Hiking Etiquette in 10 Easy Steps

We’re fortunate to have so many fantastic hiking trails right outside our back door, and whenever I go on a hike, without fail, I’m glad I did—being in nature is rejuvenating. As with any shared space, we all benefit when people behave in certain ways. Etiquette gets a bad rap as being a hobby for fusspots, but it’s really a framework for coexistence, whether you’re entering an elevator, enjoying afternoon tea, or hiking in the front country.

1) Don’t block the road. (That goes double at a blind curve.) Walking from a more appropriate spot farther from the trailhead shouldn’t be a hindrance—moving your body is the point of hiking.

2a) Leave no trace. Who takes a hairbrush hiking anyway?

2b) That nature calls is a fact of life; it’s how you respond that matters. You may have noticed it doesn’t rain much around here, which means toilet paper doesn’t disappear quickly. And if you had the forethought to bring toilet paper, you can have the forethought to bring a Ziploc bag, too. It’s gross, sure, but that’s exactly why none of us want to see it.

2c) The same goes for your dog. Leaving a bag o’ crap somewhere you can see it on the way back is fine, as long as you remember to retrieve it. (Buy bright-colored bags and maybe set an alarm on your phone to remind you.) It kills me when people deposit a bag soon after setting off from the trailhead—is it too much to walk back to the garbage can or your car?

3) Right of way is a confusing concept, based on what I’ve experienced at traffic circles and four-way stops; it simply means who goes first. On the trails, everyone yields to horses, and mountain bikers also yield to hikers. When hikers approach from opposite directions, the one going uphill has the right of way. (If the trail is wide enough for two people to pass, don’t worry about it, or if you’re heading up but you have a better spot to stop, go for it.)

4) Should a hiker catch up to you from behind, pull over and let him/her pass. No need to wait until you’re asked.

5) This is less of a rule than a suggestion: when encountering another hiker, say hello, good morning, or whatever. And don’t ignore someone who says it to you! That always makes me feel like an NPC who spoke when it wasn’t expected.

6) Need music or a podcast? Wear headphones. It’s rude to inflict your noise on others anywhere, but particularly in such a peaceful environment. You might want to only use one, so you can hear hikers behind you, a bike bell, a mountain lion, a rattlesnake….

7) Every mountain biker needs a bell. I’m happy to get out of your way, but in order to do so, I have to know that you’re coming. Yes, I’m worried about you hitting me, but I’m also worried about hurting myself while trying to quickly jump out of your path. (When you get older, you’ll discover how remarkably little it takes to injure oneself.) If you’re not biking alone, letting hikers know how many more cyclists are behind you—like the guy pictured below did—is appreciated.

8) I don’t mind if your dog is not on a leash, but please let me know if it’s friendly, especially if it runs right at me, like a pit bull recently did.

9) When you remove your clothes in a public place—the beach, State Street, the hot springs, etc.—you also shed any right to privacy. Snapping your photo is creepy, but it’s not illegal.

10) Shortcuts can be tempting while dealing with switchbacks, but you’ll damage the trail. Same goes with hiking after a rainfall—because we don’t get rain often, your footprints might last a long time. Our trails already need a fair amount of maintenance, so let’s not add to the workload. And while we’re at it, why not consider supporting the Montecito Trails Foundation, the Santa Barbara County Trails Council, and/or the Los Padres Forest Association by becoming a member?

P.S. If you decide to go commando mid-hike, good for you! Be your free, fabulous self. But please take your underwear with you.

················

The Siteline email newsletter: serving unsolicited opinions since 2019.