injured on your trip. - Bring a Friend
To lessen the risk of being alone in an emergency, go hiking with a friend or make it a group activity! If you’re hiking in a group, only go as fast as your slowest member. - Check Park Alerts
If you’re hiking in a State or National park, check the park’s website or stop by the visitor center before your hike to check for park alerts. These can inform you of trail closures or other hazards in the area. - Have a Way to Communicate
Always have your cell phone battery fully charged, but don’t rely on it for communication when you go hiking. Depending on where you are, there may not be cell coverage or reception, and searching for a cell signal can quickly drain your battery. Consider bringing a secondary form of communication with you, such as a personal locator beacon or satellite messaging device, and know (before your hike) how you will call or signal for help in the unlikely event something bad happens. - STAY ON THE TRAIL!
Regardless of how familiar you think you are with an area, stay on the marked trail! Walking off-trail increases your chances of getting injured or lost, and it can also cause erosion and damage to the natural environment. - Eat Snacks and Drink Water
Don’t let dehydration or heat exhaustion sneak up on you! Especially if you’re hiking in the summer, drink plenty of water and snack on nutritional foods to keep your energy up. - Be Careful Around Water
Tennessee has many trails where you can experience beautiful waterfalls, streams, and other water features. However, you should be extremely careful when hiking near slippery areas or rapid waters. Take your time if you’re facing a water crossing, and never cross streams during flooding, icy conditions, or any time you’re uncertain of water depth. Don’t climb wet rocks near waterfalls, as they can be much more slippery than they appear and can lead to fatal falls and serious injuries. - Keep Track of Your Time and Distance
Don’t forget that your total hike time includes the time it took you to hike to your destination and back to where you started. Set a turnaround time if your adventure is running late, and make sure you stick to it. Always be aware of the time you set out, and turn around, so you don’t get stuck outside in the dark!
Following these tips will help you have a safe and enjoyable hiking experience! For a list of upcoming TennGreen-led hikes, click here.