THE SOLO TRAVELLER
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Risk, Readiness and Respect – A Confidence and Safety Series
Dolerite rock stacks along the Three Capes Track, Tasmania. Image courtesy Lonely Planet.
The question of timing
By Michael Webster
Briefly …
The same hiking trail can offer dramatically different experiences depending on the time of year. From weather and daylight hours to water availability, wildlife activity and trail conditions, understanding when to walk can be as important as deciding where to go.
When discussions about hiking preparation take place, attention often focuses on equipment, fitness and navigation. Yet one of the most significant safety decisions is usually made much earlier: choosing when to undertake the walk.
Because conditions on any trail can change substantially throughout the year, the timing of a hike can be as important as the hike itself. A route that is straightforward during one season may become considerably more demanding during another due to heat, snow, flooding, shorter daylight hours or changing weather patterns. Even experienced hikers can find familiar trails presenting very different challenges at different times of year.
This idea sits at the heart of ‘Where to go When: Hiking’, a new guide from Lonely Planet that matches hiking destinations with the months generally considered most suitable for experiencing them. Covering 96 walks across multiple continents, the book highlights how seasonal conditions influence not only safety and accessibility, but also the overall experience of a journey.
From a month-long pilgrimage across the much loved Camino Francés in February, to an extended weekend on Queensland’s Scenic Rim Tail in April, a multi-day trek through the Queen Charlotte Track on New Zealand’s South Island in January, or a four-day coastal journey along South Africa’s Strandloper Trail in November, this curated calendar matches every traveller with the ideal hike.
Each hike is organised by trip length and difficulty, making it easy for beginners and seasoned walkers to find their perfect trail. Along with the where, when and how, this book also answers the “Why?”, revealing what makes each hike truly unmissable through rich inspiration and diverse experiences. Every trail is paired with practical details including accommodation, food, planning, safety and access, along with insights into history, landscapes, wildlife, and the culture of each destination encouraging readers to travel deeper, not just farther.
While every trail requires its own research and preparation, the principle remains consistent. Weather patterns, daylight, terrain conditions and local hazards all influence how a trail is experienced and the risks it may present. Understanding those variables before departure can help hikers make more informed decisions about whether a particular route is suitable for their experience, fitness and expectations.
For solo hikers especially, seasonal planning can be an important part of risk management. Extreme temperatures, rapidly changing weather, reduced daylight and lower visitor numbers can all affect how easily assistance may be accessed should circumstances change unexpectedly. Choosing the right season will not eliminate risk, but it can help ensure that a trail is encountered under conditions that are better suited to you and the journey you hope to undertake.
Tips for solo hikers from Sarah Baxter and Paul Bloomfield, Contributing Authors, Lonely Planet’s ‘Where to go When: Hiking’
Cape to Cape Track, Western Australia. Image courtesy Lonely Planet | Getty Images.
Hiking alone is a special experience: empowering, enchanting and enjoyable. You’re more likely to spot shy wildlife, hear birdsong, and absorb the majesty of the scenery when you’re on your own, and the sense of achievement and wonder at your body’s power is only magnified when hiking solo. But if the joys can be increased, so can the risks. So be extra cautious and well-prepared. These are just a few hints to help you enjoy your next outing alone.
Ensure you know your route well in advance, identifying points along the way where you could access help. Check weather forecasts and transport times to be sure you can get out or home. And be aware of any risks from wildlife or other natural threats, such as bears, snakes, stinging plants and fast-flowing rivers.
Tell someone where you’re going – the exact route – and when you expect to arrive at the end, so they will be aware if you’re very late finishing the hike. You might want to enable a ‘Find my phone’ option for a friend or partner. On many popular trails, there are registration books at the start and end – do sign in (and remember to sign out at the end so you don’t spark a rescue mission!), but don’t post on social media that you’re heading out alone.
Download digital maps in advance, so you’re not using mobile data to access the route. Don’t rely solely on your phone for navigation (and definitely not Google Maps or similar, which are not designed for route-finding on foot). Take a paper map with your route pre-plotted on it and know how to read the chart and compass.
Don’t take risks. If you get injured alone, it could be life-threatening. Be aware of weather conditions and judge whether it’s worth taking a tricky route if an easier alternative is available. Don’t be averse to turning around if you get lost or conditions deteriorate. It’s often better to retrace your steps than risk getting lost, injured or worse.
“Don’t be averse to turning around if you get lost or conditions deteriorate. It’s often better to retrace your steps than risk getting lost, injured or worse.”
Be aware of your surroundings. Wearing headphones can reduce your appreciation of nature as well as your safety. As with all hikes, take warm layers, weatherproof outer clothes, plenty of water, food, a first-aid kit and tick remover, and ideally an emergency blanket/bag and headtorch in case you end up being outside overnight.
Most of all, be confident, be safe, and have fun!
Sarah Baxter is a travel writer and author based in Bath, England, whose latest book is ‘The Inspired Traveller: Our World in 100 Cultural Places’. Sarah loves a sundowner and a hippo and especially loves exploring the world on foot. Paul Bloomfield is a writer and photographer based in England’s West Country. He has trekked, cycled and kayaked on six continents – pedalling through Bhutan and Nicaragua, paddling the Whanganui and Zambezi rivers, and hiking the Alps and the Atlas mountains.
Lonely Planet’s ‘Where to go When: Hiking’ is available here https://shop.lonelyplanet.com/products/where-to-go-when-hiking