Day Hiking Guide

Getting Started with Hiking

Hiking is the most accessible outdoor activity — no gear license, no technical training, and trails of every difficulty level exist within an hour of almost every city in America.

Choosing a Trail

• AllTrails — The most comprehensive trail database. Filter by distance, difficulty, and proximity.
• TrailLink — Great for rail-trails and converted greenways.
• USDA Forest Service and NPS websites have official trail information for federal lands.

Trail Difficulty Explained

Day Hiking Essentials

Even on a short hike, carry:

• Water (1 liter/hour in summer heat)
• Snacks + emergency food
• Map or downloaded offline trail map
• Headlamp
• First aid kit
• Rain layer
• Emergency blanket

Hiking Safety

• Tell someone your plan — where you're going and when you expect to return.
• Check the weather — morning sunshine can turn to afternoon thunderstorms in mountain areas.
• Turn back early — most accidents happen on the descent when people push through fatigue.