Solo Hiking Safety: 8 Tips for Hiking Alone in the UK
Updated: 1 day ago
Is it safe to hike alone? Yes, solo hiking can be safe when you prepare properly, know your limits and make sensible decisions about your route and the conditions. These hiking safety tips are specifically for anyone heading out alone, where route planning, navigation, communication and knowing your limits become even more important.:
I regularly hike and wild camp alone across the UK, and over the years I’ve developed a few habits that I now use on almost every solo trip. I plan my route carefully, check the mountain weather, make sure someone knows where I’m going and carry the right equipment in case things don’t go to plan.
Hiking alone does involve additional risks. There’s no one beside you if you become injured, get lost, or the weather changes unexpectedly. But that doesn’t mean you need to avoid heading into the hills by yourself.
In this guide, I’m sharing the eight solo hiking safety precautions I personally use when hiking and wild camping alone, along with what I’ve learned from my own time in the mountains.
Solo Hiking Safety Checklist: What to Do Before Hiking Alone
Before heading out hiking alone, I always make sure I have:
Planned my route and checked the distance, ascent and terrain
Checked the mountain weather forecast
Told someone where I’m going and when I expect to be back
Downloaded or carried a reliable map of the route
Packed enough food, water and suitable clothing
Carried a charged phone and backup power
Taken an emergency communication device where appropriate
Packed a basic emergency kit, including a head torch and first aid supplies
Considered whether the route and conditions are within my ability
Avoided sharing my exact live location publicly while I’m still out
If you're planning an overnight trip, my Beginner's Guide to Wild Camping covers everything from choosing a pitch to the kit you'll need.
She's Going Solo may receive commissions for links included in articles to Amazon and other affiliate partners. Recommendations aren't given lightly, and I've tried and tested all recommended products.
Plan a Safe Solo Hiking Route Before You Set Off
I use OS Maps to plot most of my routes. For more detailed walking maps, OS Explorer maps use a 1:25,000 scale, while OS Landranger maps use a 1:50,000 scale and cover a wider area. I find the app brilliant for planning and following my progress, but I don’t rely on my phone alone for navigation. I also carry a paper map and compass, particularly when I’m heading into the mountains or somewhere remote.
When I’m hiking alone, I also make sure someone at home knows where I’m going, the route I’m planning to take and roughly when I expect to be back. If I change my plans significantly, I let them know where possible. It’s a simple habit, but an important one when there isn’t another person walking alongside you.
Check the Mountain Weather Before Hiking Alone
Mountain weather can be very different from conditions in the valley or where you start your walk, so I always check a mountain-specific forecast before hiking alone (I love MWIS and the Met Office). I will also check a local weather service like The Lake District Weather Line (they send hilltop assessors up Helvellyn or similar every day in winter to report back accurately).
I check the forecast for the highest point of my route and the times I expect to be out, paying particular attention to wind and gusts, temperature and wind chill, rain, visibility, cloud cover, and any weather warnings.
Wind is something I’m particularly cautious about when I’m hiking alone. Rather than relying on one fixed wind-speed cut-off, I consider the route itself, how exposed it is and whether I would feel comfortable walking it in the forecast conditions. If I’m not happy with the weather, I’ll choose a lower or more sheltered route, postpone the walk or turn back.
I also keep checking the conditions while I’m out. A good forecast doesn’t mean the weather can’t change, and when I’m on my own, I would always rather change my plans than feel I have to reach a particular summit.
Carry a Satellite Communicator for Solo Hiking Emergencies
One of the biggest considerations when hiking alone is how you would get help if something went wrong and you had no mobile signal.
I realised this quite quickly when I started solo hiking and wild camping. There have been plenty of times when I’ve had little or no phone signal, sometimes even in the car park before I’ve started walking. Because I’m usually on my own, I wanted another way of communicating that didn’t rely solely on the mobile network.
I chose a Garmin inReach Mini, which I still carry when I’m heading into more remote areas. It lets me send messages via the satellite network and, depending on the tracking and location-sharing settings I use, lets people at home follow my progress. I usually check in when I set off, during the trip and again when I’m safely back at the car or camp.
The most important feature for me is the interactive SOS function. If you trigger an SOS, the device connects with Garmin Response, Garmin’s 24/7 emergency response coordination centre. They can message you, establish your location, and coordinate with the appropriate emergency services.
Garmin’s inReach range has changed considerably since I bought my Mini, so rather than recommending one particular model, I would choose a device based on the type of trips you do and the features you actually need.
Garmin inReach satellite features also require an active subscription, including the SOS service. Subscription options and prices change, so I recommend checking Garmin directly for the current plans rather than relying on old prices quoted online.
For me, carrying an inReach is about having another layer of backup. I still carry my phone, map, and compass and plan my route carefully, but knowing I can communicate when there is no mobile signal gives both me and my family extra peace of mind.
Using iPhone Emergency SOS via Satellite When Hiking Alone
If you have an iPhone 14 or later, another useful safety feature is Apple’s Emergency SOS via satellite, which is available in the UK.
If you are somewhere with no mobile or Wi-Fi coverage and can't reach emergency services normally, a compatible iPhone can connect to a satellite and let you send information about your emergency and location. You need to be outside with a reasonably clear view of the sky and horizon for the satellite connection to work.
Before heading somewhere remote, make sure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS, set up your emergency contacts and Medical ID, and try Apple’s Satellite Connection Demo so you know how the system works before you ever need it.
Don't confuse Emergency SOS via satellite with ordinary satellite messaging. At the time of writing, Apple’s Messages via satellite feature for messaging friends and family is not available in the UK.
I see this as another useful layer of emergency backup, not a replacement for good preparation. Battery life, your surroundings, and your ability to get a clear satellite connection can all affect whether you can use it.
Carry a Map and Compass and Know How to Use Them
I use OS Maps for most of my route planning and navigation, but when I’m hiking alone in the mountains I don’t want my phone to be my only way of knowing where I am.
Phones can run out of battery, get damaged or simply stop behaving when you need them most, so I carry a paper map and compass as a backup on more remote or mountainous walks.
Just as importantly, I think you need to know how to use them. Being able to identify where you are on a map, follow a route and take a basic compass bearing gives you another option if visibility suddenly disappears or you realise you’ve wandered away from the path.
I’ve walked in conditions where cloud and poor visibility can make the landscape look completely different in a very short time. That is exactly when I’m glad I haven’t relied on following a line on my phone alone.
If you are new to navigation, practise somewhere familiar and straightforward before relying on those skills in remote terrain. A map and compass tucked in your rucksack are only useful if you know what to do with them.
Know Your Limits and Avoid Unnecessary Risks When Hiking Alone
One of the most important things I’ve learned from solo hiking is that there is absolutely nothing wrong with changing your plans.
When I’m walking alone, I’m probably more cautious than I would be with someone else. I think about the terrain, the weather, how I’m feeling and whether I’m genuinely comfortable continuing. If something doesn’t feel right, I’ll turn back, choose another route or leave the summit for another day.
I also try not to let having a particular objective make the decision for me. Reaching the top of a mountain is never more important than getting back safely.
This is especially important with exposed ridges, scrambling, river crossings, snow and ice, or anything else where a relatively small mistake could have bigger consequences when you’re on your own.
Knowing your limits doesn’t mean avoiding challenge altogether. For me, it means choosing challenges appropriate to my experience and being willing to reassess them if conditions change.
Carry the Right Hiking and Emergency Equipment
My basic solo hiking safety kit usually includes a fully charged phone, a portable power bank, a head torch, a first aid kit, emergency shelter, a spare warm layer, waterproofs, food and water, and navigation equipment.
Even on a relatively short walk, I carry a head torch. Delays happen, routes can take longer than expected, and daylight disappears surprisingly quickly, particularly later in the year.
I also think about what would happen if I had to stop moving for a while. An injury that might be manageable when you’re walking can feel very different if you’re sitting still in cold, wet or windy conditions, which is why spare warmth and some form of emergency shelter are always worth carrying.
For wild camping trips, I obviously carry considerably more equipment, but the same principle applies: I want enough kit to keep myself warm, dry and able to deal with an unexpected change of plan.
If you’re planning an overnight trip, my wild camping essentials guide covers the kit I take.
Take Enough Food and Water for Your Solo Hike
I always take enough food and water for the walk I’m planning, plus a little extra in case I’m out for longer than expected.
How much water I carry depends on the length of the route, temperature, how strenuous the walk is and whether I will have access to safe water along the way. Hot weather and harder climbs naturally mean I’m likely to need more.
Rather than trying to follow a fixed amount of water per hour, I drink regularly throughout the day and pay attention to how I’m feeling. Dehydration can affect how well you function and make a difficult day in the hills much harder.
Food is just as important on longer walks. I tend to take things that are easy to eat while I’m moving, along with something more substantial for longer days, and I always carry an extra snack that I don’t plan to eat unless I need it.
If I’m wild camping, I plan food and water for the whole trip, not just the hike itself, including what I’ll need that evening and the following morning.
The important thing for me is having enough fuel and water to cope not only with the route I expect to walk, but also with unexpected delays or changes of plan.
Avoid Sharing Your Live Location When Hiking Alone
When I’m hiking or wild camping alone, I avoid posting my exact location publicly while I’m still there.
I still take photos and videos as I go, but I usually wait until I’ve left the area before sharing them on social media. If I’m camping somewhere remote, I’m especially careful not to post anything that makes my exact overnight location obvious in real time.
That doesn’t mean nobody knows where I am. I make sure someone I trust has my route or general location, and I can share my progress privately where appropriate. The difference is that I’m not broadcasting my whereabouts publicly while I’m still out alone.
For me, it’s simply another small layer of solo hiking safety. Social media can wait until I’m safely home, back at the car or well away from where I’ve been staying.
Conclusion
Hiking alone and wild camping can feel daunting when you first start, but good preparation makes a huge difference. For me, solo hiking safety is less about being afraid of what might go wrong and more about planning properly, carrying the right equipment and being prepared to change my plans when I need to.
Over the years, hiking and wild camping alone have given me some of my best experiences outdoors. I still treat every trip differently: I check the conditions, make sure someone knows where I’m going, and never assume reaching the summit is more important than getting back safely.
If you’re new to hiking alone, start with straightforward routes, build your confidence gradually and learn what feels comfortable for you. You don’t have to begin with a remote mountain or an overnight wild camp.
Solo Hiking Safety FAQs
Is it safe to hike alone?
Yes, hiking alone can be safe if you plan your route carefully, check the weather, carry appropriate equipment and stay within your experience and ability. Solo hiking involves additional risk because no one is immediately beside you if something goes wrong, so preparation and knowing when to change your plans are especially important.
Is solo hiking safe for beginners?
Beginners can hike alone, but I would start with well-marked, straightforward routes in areas you know or that are easy to navigate. Build your confidence gradually before attempting longer, more remote or technically difficult walks by yourself.
Should I tell someone where I’m going when hiking alone?
Yes. When I’m hiking alone, I make sure someone knows where I’m going, the route I intend to follow and roughly when I expect to return. If my plans change significantly and I can contact them, I let them know.
What should I carry when hiking alone?
At a minimum, I carry suitable clothing and waterproofs, food and water, navigation equipment, a charged phone, a head torch, basic first aid supplies and emergency equipment appropriate for the route. On more remote walks I also carry my Garmin inReach satellite communicator.
What happens if I have no phone signal while hiking?
I carry a satellite communicator on more remote trips because I may not have mobile signal. Compatible iPhones also offer Emergency SOS via satellite in the UK. However, neither should replace proper route planning, navigation skills, or appropriate emergency equipment.
Is it safe to wild camp alone?
Wild camping alone can be a brilliant experience, but I take additional precautions when I’m staying out overnight. I choose my location carefully, check the weather, make sure someone knows my plans, carry enough food and water and avoid publicly sharing my exact camping location while I’m still there.
What to Do in a Mountain Emergency
If you need Mountain Rescue in England or Wales, dial 999 or 112, ask for Police, then ask for Mountain Rescue. Be ready to give your location, incident details, and contact number, and stay where you are until the rescue team contacts you. If you have hearing or speech difficulties, you can use the emergencySMS service to contact 999 by text, but you must register before you need it. Mountain Rescue advises texting “register” to 999 and following the instructions.
Subscribe to my monthly newsletter for more hiking routes, gear reviews, and adventure tips—delivered straight to your inbox! Click here.
If you haven’t already, consider downloading the Ordnance Survey App. It lets you import GPX routes directly and mirrors the paper maps you should always carry as a backup. I use this app to plan all my hikes, and it’s an essential tool for navigating the great outdoors.
Related Solo Hiking & Wild Camping Guides
The Ultimate Guide to Solo Hiking in The UK: Everything You Need to Know
Top 10 Wild Camping Tips for Women (That Actually Make a Difference)
Very relevant for the wild-camping side of this post, especially because it covers safety, choosing a pitch and having a check-in system.
Disclaimer: These are the things I do to stay safe, and I'm not saying they are foolproof or will keep you safe. It is just what I do! My biggest suggestion is to go on a mountain training day so you can learn the skills you need to stay safe, mainly navigation. Please contact me if you think anything in this article is incorrect.
Comments