Steve Martin said: “A day without sunshine is like, you know, night.” With the advent of spring, people increasingly like to get outside, hiking, camping, or experience other outdoor sports; many hiking trails have become downright crowded.
It’s great to see more and more people getting outside, immersed in nature, but sometimes I truly miss the quiet trails of the past, miss the hiking experience that you can hear the singing of birds, the sound of streams, and the sound of your own footsteps.
If you are seeking a little peace on the trail, here are some ways to help you find the less crowded trails.
1. HIKING AT A DIFFERENT TIME
The same trail, if you go on the weekend, you will find a bustling crowd; if you go on Wednesday, you will find a beautiful and quiet ideal hiking place. So if your schedule allows, avoid holidays and events like spring break, just have to go at a different time: early mornings, late afternoon, night, midweek are all lower traffic times on popular trails.
2. AVOID THOSE FAMOUS TRAILS
We can see many hiking images post on Instagram which has very beautiful landscapes, people, trails, and wins lots of likes. Skip the famous hiking locations, thousands of people are rushing towards them with backpacks, they are under siege.
3. KEEP HIKING & GO FARTHER
Just like the marathon, the most crowed point is at the starting point. The beginning of the trails is the most crowded as all kinds of hikers including beginners, families...can hike easy here. It can be assured that the further you hike, the fewer people you will encounter, the less crowded it gets.
4. CHOOSE HARDER TRAILS
If you already have enough hiking experience, you can choose harder hiking trails or high-altitude trails, where often scare away many casual hikers. Never put yourself in danger because of avoiding the crowd. Make sure you have the ability to finish this difficult trail before you begin.
5. HIKE TRAILS NEAR POPULAR TRAILS
Why are some trails very busy? A reason is its scenery is beautiful. If you don't want to miss this beautiful scenery, you can choose the alternate trail which is often nearly deserted instead of the main route.
6. TALK WITH EXPERIENCED HIKERS
In general, experienced hikers have some "private" trails, which are quiet, beautiful and not crowded. So you can also keep an eye out for them when hiking and strike up a conversation with them. It's also a good idea to ask rangers or folks who know the area well, no one knows the trails better than them, and they might clue you into some of their favorite lesser-crowded areas.
