1. Share Your Plans with Friends and/or Family

Before setting out, share your route with a close friend and/or family member and ask them to check on you. Seeing as you’re leaving for a day hike, ask them to call the authorities if you’re not back/haven’t checked in by nightfall.

2. Always Pack Extra

I’m not saying you should pack your entire wardrobe with you, but it’s not at all pleasant (not to mention healthy) to hike in wet clothes after being surprised by a short bout of rain. Or accidentally falling in a river. Or simply sweating through your clothes. You never know when you need an extra shirt.

3. Don’t Pack Food that Spoils Easily or Emits a Strong Smell

Canned food and trail mix is the best way to go. However, exceptions can be made during a day hike if you’re not particularly fond of anything that comes out of a can (college ruined it for me).

If you want to pack anything else, opt for sandwiches with hard cheese, hard-boiled eggs, or smoked meat. However, if you do that, do keep in mind that walking in the sun can (and more often than not will) spoil food.

Also, don’t forget that you’re sharing your walk with a lot of wild animals. Some may even be attracted to the smell of that delicious baloney sandwich.

4. Respect Hiking Etiquette

There’s a lot to say here, but I’ll try to keep it as short as possible.

Don’t litter.

When nature calls, get off the beaten path and don’t leave toiletries behind. Put them in a bag and dispose of them properly.

Be mindful of the environment and watch your every step. You never know when you could stumble upon an egg, a very small creature, or a very fragile plant.

Respect other hikers by keeping a safe distance.

5. Lose the Headphones

If you’re planning a trip all by yourself, try not to use technology except when you really have to. Nature is a spectacle in itself, try to enjoy the way the sun shines through the leaves, the song of the birds, and the smell of the forest.

Also, do keep in mind that wearing headphones while hiking is the equivalent of snuffing one of your senses. And I don’t think I can stress this enough, you need to keep your wits about you while exploring the great outdoors.