We’ve all been through this before, out for a hike enjoying a nice day and awesome scenery, when along comes someone barreling down the (narrow) trail without so much as a “Thank You” or simple nod as you quickly jump out of the way to avoid collision. Like most sports, there are a few “rules” to go by when out on the trail, though they can be better classified as tips and guidelines to make everyone’s trail experiences more enjoyable. We’ve put together this quick guide on basic hiking and trail etiquette. No matter if you are going for a short 3-hour hike or a weeklong backpacking trip, the following are good rules to live by.
- Stay on the trail. This may seem like stating the obvious, but it’s one of the most important rules. Cutting your own switchbacks can lead to erosion and destruction of plant life around the trail, especially in environments with delicate ecosystems (example: the meadows at above Paradise in Mt. Rainier National Park).
- If you’re moving slow, stay to the right (if possible on wider paths). If the trail is too narrow for someone to pass on the left safely while you are still moving, take a moment to step aside and let them pass.
- If you stop, find a safe place where you can pull off from the trail so that you aren’t blocking traffic in either direction.
- Uphill hikers have the right of way. Like we mentioned before, we’ve all run into this scenario. While some hikers making the ascent will not have a problem stopping for a short break while you pass on your way down, it’s their call whether to continue or take a rest.
- In groups: hike single file and be attentive to solo hikers or those in pairs wanting to pass to avoid clogging up the trail.
- Keep conversations at a reasonable volume–people outside your hiking group might not want to hear about your annoying coworkers, blind date gone awry, etc.
- Follow the Leave No Trace principles and pack out what you pack in.
- In snow: avoid descending in someone else’s kicked steps–someone worked very hard to make them! Sometimes this can be difficult to avoid if conditions force you to follow this route but in most situations you should be able to descend directly next to the steps.
- My personal favorite: a smile, hello, or nod never hurt anyone on the trail. This can also help to start up a conversation about trail conditions (washed out trail, deep snow, animal sightings, etc) up ahead if you are on your way down and want to warn other hikers.
Of course, these are just a few guidelines to keep our trails safe and help you (and others) enjoy the hike. Not everyone you run into on the trail will smile, stop to chat, or let you pass when you want to. You may never be able to avoid the rude hiker that hogs the trail and talks loud enough to shares the office gossip with everyone in a 500 foot radius, but you can avoid being that person yourself, and try to remember the polite people you do meet on the trails and the beautiful scenery you take in.
This is very good list. Some I knew but I did learn a couple of new ones. Thanks
Thanks for the hiking info, I enjoy hiking a lot and am developing a site Utah Hiking and I will probable include some similar info and a post back to your site.
Great info Sarah! I would also add: If you have a 2-way radio or any sound devices, don’t put the volume at max so that it can be heard 1 mile around, just for showing-off. And it not necessary to use it if your buddy is 3 feet apart.
Just a tip I learned from a horse-rider on a tandem horse/bike/walk trail. Speaking to the rider or the horse lets the horse know that that funny looking thing with the pack and equipment is a person and nothing to fear. Also bikers the horse riders and the walkers have the right of way over us, the bikers.
I did not know about the uphill right of way, I usually just stepped aside (cause up hill momentum is hardest to maintain). Good things to learn and be reminded. Thanks for the page and the informative posts.
I am not sure that this is a “rule” or not, but since I often hike with my dog and I know not everyone is a “dog” person, I step off-trail, put my dong in a sit or down position (or try to!) and wait for the others to pass no matter if I am going up or down hill. My dog is not trust-worthy yet off-leash so I always have her on leash also. Is there something else I should do for good trail relations?
Completely disagree with slow party/passing suggestion. As in skiing and mountain biking the slower party has the right of way, not the faster party. The same rules apply in boating and automobiles as well.
It is the responsibility of the faster party to find a way to pass safely. The only responsibility of the slower party is to keep right where possible. If not possible, the slow party is under no obligation to move over.
Actually, it’s not the slower party that has the right of way in skiing. It’s the party further down the hill has the right of way, although the person that stops suddenly in the middle of a run is just as much in the wrong. That said, if you’re stopped and looking to start skiing, look up hill to make sure you’re not going to run into anyone when you start moving (see: http://ski.lovetoknow.com/Rules_of_Skiing).
As for hiking, it’s just nicer to let a faster person go by you. Would you rather have someone huffing and puffing behind you while you hike or would you like to let them pass and you both have a fun time?
I always forget if it’s up or down hill that has the right of way so I usually step aside if I can. It seems to make more sense for downhill to have the right of way though since it can be harder for them to stop. Anyone know the actual rational for uphill getting the right of way? Knowing why will probably help me remember.
I would assume it has to do with the uphill travelers keeping a certain pace. Sometimes when going uphill you just have to keep that momentum going. Downhill, that is less of a factor since the going is less taxing on the cardiovascular end. It’s like holding the door for someone carrying something heavy. That’s, at least, always been my sense of it.
Thankyou for the trail rules. Most of these I already practice anyway. Common courtesy, common sense.