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I cant remember the exact quote, but it sounds something like this: “If you want to complete a hike list quicker, hike solo. If you want to have more fun, go with a group.”
Perhaps “fun” isn’t the correct word here. Maybe “share the experience” is a better fit.
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Going Solo
I enjoy solo hiking, and have hiked winter and summer mountain hikes for years. I’m comfortable being alone, and don’t need people to make me feel happy. A long day of hiking in one’s own head can give you clarity of mind, a quiet time to reflect, and the ability to be yourself. There’s no need to compromise on start times, make small talk, or debate best routes. You travel at your own preferred speed. Solo hiking rocks.
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I have some friends that don’t solo hike. Some are too gregarious and people-centric, others lack the confidence to go it alone. Being solely responsible for your well being may sound a little daunting, but preparedness, communication and self reliance go along way in making sure hikes are stress free and safely executed.
- Leave a plan with someone at home. A detailed itinerary including start location, trails and end date.
- Communication: Cell phone and emergency beacon are with me at all times on solo hikes.
- Be prepared to self rescue and keep your navigation skills sharp. Take a first aid course to be able to care for yourself if things go wrong. Plan on getting yourself out of a situation before the need arises. Know that SAR (search and rescue) might not get to you for a day-or more. Have those number on your phone.
Group Hiking
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Hiking with a group can be a lot of fun. You share the entire experience. The views, the planning and can lean on one another to accomplish the goal. Get in with a like minded group of companions that travel at the same pace and you’re going to have a great time.
Peakbagging and Backpacking
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As a list chaser, I sometimes have to hike solo. If a good weekend is approaching, I’m going to go, and it’s hard to get schedules to mesh with friends on short notice. If I’m backpacking a popular trail, I don’t mind flying solo either.I’m bound to meet fellow hikers along the way and have some memorable conversation.
What’s your preference? Are you the go it alone type, or do you like to share the fun?
An Unmapped Route: A Hiker's Blog 
Comments
2 responses to “Hiking: Solo vs Groups”
Great post – I wrote a similar one about hiking alone in Scotland (much more serious than England and Wales). I prefer to hillwalk alone really for lots of reasons. One is that you can set your own pace. I’m also like you in that I enjoy my own company and the peace of the hills.
I’m also quite list and target-driven and that often doesn’t sit well with companions. When I’m out, I tend to go up every lump and bump in sight.
I should really let someone know where I’m going but am very prone to deciding at the last minute to go somewhere completely different. I never remember to take a phone either – I never got used to carrying a mobile phone. The only system I have in place is with my friend. He knows if I don’t ring him one night before midnight, I’m probably in trouble out on a hill somewhere. He won’t know where but knows both my reg. numbers for my cars so he’ll just tell the police to check my house to see which car is missing out of the two (he doesn’t live anywhere near me – a totally different county) and then tell them to check all the walking area parking (rather a lot of parking areas!)
Not ideal but they’d find me eventually – the English Lake District, where I live now isn’t very remote really…
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I’ll have to look into your posts on Scotland if they are on your blog. It is a personal goal to someday get there to hike. I do enjoy your photographs, the countryside looks beautiful. I searched a bit on my mapping software to get a sense of place on the area you were hiking. The paths look formidable in the photographs.
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