6 Tips to Find Solitude When Hiking

Looking for solitude when hiking? Do you prefer hikes with fewer people? Here are 6 tips for finding solitude when hiking to bring you peace and quiet.

Finding Solitude When Hiking

Hiking in solitude is one of the most rewarding things you can do for yourself. You gain a deeper understanding of what it is like to be alone in the wilderness. Being in solitude surrounded by nature provides a completely different perspective, releases stress, and recharges your mindset, among other things. A few hours or miles of hiking can benefit your mental health. Here are 6 steps to follow to find solitude on hikes.

Follow These 6 Tips to Find Solitude When Hiking

1. Hike Less Popular Trails

When searching for a place to hike in solitude, avoid less popular trails – they exist in your local area or your favorite destinations that you visit. My advice is to go to locations that you know won’t be as crowded, for example, places not mentioned in your area often, longer trails that most people avoid, or find a unique place near you. You can use apps like AllTrails to guide you by entering the city or region you are seeking, and it will provide plenty of options for you.

Note: sometimes, you may need to drive a little further to get to hiking trails that offer the solitude you are searching for.

2. Hike Early Morning

“Early bird gets the worm.” this is very true when it comes to hiking in solitude! Early morning hikes give you a head start on finding parking, and you have the trail mostly to yourself. I find that this is one of the most valuable things you can do if you want solitude on hikes. Starting early or even getting up early for a hike isn’t a lot of people’s cup of tea, so you are guaranteed to find so much peace early morning. If you’re out there early enough, you’ll get some outstanding sunrise views.

3. Hike Later in the Day

Hiking later in the day is rewarding, especially if you like sunsets! The best times to hike can depend on the season; in the cooler months, you are guaranteed to find even more solitude since people hike less during the winter months. In the spring and fall seasons, if you begin anytime after noon, you will most likely see fewer crowds.

In the summer months, you can begin much later since the sun is out longer than the rest of the year. There is more flexibility on when to hike when it is warmer, but keep in mind that in the summer months, starting super early or much later in the day is the best for safety to prevent heat incidents and dehydration.

4. Hike on Weekdays

Weekday hiking isn’t very popular, and it is obvious because most people are either working or in school during those times. During the week, it is great for a hiker seeking alone time! I’ve had the pleasure of hiking on weekdays from time and time and I love how empty the trails are, if you have never done a mid-week or weekday hike I highly suggest trying one. There is hardly anyone hiking during the weekdays, and you will enjoy your time outdoors seeing fewer people out there.

5. Hike Off-Season

Hiking off-season is the time of year when fewer people engage on the trails – these times are usually in the cool months from late October to mid-March. Winter hiking is fun if you enjoy the cold climate and exploring in rain and snow. Most people prefer not to hike during the cooler months because the sun is out for fewer periods of time. If the cold doesn’t bother you, try snowshoeing! I find trekking in the snow to be a very rewarding winter activity, and it is often so quiet in the wilderness.

Here are trails to explore snowshoeing: 3 Locations for Snowshoeing in NorCal.

6. Hike Long Distance

Hiking long distances can mean several things. Those include longer day hikes between 7-12 miles, and sometimes more. Thru-hiking varies by time and distance, and backpacking is a shorter trip than thru-hiking and will depend on the days you are seeking to travel by foot. Hiking longer miles daily is the most doable throughout the year and requires less preparation than thru-hiking or backpacking.

For long day hikes, make sure to pack the essentials and bring plenty of water. You come to realize that the deeper you go into the wilderness, the fewer people you see, which also includes popular trails. I enjoy hiking for longer periods of time, and those tend to be the hikes where I feel the most relaxed and at peace. If you want more solitude, hike long distances.

Your Thoughts: Do you like finding solitude on the trails?

This post was about 6 Tips to Find Solitude When Hiking. Which of these tips do you find most valuable? Do you do these things already to find time alone when hiking? Share a comment below, and let me know if you do something different. Happy hiking!!!