Embracing Solo Hiking
From 16 to 29 August 2021, I completed my first long-distance solo hike, walking the entire East Coast Traila stunning 336-kilometre coastal route near St. John’s. Those fourteen days were filled with emotions, encounters, and discoveries.
Dare to Go on a Solo Adventure
Let me make one thing clear: I am not someone who is free of fear. It’s true that I don’t see solitude as an enemy. I love being alone in nature, moving at my own pace, and making my own decisions. This freedom exhilarates me more than anything. I feel completely in harmony with my surroundings.
Night is different, though. One sound, one crack, one unusual light, and my mind immediately throws me into the movie Blair Witch Project, or in Frenzy,special outdoor edition.
When hiking solo, it’s normal to feel certain fears more intensely, whether they’re rational or not. What matters is learning how to manage them and accept them.
The reward for overcoming your fears is immense. You gain that precious feeling of being able to achieve your goals and live your passions completely on your own, with full independence. It’s an exhilarating feeling.
Choosing the Right Trail for Your First Solo Hike
Which trail should you choose for a
first solo hike? Several criteria must be taken into
consideration. Personally, before choosing a trail
, I take these three elements into consideration.
- Safety: Is this trail far from civilization?
Will I have cell service along the way?
Is this trail regularly used by other hikers?
Are there wild animals that are commonly found near the trails?
- Difficulty: Is this trail known for being difficult?
What is the elevation gain?
Is it dangerous in bad weather?
- The total cost
What is the travel cost to reach the start of the hike?
Am I required to sleep in official campsites?
Will I come across any resupply points during my hike?
Why Hiking The East Coast Trail?
The East Coast Trail met the vast majority of my criteria. In addition to offering breathtaking scenery from start to finish, the risk of encountering a grizzly or any dangerous animal is about the same as running into an elephant on the streets of Montreal.
On this trail, wild camping is allowed, which not only helps reduce the budget but also makes planning much easier. Goodbye to the pressure of having to cover a precise number of kilometres every day!
Planning this hike is made much easier not only thanks to a series of 34 detailed trail maps, but also thanks to a Facebook group (ECT Thru hike -End to End on the East Coast Trail) dedicated exclusively to hikers who complete the entire trail.
Among other things, it includes an Excel file listing water sources, resupply points, and suggested wild camping spots.
The Importance of Comfort Gear
Hiking solo for the first time will definitely push you out of your comfort zone. Some days will be harder than others, both mentally and physically. In those moments, it’s helpful to have what I like to call comfort items.
For me, these comfort items were two power banks to charge my phone and a small satellite phone. Knowing that I would probably feel afraid at night, it reassured me to be able to communicate with my loved ones at any time, even in the sections of the trail where there was no cell service.
Whether it’s a good book to keep yourself entertained, a few extra bottles of water so you don’t run out, or a handful of sweets, comfort items vary from person to person. Of course, these additions will slightly increase the weight of your backpack, but they will likely bring a great deal of joy and reassurance during the most challenging moments of your hike.
A Reflection on My First Solo Hike
One of the most memorable parts of my hike was without a doubt the warm welcome and incredible generosity of Newfoundlanders. I can’t begin to count the number of coffees, snacks, bottles of water, and pieces of advice people offered me along the way. In a small village an hour from St. John’s, two residents even hosted me in their home for a night, completely free of charge!
During my fourteen days on the trail, I experienced a wide range of emotions, from the joy of simply being out there, to the anxiety of facing the night alone, to the pride of completing the trail, and the deep gratitude I felt for the extraordinary people I met along the way.
This experience definitely confirmed my love for long-distance hiking and brought me one step closer to my dream of walking the 3,000 kilometres of the HexaTrek!
Now It’s Your Turn to Begin Your Adventure!