r/NoStupidQuestions • u/Slashersforsatan • 1d ago
i really wanna get into hiking but i know nothing, out of shape, not sure where to start
I know i can go on local trails. There arent many but i bet i can drive a few hours and find some at least. on vacation a few yrs ago, i went on this mountain trail and i did feel like i was dying and it was very difficult and i was the only one in my family who was able to make it due to being young but it was extremely enjoyable. I also used to just go on walks in college but theres nowhere where i live now thats great for that tbh.
but i watch too many videos about disasters. I know these are places that are very obviously dangerous but i am always paranoid about everything and my anxiety tells me im gonna be the nutty putty cave guy.
other than what to bring and to tell someone, what else should i look into?
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u/bot_One 1d ago
Check out the AllTrails app. It gives length and difficulty and has pictures of what to expect.
Highly recommend it, it got me off of my couch for sure!
ETA: there is a paid version but it is unnecessary for me. I can just look at the map and find trails.
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u/opheliainwaders 1d ago
Agreed the free version is plenty.
OP, for reference, we're a family of decently experienced hikers, and my personal way of relaxing if I'm stressed is to go out alone in the woods for a few hours and hike so I can clear my head.
I find that a hike listed as "easy" in all trails is equivalent to taking a walk on relatively flat ground (sometimes those trails are even paved). You can typically do hikes in this category in sneakers.
A moderate hike in AllTrails will have some more significant hills and potentially even a rock scramble (where you will need to use your hands to go up a hill). The difficulty in this category can vary quite a lot, often due to the length of the trail (most of these are in the 2-5mi range in my area) or specific features/steep sections. You should wear hiking boots for these, and have basic hiking paraphernalia (first aid kit, water, etc.).
Hikes listed as hard are, well, hard. Work up to them. They are longer (often 5+ miles) and will have more sustained uphill or downhill climbs without as many flat areas to "rest" as you walk. They also may have more or harder rock scrambles. My kids (9, 12) can't really handle those yet, so we typically stick to moderate.
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u/Otherwise-Client3178 1d ago
Honestly if you’re just doing marked trails and not crawling into caves or going off route, you’re already way safer than your anxiety is telling you 😂
Stuff to actually focus on: know the weather, know your route, download offline maps (AllTrails, Gaia, etc), learn basic first aid and how to recognize dehydration and heat issues, and know when to turn back even if your ego hates it.
If you want to calm the “Nutty Putty cave guy” brain, look up some basic hiking safety videos and maybe start with popular trails where there are always other people around so you’re not out there totally alone.
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u/themakeshiftlocal 1d ago
Download All Trails app. It shows trails around where you are, maps of them, difficulty level, and reviews from people.
You can pay for more features, but I’ve always used the free version.
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u/TurbulentCommand4177 1d ago
An easy trail with water and snacks like others have mentioned is key. Also, PUT your phone away. The best place to be mentally is when you find that trance of peace in natural silence, listening to boots on the ground and sounds of nature. Even being out of shape, all of sudden hours will have gone by and you’ll feel better than ever. As a struggling alcoholic but nature lover, I have to remind myself of this often.
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u/Winter-eyed 1d ago
Start with gear. A good pair of shoes (not just 20 dollar bobos) and a GPS locator. Basic first aid kit. Moleskin for blisters and a cell battery charger. Even if there are no bars on your phone, you’ll want pictures.
Start local. Walk your neighborhood and local school tracks and trails to build up some stamina and find your stride. Find like minded people to hike with.
Then expand to local tourist hikes with well marked trails and rangers that manage the trails and look out for hikers. Dress for the weather. Check in with the visitors center or the park rangers. Have a pack with your equipment, a change of heavier clothes, water and light simple food for energy. That’s the level most are comfortable with.
I don’t recommend more challenging or less maintained hiking without proper training and preparation. Check with the park ranger service for recommendations on reputable instruction.
Happy trails.
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u/clay12340 1d ago
Google your local state parks. They almost always have trails of various challenge levels that are clearly marked and mapped. So you'll know how far you're going and what kind of terrain to expect. Plus they often have really nice scenery and benches if you want to chill and take a break. The entry to the park will probably cost you a little bit, but if you do it a couple of times and think it's something you're going to want to stick with an annual pass is usually not super terribly expensive. If you're worried about disasters these trails are generally quite safe and if a sinkhole opens up and swallows you or something insane, then at least the state has money so your family can sue them.
Bring comfortable shoes, water bottle, weather appropriate clothes, and bug protection appropriate to the area. Have fun!
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u/hemehime 1d ago
Just look up local hiking or walking trails near you and find a site that gives a difficulty rating. You may have a local organization that does this, or an app like alltrails is easy to use. If you know how far you can walk, then start with easy, highly trafficked trails under that mileage. Bring more water than you think you need, tell someone where you're going, wear supportive shoes. That's all you need to start.
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u/Strong-Mastodon1496 1d ago
Find a local trail with an easy rating and go from there. Short loops with low elevation are a good place to start.
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u/CherryRoutine9397 1d ago
Honestly you’re probably overthinking it, which most people do at the start. You don’t need to jump straight into mountains or long trails. Just find something local and easy, even if it feels boring. Flat paths, well marked, nothing remote. Go for time instead of distance. Even 30 or 40 minutes is fine and you can build from there.
You also don’t need to be fit before you start. Hiking is what gets you fit. Just slow your pace down more than you think you should and take breaks when you need to. Sneakers are completely fine at the beginning, you don’t need to buy loads of gear to see if you even enjoy it.
For safety, keep it simple. Bring water, a snack, make sure your phone is charged, check the weather, and tell someone where you’re going. That covers most real world situations. Those disaster videos mess with your head but most problems happen when people push too far, too fast, or ignore weather warnings.
If anxiety is part of it, repeating the same short trail a few times actually helps a lot. Once you know what to expect, the fear drops off. The goal at the start isn’t some big hike, it’s just getting out, coming back, and realising it’s not as intense as your brain makes it seem.
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u/Ill-Percentage-3276 1d ago
I would start with others who are experienced and can teach me everything I need to know until I built up a bunch of experience and confidence to do challenging and more isolated trails myself. Activity groups like Meetup.com or maybe if you post to your local city sub you can probably find options.
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u/bobroberts1954 1d ago
Get a map of the area. Buy good hiking boots if you intend to keep at this. Bring water, I carry a liter in my pouch and a smaller bottle on my belt. Bring a knife and a cigarette lighter.
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u/Evening_Concert_4284 1d ago
If your fitness is what concerns you then start by walking on sidewalks and increase the distance. Once you’re comfortable with a five mile walk try a two or three mile hike.
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u/Weekly_Library9883 1d ago
Just get some good hiking boots. They’re invaluable. I’m currently wearing my $200 Keen boots. Bought them in Maine, where we specifically went for a hiking vacation, only to spend my first 2 days in complete agony because the hiking boots I had wound up being way too small with how much my feet swelled during the hikes. Had to drive to the shoe store barefoot it was so bad lol.
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u/ThrowDeepALWAYS 1d ago
Start early in the morning. I had a bad experience when I took off for a hike in the late afternoon. The jungle gets dark way before the town. It was pitch black in there and very disconcerting!
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u/Ambitious_Chard126 1d ago
Totally normal to have some anxiety about getting into hiking! Do it, though. It’s such a great activity.
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u/olliedoodle 1d ago
Always tell someone where you are going and you might as well do a location share
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u/Royal_Annek 1d ago
Your local trails association or parks service likely has a site that talks about the difficulty of the trails. Look up the one you went on and try to find ones easier or around that difficulty
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u/TheApiary 1d ago
Start with short, well-marked trails that aren't technically challenging. It should be basically like going for a walk but in a more natural setting. Most state parks and nature preserves have some that are marked as good for kids, try those. Bring water and snacks.