8 Ways I Stay Safe When Solo Hiking with My Toddler

Are you ready to start hiking solo with your kids?

Here are 8 things I ALWAYS do to stay safe when solo hiking with my toddler:

Know Before We Go

I research all that I can, such as: the trail, alerts/conditions, recent wildlife encounters, trail composition, restrooms, stroller-accessibility, etc.

Share My Location

I share my location and trail details with my husband, and sometimes my parents.

Bring Essentials

REI and American Hiking Society both have checklists to consider. Your essentials really depend on the length of the trail, trail conditions, how secluded it is, and weather conditions. A few basics I bring are: navigation, water, sun protection, first aid, knife, spray, air horn, extra food, extra water, and extra clothing. This is changing as we are choosing more challenging trails.

Stay on the Trail

Duh! This aligns with LNT practices too.

Know What to Do in Danger

This means having knowledge on protecting myself against wildlife (i.e. mountain lions), individuals, or elements, if necessary. This includes tactics to not look like prey, how to utilize personal protection, navigating severe elements, and more.

Bring Personal Protection

I bring a knife (or multi tool), air horn, and spray. There are also small devices to make noise to alert wildlife so you don’t spook them.

Trust My Instincts

Sometimes it’s best to turn back, and knowing when to do that and listening to yourself is critical.

NEVER Post My Location Until After We Leave

I have noticed a lot of content creators with large followings posting their location on social media while they are still there. Ultimately, we don’t know the people who follow us, even if you only have old friends and family on your private page. It’s just not a risk I’m willing to take and always suggest not sharing to others as well.