6 Ways to Stay Safe While Hiking Alone, According to Outdoor Experts

Going on a hike with your partner can be a great way to move your body and spend some quality time together—until your partner pulls ahead, leaving you in the dust. This phenomenon—dubbed “Alpine divorce”—refers specifically to one person leaving the other behind while hiking, potentially leaving their partner in a vulnerable position. The idea can be traced back to a 1893 short story, but has recently been popularized on social media.

To be sure, not everyone alone on the trail ends up solo unexpectedly—some people choose to hike without others—and time alone in nature can be incredibly restorative. But factors like confusing trailheads and limited provisions mean that going alone also comes with unique risks.

Continue reading to learn more about staying safe while hiking alone, written by Allison Forsyth.