Even if hikers do not heedlessly place themselves in harm's way, they face a variety of risks. However, with the correct precautions, hiking can be enjoyable and safe.
Bodily injuries
Cumbersome backpacks increase the risk of missteps and falls, particularly on difficult terrain. Poor judgement on steep or slippery slopes can lead to injury. Carrying a backpack may make a hiker more cumbersome.
Ankle sprain is a common and debilitating injury. Proper hiking boots can help prevent it.
Foot blisters are caused by friction and irritation of the skin. Wet socks and poorly-fitting shoes precipitate the occurrence of blisters. Two layers of socks (using liner socks) help prevent blisters, and moleskin can be applied to blister-prone areas as a treatment or preventive measure.
Back injury may result from packing too much or not having a proper backpack. A pack for backpacking should be bought from a recreational store, and as a rule of thumb, a person should carry no more than one third of their body weight. Hiking poles may also reduce the likelyhood of back injuries by spreading the load across multiple points.
Frostbite can occur when bare skin is exposed to very low temperatures. For very low-temperature hiking, clothing can be arranged to minimize the amount of exposed skin.
Metabolic imbalances
Dehydration can rapidly incapacitate a hiker, especially in warm weather. In conditions of low humidity, sweat evaporates so quickly that a hiker may not notice the water loss. Dehydration can be avoided by carrying and drinking an adequate amount of water. Depending on conditions, two liters of water may be enough for a day hike, but in high heat conditions (such as hiking the Grand Canyon in summer, one liter per hour may be required. [1]. Extensive sweating may also deplete a hiker's body of sodium. Naturally occurring water is often unfit to drink (see Potability of backcountry water).
Replenishing water, but not sodium, can result in hyponatremia. Thus, salty snacks along with water are also recommended.
Heat exhaustion, possibly developing into heatstroke, can occur during high-temperature hikes, particularly if one is dehydrated or dressed too warmly. The risk of heatstroke can be minimized by avoiding hiking in the direct sun if the temperature is too high, and staying wet when possible. This is a life-threatening condition: a victim must be cooled off and transported to a hospital immediately.
Conversely, hypothermia is a risk particularly to hikers at higher altitudes or latitudes. Wet clothing (due to rain, sweat, stream crossings, etc.) is a major risk factor, and can cause hypothermia even in warm weather. Hypothermia can result in death if the victim's body temperature drops very low. Even if it does not kill the victim directly, it causes confusion, irrationality and impaired judgment, raising the risk of other injuries. Hypothermia risk can be minimized with proper clothing. Cotton clothing is often discouraged for its ability to absorb and hold water. Packing extra layers of clothing decreases the risk of hypothermia.
If deprived of food for several days, hikers may become malnourished. A human can survive for weeks without food, but malnutrition causes impaired judgment. Low blood sugar may have a similar effect. Carrying extra food will minimize risk to the hiker.
In many parks, hiking trails are clearly labelled.[edit]
Losing the way
Hikers may become lost either if a hiking party cannot find its way, or if a hiker becomes separated from the party and cannot find it again. Lost hikers who cannot find their way to their destination on time may run out of food and water, or experience a change in weather, exacerbating the risk of hiking hazards.
If a group splits up into several subgroups walking at different speeds, one of the subgrops may take a wrong turn at a trail junction. A common custom to avoid this is for the hikers at the front to stop at junctions and wait for the others.
It's even easier to lose the way if trails do not exist. Carrying a map and compass and knowing how to use them will decrease the risk of getting lost. Likewise, a Global Positioning System may prove invaluable, as it can pinpoint a hiker's location, revealing exactly where on the globe they are and the direction to roads, services and cities. A communication device, such as a cell phone or a satellite phone, may help in the case of an emergency. However, cell phone coverage in wilderness areas is often quite poor. Family Radio Service and General Mobile Radio Service radios may be helpful, especially if hikers become separated from others in their group.
Other hazards
In many areas, hikers may encounter large animals such as bears or cougars. Wild-animal attacks may occur when hikers come upon an unsuspecting animal and surprise it. Also, animals such as bears can become accustomed to gathering food from human property. These encounters can also result in attacks against humans. The risk of surprising an animal can be mitigated by making noise, whether by clapping and yelling regularly, tapping a stick against rocks, or wearing a "bear bell".
General safety measures
A common safety measure, which reduces the risk of most mishaps, is hiking in a group. If one hiker is injured, group members can administer first aid or seek help. A group can avoid poor decisions that a lone hiker might make. If an emergency occurs, a group can pool its muscle power, brain power, and body heat.
Another precaution is informing people outside of the hiking group of the itinerary and expected return time.
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