I was only on the Appalachian Trial for ten minutes when I turned the corner and saw a family of five sitting on boulders taking their break squarely in the middle of the trail!! 

It wasn’t too hard to see why these folks were so winded just 1/2 mile in from the trailhead either. The two adults in the group were smoking like it was going out of style.

Great! Nothing could make squeezing past this sweaty human obstacle course worse, except inhaling a nice big lungful of secondhand tobacco smoke in the process.

I just wanted to scream, “Oh, for crying out loud people!!!”

So what’s a trail lover supposed to do in this situation?  

Like most rules of etiquette, you probably won’t find a list of these social guidelines posted at the trailhead. As a community, we rely on common decency and manners. And 99.5% of people don’t need a lesson on how to behave.  But, some folks definitely need you to spell out the major “do’s and don’ts” of trail etiquette to them.

So, here’s a list of my top 10 pet peeves, so you don’t become “that” guy or gal out on the trail:

#1 – Yo momma doesn’t live here – pick up after yourself

Pack out what you bring in. Period. 

I don’t care if it’s biodegradable. I don’t care if its just toilet paper. Or your apple core.  If you left it there for other hikers to look at when they walk by, you’re just plain wrong. 

There’s a reason no one writes amazing articles about hiking at your local town dump. Because it’s gross! So if you want to be out here on the trail with the rest of us, then Leave No Trace.     

#2 – This ain’t a dog park

I am a dog lover.  And I believe most dogs on trail are well-behaved. 

However… If your dog is running off without you, or you’re having to holler after Rover while he chases another squirrel and knocks over three skittish hikers in the process, perhaps this isn’t the right place for him to be off-leash. Just saying.

#3 – Acknowledge other hikers

Before I was a hiker, I was a runner. When I’d run through my neighborhood and passed someone out walking their dog, I’d always give them the little hand wave or a quick hello. 

Fast forward to when I lived in Bavaria. Each time I’d see someone out hiking, they’d greet me with a cheerful “Grüß Gott.” So, clearly this type of thoughtful acknowledgement crosses cultural lines. 

Nonetheless, it always surprises me when I’m on trail and people want to divert their eyes and pretend like they don’t see you when you encounter each other. I don’t expect a full blow conversation. Just a friendly grunt or smile as we pass will suffice.

#4 – Single file, just like in grade school

Most trails are single track. That means they are only wide enough for one person to walk on. And when you encounter someone coming toward you, chances are one of you will have to step off trail to let the other one pass. 

Sometimes, however, you’ll encounter trails wide enough to hike side-by-side with other hikers. And if you’re hiking in a group, you probably want to carry on a conversation. 

But, this doesn’t give you license to walk in a gaggle and spread out across the entire trail so other hikers have to stop like you’re on a single track trail. If you see someone coming, just merge into a single file line and make life a little more pleasant on trail.

#5 – Don’t plop down in the middle of the road

Look, we all need to take breaks. Sometimes you want to rest because you’ve been walking a bit and are tired.  Other times, you need to stop to eat or layout some gear to dry. 

Every break isn’t going to occur on a mountain top with a breathtaking vista. Many of them will occur on plain, ordinary trail. But, this ain’t the wild west; and you aren’t staking your claim. You don’t own this particular swath of trail. 

Instead of plopping down like a 6 year old child having a temper tantrum in the grocery store, look to the left or right. I’m sure you can find a nice place to rest where it won’t impede others.

#6 – No cuts  

No, I’m not admonishing people for overtaking slower hikers here. I’m talking about cutting the switchbacks. 

Switchbacks are those S-shaped bits of trail that go back and forth to make getting up a steep incline easier. A trail builder or maintainer came into the woods and deliberately put those switchbacks in to ensure the trail continues to exist. 

They were deliberately put there to protect the side of the hill or mountain from erosion, particularly in high trafficked areas. 

So, use the dang switchbacks already. You aren’t going to get there faster by creating your own shortcut; you’re just ruining the trail for the people coming behind you.  

#7 – I didn’t come out in nature to hear your tunes

Sometimes hiking can get a little boring – particularly if you are doing it for days or weeks on end. You may find yourself wanting to be entertained a bit. 

Everyone carries a smartphone these days, so it’s beyond easy to listen to music, audiobooks, or podcasts on trail to give yourself a little pick-me-up when you need it to stave off that boredom. 

However, just because you want to listen to the screeching guitar solo from your favorite death metal band, doesn’t mean the rest of us do. Use headphones. Please.

#8 – Learn how to yield to other hikers

Most trails aren’t flat.  You usually find yourself either trudging up a hill or coming down one. So when you encounter another hiker going the opposite direction, who yields to whom?

The rule of thumb is the hiker going down gives way to allow the other hiker up. The reason behind this is simple.  Tired hikers shouldn’t have to break their stride as they are expending more energy to climb up. The hiker heading downhill will will have an easier time moving again after stopping than the one who’s climbing uphill. 

With that said, you may both end up pausing and awkwardly waving at each other like two elderly drivers who just arrived at a 4-way stop sign. If the uphill-bound hiker wants you to proceed while they catch their breath, it’s best to take their suggestion.

#9 – Protect our water sources

Some of us plan to use brooks, rivers, or springs to refill our water while on trail. Most hikers don’t have guts of steel though. So we’ll probably filter or treat our water so we don’t get Giardia. 

Despite this routine, there is absolutely no need for you to go and completely contaminate the water with your bad hygiene habits. So, don’t pee within 200 feet of water sources. Don’t let your dog bathe in the spring. Don’t wash your socks out upriver from where people are gathering water. 

The water quality out on the trail should be better than Flint, Michigan.

#10 – There’s more than one point of view

Look, we all have opinions. I don’t mind talking about trail-related things with people I barely know. I’ll talk about great places to visit or what food you’re craving when you get to town. But, for Pete’s sake, please don’t turn this into an opportunity to proselytize or debate on trail. 

This sentiment goes equally for your religious views, your political views, your criticism of other people’s gear choices, etc. There is more than one way to live. You don’t need to try to convert everyone you meet. 

Have any other trail etiquette rules you want to share??  Leave a comment below.