Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

Most everybody hikes for their own personal experience – be it adrenaline-fueled exercise or a contemplative walk – but that doesn’t mean you can completely ignore your fellow hikers.

Trail etiquette is incredibly important, especially here in the Pacific Northwest as more and more people crowd trailheads this spring and summer, but what does it mean to hike politely?

Based on my own experience and conversations with fellow hikers, I’ve rounded up a few hiking dos and don’ts to keep in mind this season. Don’t think of them as hard-and-fast rules, but rather strong suggestions, pleas for politeness, requests for basic respect. We all share the same trails, so let’s treat each other well while we’re out there.

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Olivia Bucks/The Oregonian

1. Know the right of way

For hikers encountering other hikers, the general rule of thumb is that the person going downhill yields to the person going uphill. On mixed-use trails, mountain bikers yield to hikers, and everybody yields to horses.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

2. Step aside to let people pass

Just like driving on a freeway, it’s good to let faster hikers and trail runners pass. It doesn’t have to be complicated, simply step aside when you sense, see or hear someone coming up behind you. For those doing the passing, make your presence known with a simple “hello” or “excuse me” when you approach.

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Stephanie Yao Long/The Oregonian

3. Be aware of your surroundings

There can be a lot of things happening on a trail, and while that can get overwhelming, a general awareness is important while you’re hiking. It can be so easy to get caught up in the scenery – or in taking pictures of the scenery – that you can lose track of the trail, fellow hikers and the conditions all around you.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

4. Stay on the trail

Yes, a lot of people create small side trails to hidden viewpoints and alcoves. Yes, a lot of people cut switchbacks to make the trek faster. That doesn’t mean you should join them. Every trail is impeccably designed, and every twist and turn is made that way for a reason. Respect the creators and stick to the trail.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

5. Leave no trace

Leave no trace means leave no trace. It means if you bring something in, you take it out with you. It means tossing your apple core into your pack and not the woods, taking your bag of dog poop with you, and, generally speaking, not treating nature as your personal dump.

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Stephanie Yao Long/The Oregonian

6. Be mindful of your dogs

Dogs love going on hikes. That’s a treat for dog owners, but it’s not necessarily a treat for other people. For every hiker that lights up at the site of a bandana-wearing doggo trotting up the trail, there’s another one who tenses up. Be respectful of other people by obeying the leash rules and leave your pup at home when hiking trails where they’re not allowed.

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Neil Turner/Flickr

7. Leave the music at home

Today we live in a technological wonderland, where clip-on blue tooth speakers let you take your music anywhere – but please, please, do not take it on the trail. Most people love listening to music, but absolutely nobody likes listening to somebody else's music while hiking. Want to hear your tunes instead of the calming sound of nature? Bring your headphones.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

8. Obey trail closures

Trail closures are in effect for a good reason – typically for your own safety. Crossing into closed areas puts you in a dangerous situation, which could end with injury or require a rescue. That could extend the closure or lead to stricter closures in the future, which is a serious bummer for everyone.

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Jamie Hale/The Oregonian

9. Be nice to fellow hikers

If you’re comfortable with social interaction on the trail, it’s always nice to offer a simple “hello” or “have a nice hike” to your fellow hikers. Even a friendly smile will suffice. This isn’t necessarily an invitation to make friends, but it’s a nice thing to do, and it can also be a safety precaution: If something happens on your hike, it’s helpful to have other people remember seeing you.

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Terry Richard/The Oregonian

10. Step off the trail for your pit stop

When you need a breather or it’s time for a break, step off the trail at a convenient clearing instead of unloading your pack on the trail. The same goes for relieving yourself: If you need to pee in the middle of a hike, find a spot where it’s safe to head a short distance into the woods.

Have more etiquette tips? Questions about how to handle thorny issues on the trail? I like to think that our comment section is a safe space for that discussion. Let’s talk it out.

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Terry Richard/The Oregonian

NORTHWEST TRAVEL GUIDES

Dangers of hiking: From wildlife to poisonous plants to loose rock, here are 10 dangers of hiking in Oregon.

Oregon's best backpacking: Extend your day hike for a longer trek through Oregon's best wilderness, on these incredible backpacking adventures.

Hikes in the Gorge that are open: A lot of trails in the Columbia River Gorge are still closed, but there are plenty more that are open.



--Jamie Hale | jhale@oregonian.com | @HaleJamesB

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