Last updated on April 13th, 2021 at 09:21 pm
Hiking trails are filled with wildlife and serene sounds, but have you thought of heading out after dusk? Night hikes are an exciting change to enjoy nature in a different setting, but they also present a different set of challenges. We’ve prepared these 8 tips for hiking in the dark that will help you stay safe and have fun on your night hike.
Nature lovers are a tough bunch. Hikes can begin before sunrise or extend, possibly by accident, after dusk. Especially for those backpacking through multi-day trips. And, for when the darkness sets in slow down, listen, and bring a light source.
Why Would Someone Hike in the Dark
Whether you’ve found yourself in the dark on accident or with intention, preparing well will get you through. Hiking in the dark can be a thrilling ride through the wild for whatever reason you’ve ended up there.
Beat the heat
If the daytime heat is just too much, some hikers may prefer to start their journey late in the day and travel during night. A cool forest stroll is certainly a great choice for those that live in warmer climates. And, if you’re looking to avoid crowds or certain bugs, hiking through the dark will be a peaceful and quite past time.
Experience trails in a different way
Got a favorite trail? Heading out at night will allow you to get a different experience of your go-to hike. And, while their other senses are heightened, many hikers experience a deeper connection with their environment. Scurrying squirrels and bird chatter transforms into a peaceful night of owls and calm nature. It can be incredibly serene to view your favorite trail during night hours.
Losing track of time
Sometimes it’s entirely possible to start your hiking during the day and end up on the trail at night. It’s not uncommon for many hikers to lose track of time if they’ve started the journey in the afternoon or needed to see a landmark before dark.
Turning around and heading back too late usually results in a hike through darkness. And, without proper headlamps or clothing this can be quite unnerving.
Multi-day backpacking journeys
Backpackers often find themselves pushing through the break of dusk before stopping to rest. When you’re constantly on the move, it can be difficult to precisely plan the trek to your next camp. However, most backpackers have large rucksacks packed with essentials. In this case, it’s likely they’ve packed well with camp lights, food, and shelter.
How to Hike in The Dark
You may have found yourself here if you’re wondering how to better prepare. Possibly you’ve been caught on a dark trail without a light, or maybe you’d like to do it on purpose. Either way, we applaud you for getting your bearings and reading up before heading out.
1. Bring a Light…or Two
First and foremost, light is essential, if not only for emergency use. We recommend each person in your troop bringing a headlamp and a backup flashlight. You may be able to get through with by light of the moon, but in the dense forest or on cloudy nights these will help you progress forward.
Additionally, make sure everything is charged up before you leave for your trip. Double check that batteries are in working order, and bring some extras or a charge port and cord for rechargeable lamps. We always bring an extra port or two incase we get lost, it’s worth the added weight.
Pack them in your backpack in an area that you can reach easily. And, on a quick note, be sure to use your hand to cover your headlight when facing your friends or oncoming hikers. There’s nothing worse that getting blinded while attempting a journey through pitch black darkness.
2. Pack Smart
Secondly, let your organizational skills go wild prior to your night of hiking. Before heading out, we like to arrange our pack in an efficient manner for easy digging while night blind.
Make sure your backpack is neat with all the essentials. We have a pack with lots of separate pockets, but we also utilize one ziploc baggy for first aid, hair ties and aspirin. Keep things that you use a lot or need quickly toward to top or front of your pack. And practice looking through it by closing your eyes and feeling around beforehand for added piece of mind.
Additionally, in your pack should be extra layers to prepare for the night’s temperature drop. We find a lightweight rain coat and a fleece pullover fit the bill.
Finally, we like to keep a set of collapsible trekking poles attached to our pack during all hikes. These are handy to feel around roots and add a lot of stability to each step during the night.
3. Hike in a Group
It’s safer and more fun to hike with friends, especially at night. A group of hikers can keep an eye out for trail markers, help if anyone gets injured, and makes more noise to deter animals.
Hiking in numbers can be super useful as well with materials. In a group it’s more likely that someone will have a specific item or cell service in emergencies or for navigating.
If you’re backpacking, stick with the pack and don’t allow stragglers to trail too far back as well.
4. Stick to a Trail
If you’ve found yourself on a nighttime hike, it’s important to stick to the trail. Although it’s very fun and exciting to go hiking at night it’s not the right time to explore unknown territory. Even if you’re with a group of friends it’s not recommended to go off-trail or explore a one that you are unfamiliar with.
At night, it’s best to pick a trail you’ve already hiked a few times during the day. This way you’ll know what to expect in regards to terrain, the thickness of the flora, and wildlife. Hiking a familiar trail at night isn’t just safer, it’s great to see it in another light. You’ll also get to experience the entire scene without the scorching sun and while enjoying the beautiful night sky. All with the confidence that you won’t get lost.
On that note, keep a close eye out for trail markers which can easily get washed out with headlamp light.
5. Slow Down and Stay Observant
Night hikes are just different, moving with caution is a must. Furthermore, even if you’re familiar with a trail, it will come alive at night.
Slow down and use all of your senses to travel through the dark. During the night your field of vision is very limited. And, this naturally makes it easy for roots or rocks to get in your way and cause injuries. That’s why it’s very important to keep maximum attention to your surroundings and go slower than you usually do. This way you have enough time to react if something unexpected happens.
Again, trail markers are less visible in the night, and moving slowly will help keep you on the right path.
6. Keep an Eye Out for Critters
Nature comes to life in a new way during twilight hours. And, since animals are either nocturnal or avoid human trails during the day, it is more likely you’ll encounter them on your night hikes. It’s also important to check what type of wildlife may be encountered on your trail and if it’s dangerous. If you’re traveling through bear territory, a casual night hike may be a bad idea.
As mentioned above, slowing down will also help you maintain a better distance from nocturnal animals. Startling a foraging racoon or opossum is something notable to avoid. By traveling at a casual pace, animals are likely to note your presence and scatter away. Alert these smaller animals by making clapping hands or being noisy.
You should also eliminate strong smells from your clothing or body products and avoid packing strong smelling food or snacks.
On that note, do not feed animals and avoid flashing them with lights that may hurt their vision.
7. Tell Someone Where You’re Going
While hiking sparks an adventurous spirit, there’s always a chance of getting lost or injured on the path. With this in mind, it is always a great idea to tell someone where you’re going and when you plan on getting back.
Another great thing you can do is allow your phone to track your location at all times during your hike. That will make it much easier to pinpoint your location in case a rescue is needed.
8. Plan Your Hike Around The Moon
A moonlit stroll is not only romantic, but it can make for a successful journey. The moon is an excellent source of light when it enters the right phase. You should never skip bringing extra lights, just in case there’s cloud cover. However, by planning your night hikes around the moon’s most lit days, the forest floor will be much more visible.
So, when the moon is right, pack up your organized rucksack and head out onto your favorite trail with a buddy for a night to remember.
Experience Night Life in a New Way
Night hiking is a surreal experience that everyone should try at least once. As darkness shifts over the trail, nature completely changes. And, from your favorite nature spot, you may realize just how many stars were above you this whole time. However, as exciting as it can be, the experience may depend on how you prepare.
Pack right and stay alert, but be sure to also enjoy your trip. The amazing scenery and night sky away from the city lights is worth the trip!
Image Credit: Stig Nygaard|(source)|Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) — reduced file size and image