Hiking Trailhead

A Trailhead is the point at which a trail begins. So, here is where your path to an adventure of hiking begins. With little more than shoes on your feet and a bottle of water, you can be a hiking dude too! But, by using this online hiking tutorial, you will learn all you need to know about the art of hiking.

If you're just starting to hike, you probably have lots of questions. If you have some that are not answered in the following pages, please drop me an email and I'll see if I can help you out.

Hike On, Dude!

Hiking Benefits
Find out all the great reasons to hike, from the beauty of nature to appreciation of modern conveniences.

Get Ready to Hike
You have a responsibility to prepare your mind and body before a rigorous hike. Learn how to evaluate your current abilities and get in shape for longer hikes and get your spirit toughened up for the challenge.

Plan the Hike, Hike the Plan
Before your foot ever touches dirt, your plan needs to be complete.

Being a Beast of Burden
Depending on your hiking plan, you may just need a fanny pack with water and a snack or a full pack with survival gear. Knowing when each is needed is the trick.

Trail Etiquette
In the most isolated places, you'll be completely alone. But, on most hikes you will meet other hikers and occasionally horses and other animals. Courtesy and common sense will make these encounters safe and simple.

Have a question about Hiking Basics? Just Ask!

Read more about Essential Hiking Gear, Water Needs, or Critical Hiking Skills

All Comments:

Oct 01, 2012 - Gary Murphy

Nice site. I share it with my scouts as a quick and easy resource. Hike on Dude! See you on the Trail!

Feb 01, 2013 - Redzuan Rasul

what purpose to join hiking? taking a rare photograph (if you expert in camera), take a sampel of venom (haha), challenge your body stamina, or what else? You are hardly suffer at the strange world, but your family staying enjoy the life at confort bed, watching TV and drinking a cold water at home... :(

Jul 18, 2013 - James P

Your site is so helpful, I'm new at hiking and I've learned so many things reading through your website! Thank you!

Nov 11, 2013 - Scott

I have enjoyed reading the page and wanted your opion on a problem i am haveing. I will be going on my first trek to the Everest base camp in the spring. I have purchased two pairs of hiking boots which i have broken in the past year. The first pair is a water proof omni heat Columbia boot which keeps me warm and is completley waterptoof and the next is a pair of Kenns which are more ventilated. I find the Keens to be much more comfortable and less swelling in my feet at the end of a day hike, though i like the protection that the Columbia boots provide. For this trek to the EBC whould you go with comfort or protection?

Nov 12, 2013 - Hiking Dude

@Scott - I would recommend you discuss boot choice with the outfitter you're using for your expedition. But, if it were me, I would go with protection over comfort on such an exposed trek.

Jan 08, 2014 - Man Sze

Love this site, it is super helpful for me as a starter hiker! Now I am feeling less nervous about my solo trip and start to feel more confident in my planning.

Apr 28, 2018 - Kimberly Wisser

I'm looking for information on training for hikes at higher altitudes. I've been having trouble at even 7,000 ft. Is that normal? I figure I can start doing some interval training and try to do increasingly longer hikes at 7,000 ft. And above. Probably can only do that once a week. Any other suggestions?

Ask a Question

Find more Hiking Resources at www.HikingDude.com