In order to maintain a positive outdoor experience for you and your fellow hikers, it’s important to know and follow proper trail etiquette. By heeding a simple set of hiking rules, practicing basic manners, and exercising common trail courtesies, you are not only creating an positive atmosphere but protecting nature in the process.
Understanding and implementing the following hiking etiquette rules on your adventures will ensure that our future generations can continue to see and enjoy the same beautiful trails. Together, we can construct a better experience and maintain a clean environment for years to come.
Welcome to Trail Etiquette 101! In this guide, you’ll learn the basic rules of hiking that every hiker should know and follow. You’ll learn who has the right of way on trails, trail etiquette with dogs, how to respect fellow hikers, wildlife, and landscapes, and some common courtesies on the trail!
Trail Etiquette 101
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Hiking Right of Way: Who Has the Right of Way on Trails?
First, let’s talk about right of way! Who has the right of way on trails?
It’s common to share trails with a variety of different recreators: bikers, trail runners, horseback riders, and of course, other hikers. People are enjoying the trails in different ways, so as hikers, we need to understand who has the right of way in each unique situation.
Before we jump into right of way, let me first give you a visual. This right-of-way triangle below simplifies everything. If everyone follows this, traffic jams will be avoided, and things will move like a well-oiled machine.
Downhill Hikers Vs. Uphill Hikers
Downhill hikers should always yield to uphill hikers. Meaning, downhill hikers should step to the side when uphill hikers are approaching them.
There are a couple of reasons for this.
- One, uphill hikers are working harder, exerting more energy, and are usually more focused than downhill hikers.
- Two, uphill hikers typically concentrate on the ground directly in front of them, while downhill hikers have a larger range of vision. Because of this, downhill hikers can usually spot an uphill hiker coming their way quicker than an uphill hiker can spot a downhill hiker.
What if two hikers traveling in the same direction want to pass each other?
Uphill hikers who are trying to pass another uphill hiker should wait until the trail is wide enough before kindly announcing their presence and asking to pass.
Downhill hikers who are trying to pass other downhill hikers should do the same.
As a common courtesy, always keep to the right side of the trail (just as drivers do on the road) so that faster hikers can announce their presence and pass on the left.
Bikers Vs. Hikers and Horses
While technically bikers need to yield to hikers and horses, it is common trail courtesy for hikers to yield to bikers.
Since bikers move faster, it is more difficult for them to stop.
As hikers, you should always be paying attention to your surroundings. You can listen for approaching bikers (who should be using their bell or voice to announce their presence) and react quickly by stepping aside to let them safely pass.
Hikers Vs. Horses
Hikers always need to yield to horses (and any other stock). If you hear or see one approaching from either direction, step to the side to allow it to pass.
If you’re on a trail with a steep drop-off on one side (such as the Grand Canyon), make sure to step to the opposite side of the drop-off. This is so the animal doesn’t knock you over the edge!
Be aware that horses scare easily, so never quietly approach a horse from behind. Announce your presence so as not to startle the animal.
Hikers Vs. Trail Runners
Hikers should always yield to trail runners. Meaning, hikers should step aside to allow trail runners to pass. This allows trail runners to maintain their pace.
Groups Vs. Solo Hikers
If you are hiking in a group, stay to the right in a single-file line to avoid crowding the trail. Allow faster hikers to pass on the left.
As a general rule, solo hikers should yield to groups. However, if the group is moving more slowly than the solo hiker, the group should kindly allow the faster solo hiker to pass.
What is Trail Etiquette for Dogs?
Okay, let’s move on to trail etiquette for dogs! Below, I’ll share the common courtesies for hiking with your dog.
Leash Your Pet
It’s important to leash your pet even if leashes aren’t required. Most dog-friendly trails do post signs, reminding hikers to keep pets on a six-foot (or shorter) leash. If the sign is absent or you choose not to leash your pet, you won’t be kicked off the trail, but you may get some looks.
Unleashed pets are frowned upon for a couple of reasons.
One, dog encounters with bears, mountain lions, and coyotes are higher when unleashed. If a hiker encounters a bear, the dog is less at risk when leashed because the hiker can reel the leashed dog away from the dangerous wildlife. Dogs may feel empowered to approach wildlife, or vice versa, if they are untethered.
And two, though your dog may be friendly, not all dogs are this way. Your dog may pass another less friendly dog, and a confrontation could ensue. Plus, not everyone wants a dog running at them!
So to eliminate 99% of these potentially dangerous situations, leash your dog.
READ NEXT: How to Hike Safely With Your Dog
Pick Up Pet Waste
Picking up after your pet is important, not just for maintaining a trail’s cleanliness, but for the safety of other dogs and wildlife. Dog waste can be full of disease, causing harm to other pups or wildlife that may encounter the pile.
Waste also won’t break down very quickly, and it’s not fun for humans to step in. So do your fellow hikers and four-legged friends a favor: pick up the poop!
Know the Rules Before You Go
Not all trails and parks are dog-friendly, so make sure to do your research before you go.
National Parks are notorious for prohibiting dogs, but I’ve written an article that reveals the most dog-friendly National Parks in the USA! Make sure to give it a read!
Respect the Landscape, Wildlife, and Other Hikers
Next, let’s dive into a very important part of trail etiquette: respect! Respect for the landscape, wildlife, and other hikers.
Respect the Landscape
First, let’s discuss respecting the landscape. How can you do this?
One, stick to the trail. Trails are designed and maintained so that the land remains protected and preserved. Trampling on off-trail grounds could ruin a fragile habitat or destroy precious plant life. Stay on the trails unless otherwise marked or advised.
READ NEXT: Trail Anatomy 101
Two, don’t litter. Leaving trash on the trails not only looks unsightly but could also attract unwanted attention from wildlife. Wildlife will begin to linger around trails and pester humans for more food. Sadly, this could lead to aggressive wildlife behavior and potentially, euthanasia.
Three, don’t pluck wildflowers or carve trees. These are things I see way too often. Rocks and wildflowers are not souvenirs. And trees are not journals. Leave everything exactly the way you found.
Public lands are gifts to the public. We are granted full access to millions of acres of desert, mountains, rainforests, waterfalls, volcanoes, lakes, canyons, glaciers, rivers, caves, and so much more.
In order to preserve these natural landscapes, we all need to treat the areas with respect so they’re around for generations to come.
READ NEXT: How to Practice the Leave No Trace Principles When Hiking and Camping
Respect the Wildlife
Never approach, feed, or harass wildlife, and never tamper with their natural habitat. After all, we are in their home.
I have an entire guide about bear safety, including how to prepare for a hike and set up camp in bear country, how to react to a bear encounter, and more!
Respect Other Hikers
Your fellow hikers deserve respect just as the landscape and the wildlife do.
When passing by other hikers and their dogs, throw a hand up in a greeting, ask if a dog is friendly and wants to be pet, or strike up a conversation if you desire. At the very least, smile or wave. I find that friendly interactions with fellow hikers enhance the overall experience.
Going to the Bathroom on the Trail
You’re probably thinking, “What does this have to do with trail etiquette?” It has everything to do with it! Since 99% of trails don’t have pit toilets on the actual trail, most hikers will inevitably have to go to the bathroom on the trail.
But the key is not to go on the actual trail. Let’s get into it.
First, before you start your hike, try to use the restroom or pit toilet that’s available at the trailhead or at a nearby visitor center or ranger station.
But if you’re on trail and need to go (which, spoiler alert, will inevitably happen), here’s what to do:
Take your toilet kit (which should be preloaded with pre-torn squares of toilet paper, a pee cloth, hand sanitizer, a trowel, and a poop bag) and find a spot to pee/poop that is at least 200 feet from trails, campsites, and water sources.
For pee, women can use a Kula cloth. This will eliminate the need for toilet paper in these situations.
For poop, you either have to dig a cathole using a trowel, poop in the hole, and pack out your toilet paper OR go in a poop bag and pack everything out. Which one you do will depend on the location’s rules and regulations. Always check the rules before heading to the trail.
All toilet paper must be packed out.
I wrote an entire blog post on outdoor hygiene tips for hikers and campers. It goes over hygiene essentials to bring and to leave at home, hygiene basics like brushing teeth, peeing, and pooping outdoors, dealing with cramps, bathing outdoors, and more!
Common Courtesies on the Trail
Follow these common courtesies, and your fellow hikers will appreciate you!
Use “Inside Voices” Outdoors
Keeping a low voice will ensure that wildlife is not disturbed and fellow hikers can enjoy nature. Disrupting the calming aura of the woods can hurt someone’s experience or startle an animal.
If you are in bear country, on the other hand, noise is encouraged to keep the bears away. Just be mindful of your fellow hikers and don’t yell, sing loudly, or shout profanities.
Silence Your Phones
It’s totally fine to have your phone with you when hiking. After all, there are many navigational benefits to it! But keep it on silent so that you don’t disturb other hikers and wildlife.
Don’t Blast Music
Blasting music through your phone or Bluetooth speaker is discouraged on the trails for a few reasons.
- Wildlife relies on natural sounds for survival. They might not be able to communicate or navigate with loud music blaring.
- Music can be a safety hazard. With loud music, you might not be able to hear nearby wildlife, calls for help, etc.
- Music disturbs other hikers who just want to soak in the sounds of nature on their hike.
New to Hiking? Start Here!
I’ve got many guides on the blog that will help get you outside and onto the trails!
- Hiking for Beginners: 5 Easy Steps to Start Hiking
- Is Hiking Safe? 9 Simple Ways to Stay Safe on the Trail
- 5 Tips For Hiking in the Rain
- How to Practice the Leave No Trace Principles
- What to Wear Hiking in the Summer (As a Woman)
- 7 Fall Hiking Tips
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