If you’ve never been lost on a hiking trail before, then you’re either someone who does not hike regularly or you’re just too darn lucky! People get lost on a hiking trail more often than you think, and it’s not always because they did something wrong during the hike. But rather, in many cases it’s because they did not do something they should have done BEFORE venturing out into the wilderness. We’ll go over some of the reasons why people get lost in the wild, a few essential tips to avoid getting lost while hiking, and – equally important – what to do when this inevitably happens.
Why do people get lost?
There are many reasons why people get lost while hiking. However, it’s important to note that hiking is a widespread hobby and millions of people go hiking into the mountains, forests and national parks on a weekly basis. Therefore, by no means am I trying to deter you from going hiking, but rather trying to equip you with the knowledge that will help you avoid getting lost while hiking.
Lack of proper planning
Very often, when people get lost on a hike, it’s mostly due to the fact that they did not do their homework before showing up in the wilderness. As a result, they might not be aware of some critical information that could help them properly prepare for the hike:
- How many kilometers?
- How much elevation gain?
- What is the weather forecast?
- What is the terrain like and is the trail properly marked?
- Are there any good spots for a lunch break along the trail?
Not paying attention to trail details
When walking, especially long distances, if you’re alone you might get lost in your thoughts. Alternatively, if you’re hiking with other people you might get carried away in a conversation. Consequently, you could take a wrong turn or miss out on a trail sign and end up wandering off trail.
Bad judgment
Inexperienced hikers often get very tired a few hours into the hike. Add to that the feeling of being hungry or thirsty, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a grumpy hiker ready to make huge mistakes. In those situations, they might think they’re better off taking a shortcut – often, an off-trail “shortcut”. This is rarely ever a good decision!
Other reasons
There are plenty of other reasons why people get lost on a hike even when they’ve prepared for it:
- Falling off the trail and getting injured.
- They might be using an outdated map.
- Their GPS device or map might be lost or damaged during the hike.
- Separated from their group as a result of taking a toilet break.
Tips to avoid getting lost while hiking
The following tips can make all the difference between spending some pleasant time out in nature, and being the subject of a search effort by a search-and-rescue (SAR) team.
Do your research
Before you go on a hike, especially to a new area or even a country you’ve never been to, make sure you do your research beforehand. Your research should allow you to figure out a few important things:
Time and distance
Have a clear estimate of the time that will take you to complete the trail. It’s good to know that the average hiker walks 4 km (2.5 mi) per hour. You should also budget time for a lunch break. Also plan for one or two short breaks along the way depending on your fitness level. And if you’re into photography like me, then be sure to add at least an extra hour.
Difficulty
Determine how difficult the trail is and whether you are fit enough for it. Alternatively, decide whether you’re better off choosing a different trail. To do that, consider using the AllTrails app which is an excellent resource for searching for trails. It will tell you the difficulty of the trail, provide you with detailed description and photos of the area. You can also read reviews from other fellow hikers who might have left some valuable practical information about the hike.
The landscape
Study the map of the trail very closely to identify distinct landscapes and landmarks on the map. Equally important, pay attention to sharp turns, lakes, valleys, mountain peaks and river crossings as well as any prominent man-made structures or locations. In addition to AllTrails, blogs can be an excellent source of more information about a trail. If the trail is part of a conservation project, check the official website for up-to-date maps and information. Take mental notes that will help you figure out where you are and in what direction you should be moving while on the trail.
When you research your trail, you will have a general idea of what to expect. This will help you avoid getting lost while hiking. So make sure not to skip the before you go into the mountains!
Use GPS tools to avoid getting lost while hiking
If you have a smartphone, then you already have a GPS device. But, very often in the backcountry, you’ll find yourself without a reliable cellular connection. However, the good news is, GPS does not require cellular connectivity to work. It relies on satellites, not cell towers. So make sure you install GPS navigation apps that allow you to download offline maps and you’re good to go. A couple of apps that I can highly recommend are Gaia GPS and the AllTrails app mentioned above.
One thing to pay attention to when using your phone for GPS navigation is the battery life of your phone. There are a few things you can do to get 5+ days out of a single charge:
- Put your phone in airplane and low power mode.
- Turn off the feature of the app that tracks your hike. This will quickly drain your battery.
- Similarly, configure the app to only engage the GPS when you manually request it.
- Turn off all other apps and prevent them from using location services in the background.
(More tips in our guide on how to conserve phone battery life while hiking)
Besides using your phone for navigation, you can optionally carry a separate GPS device. Choose between a handheld device or a GPS watch such as the Garmin fenix 7 Pro.
Carry a compass & a topographic map (and learn how to use them!)
Software architects do their best to avoid a single point of failure. In other words, there should not be a single component that would bring the whole system down if it fails.
Your phone could fail on you or run out of battery. When that happens, you’re left with no way to figure out where you are and where you need to go. This is why learning the fundamental skills of using a compass and reading a topographic map are crucially important.
I know you might think to yourself “who needs a physical map and a compass in the 21st century?”. But, trust me on this one, these two essential items should always be in your backpack! Also make sure you protect the map from being wet either using a waterproof map case or a ziplock bag.
Stay on the trail to avoid getting lost while hiking
A lot of people are lost simply because they decide to go off-trail. That’s why it’s very important that you do your best to stay on the trail. Quite often, you’ll see colored markers on rocks and trees along the trail which were left by previous hikers. As long as you see these markers, this means you’re still on the right path. Otherwise, backtrack your steps to the last point where you’ve seen them.
Sometimes you might want to step away for the perfect photo opportunity. Or maybe you need to “use the toilet”. When that happens, take note of any distinct features nearby (like a large tree or a sign) as well as the direction in which you’re moving. And if you’re part of a group, be sure to notify someone so they wouldn’t leave you behind.
Pay attention to your surroundings
While walking in the outdoors, try not to get too distracted with your thoughts or with talking to your companions. Focus on any noticeable change in the trail such as a sharp turn or the beginning of an uphill. Similarly, pay attention to different terrains, river crossings, or any trees or rocks that look different. Whenever you come across any of these, keep your intuition in check by correlating what you see in front of you with what you see on the map (we already agreed that you’ll be using navigation tools in the wild. Right?!)
Also pay close attention to the markers left by previous hikers or signs placed strategically by the maintainers of hiking routes in national parks or nature reserves. This is very important in such areas because there often would be different trails that might intersect at multiple spots. You do not want to wander from one trail to another – unless you know what you’re doing and that’s what you’ve planned for.
But what if you DO get lost while hiking?
I was lost while hiking on multiple occasions. But I’ve always managed to find my way back to the trail or somehow ended up back to civilization. Here are some of the things to keep in mind in case you find yourself in such a situation.
Plan for it
You’ve probably heard of Murphy’s law: “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” So it’s always better to assume that you might get lost and be prepared for when it happens.
- Make sure you have the hiking essentials with you every time you go out hiking. It does not matter whether it’s a day hike or a multi-day thru-hike. Those should include snacks & meals, your map and compass, a headlamp, a first aid kit, a fire starter, enough water…etc.
- Always let someone know when and where you are going hiking. You should also notify them when you return safely. In the event where you go missing, they can notify rescuers to start a SAR looking for you. You can also take this a step further and carry a GPS device that allows you to send out an SOS signal to rescue teams in the area.
- In addition to the essentials, it’s always a good idea to pack extra layers of clothing to keep you warm in case you had to stay overnight in the bush. Similarly, pack a few extra snacks to prepare for an emergency. Don’t go overboard but it’s a good idea to throw a couple extra energy or protein bars into your backpack.
- Always charge all of your devices before leaving for your hike. It’s also a good idea to bring a power bank to recharge your devices if you run out of battery.
Make sure you STOP
When you do get lost, it’s important to STOP. This is a popular acronym in the hiking community. It helps you get back on track in the rare event when you go missing outdoors.
Step 1: Stop
Stop hiking and stay calm. Don’t freak out and take off in a direction that makes it more difficult to get back to the trail.
Step 2: Think
Retrace your steps. Take a few minutes to remember the distinctive changes in the trail and landscape we talked about. Are there any landmarks or trail marks that you can remember passing by?
Step 3: Observe
Use your navigation tools and skills to figure out where you are and the direction you should be moving. How far are you from the trail? Is there a nearby river stream that you might decide to follow downhill to safety? Don’t move yet!
Step 4: Plan
Once you’ve calmed down your fears, ask yourself some questions to guide your decision.
- How much food and water do you still have?
- Are you injured, dehydrated or too exhausted?
- How much time do you still have before it gets too dark?
- How long is it going to take your emergency contract to notify the authorities that you went missing?
Answering those questions will help you decide what to do next…
Decide what to do next
Self-rescue
You most likely haven’t wandered off too far away from the trail. Consult your navigation tools and do your best to figure out how to return back to the trail. Walk in the direction you believe would take you there, but time box it. If you walk for 15-30 minutes in that direction and you do not end up on the right path, abort and re-assess.
It’s very important not to let fear get the best of you in such a situation. Keep in mind that you always have the option to wait for rescue.
Stay put and wait for rescue
I understand that this is a tough decision to make, but sometimes it is indeed the best one. You need to properly manage a few things when waiting for a rescue team:
- Move to an open area where you can easily be seen. Don’t stay next to a river because it will make it difficult to hear the rescuers looking for you.
- Manage whatever food you have left to maximize your chances of survival. Eat carbs when you need to exert energy (ex: creating a shelter or searching for other food and water sources). Eat fats before you sleep because they will help keep you warm.
- Staying hydrated is even more important than food. Try to get water however you can. Even if you suspect it’s not clean water. You can deal with water borne illness once you’re rescued, but survival is your number one priority.
- Before you sleep, put on all your clothes and sleep in a fetal position.
Let’s recap how you can avoid getting lost while hiking
Being lost on a hike is an unfortunate event that often happens. Hikers get lost mostly due to the lack of proper planning, not paying attention on the trail or making bad decisions while hiking.
You can avoid getting lost while hiking by doing your research BEFORE the hike. Do carry and learn to using GPS tools as well as the good old compass & map as a backup navigation plan. Also, remember to stay on the trail and pay attention to your surroundings while walking in the wild.
And finally, as a hiker, you should always be prepared for the possibility of getting lost while hiking. Proper planning will maximize your chances of survival regardless of whether you decide to help yourself to safety or stay put and wait for rescue.
Have you ever lost your way on a hike? How did you feel when you first realized you were lost? How did you get back to safety? Share your story in the comments section!