How to Start Hiking?

Why I Wanted to Create This Guide to Start Hiking

You know, after 15 years of hiking the trails of Quebec and beyond, I've seen thousands of people who wanted to know how to start hiking but didn't know where to begin. How many times have I crossed paths with families wearing running shoes in the mud of Mont Orford, or couples who give up after 20 minutes because they underestimated the difficulty!

Hiking is accessible to everyone — but there are a few basic tricks to know so that your first experience is memorable for the right reasons. No way you're going to experience what I went through on my first outing: 6 hours in the rain with soaked jeans and blisters on my feet. Ouch!

In this guide, I'm going to give you everything you need to know to take your first steps with confidence: how to choose your first trail, the truly essential equipment (spoiler: it's less than you think), and especially, the mistakes to avoid so you'll just be excited to go back out.

Which Trail to Choose for Your First Hike?

This is THE question everyone asks me: "François, what's a good trail to start with?" My answer might surprise you, but the best trail for beginners is one that's close to home and between 2 and 5 km.

Here are my criteria for a perfect beginner trail:

• Distance: 2 to 5 km maximum (round trip)
• Elevation gain: Less than 200 meters of climbing
• Marked trail: With signs and tree blazes
• Moderate traffic: You won't be alone if something goes wrong
• Easy parking: No need to walk 2 km just to reach the trailhead

For people in the Montreal area, Parc du Mont-Royal is perfect for a first experience. If you're more towards Quebec City, the trails at Canyon Sainte-Anne offer beautiful views without too much effort.

Classic Mistakes in Choosing Your First Trail

I made the mistake myself: aiming too high to impress. My first "real" trail was Mount Washington in New Hampshire. Result? I spent half the descent wondering why I was inflicting this on myself!

Avoid these beginner traps:

• Choosing a trail for the Instagram photo rather than for your level
• Underestimating the impact of elevation gain (100 meters of climbing, you feel it!)
• Starting on an isolated trail without experience
• Ignoring the day's weather conditions

Essential Equipment (Without Breaking the Bank)

Good news: you don't need to empty your bank account to start hiking! The outdoor industry sometimes tries to make us believe you need $2000 worth of equipment to set foot on a trail. That's nonsense.

The truly essential equipment to start:

On your feet:

• Running shoes with a good sole (to start)
• Socks that wick moisture (avoid cotton at all costs)

On your back:

• A small 20-30 liter backpack
• A water bottle (1 liter minimum)
• Energy snacks

In the pack:

• A basic first aid kit
• A lightweight rain jacket
• A headlamp (even for a day outing)
• Your cell phone with charged battery

What you can wait to buy:

Real hiking boots can wait. Honestly, for easy and dry trails, good running shoes work very well. I did my first 50 hikes with running shoes, and guess what? My feet survived!

Smart Purchases When You're Ready

When you've done a few outings and know it's your thing, here's the order to invest in:

1. Good hiking boots ($150-250) 2. A comfortable backpack ($100-200) 3. Technical clothing (according to your budget)

How Long Does a First Hike Take?

Here's the golden rule I learned the hard way: your first hike will always take longer than expected. Always. It's mathematical.

To calculate the time for your first outing, use this simple formula:

• 1 km = 15-20 minutes on flat terrain
• Add 30 minutes per 100 meters of elevation gain
• Double the result for your first time (you'll take breaks, photos, get a bit lost...)

Concrete example: A 4 km trail with 150 meters of elevation gain:

• Theoretical walking time: 1h20
• With breaks and inexperience: 2h30-3h
• Total time with round trip: 3h30-4h

Planning Your First Outing

My advice? Choose a beautiful day, leave early (around 9am), and plan to be back for lunch. That way, you have the whole day ahead of you if it takes longer than expected.

Best times to start:

• Departure: 8am-10am (avoid the afternoon rush)
• Planned return: before 2pm for a first time
• Ideal day: Saturday or Sunday morning, stable weather

If you really want to prepare well, check out our guide on the essential questions to ask yourself before leaving. It can avoid many inconveniences!

The 5 Mistakes Every Beginner Makes (And How to Avoid Them)

Ah, beginner mistakes! I've made my share, and I still see them every weekend on the trails. The good news is they're all avoidable if you know what to expect.

Mistake #1: Wearing Cotton in Wet Weather

Cotton is the hiker's enemy #1. It absorbs moisture like a sponge and never dries. I learned this the hard way during a rainy hike in Charlevoix — I spent 4 hours shivering in my soaked cotton t-shirt.

The solution: Favor synthetic fabrics or merino wool. Even an old polyester sports t-shirt is 100 times better than cotton.

Mistake #2: Leaving Without Checking the Weather

"It's nice in the city, it'll be fine!" Wrong. In the mountains, weather changes quickly, and it's often different from down below. A cloud can transform a beautiful day into a nightmare.

The solution: Always check the weather specific to your hiking region, and bring a waterproof layer, even if the sun is shining.

Mistake #3: Not Bringing Enough Water

Dehydration hits faster than you think, especially when you're not used to prolonged effort. The general rule: 500 ml per hour of effort, minimum.

Mistake #4: Blindly Following Your GPS

Your cell phone can lead you to weird places. I've seen people follow Google Maps and end up on private property or closed trails.

The solution: Use specialized apps like AllTrails or official park maps.

Mistake #5: Not Telling Anyone Where You're Going

This is perhaps the most dangerous mistake. If you get injured or lost, no one will know where to look for you.

Your First Steps: Where to Really Start

OK, enough theory! You're at the point where you just want to get out and try. Here's my 3-step action plan to make your first experience a success.

Step 1: Your First "Micro-Hike"

Start small. Really small. Choose a 2-3 km trail near you, ideally in an urban or peri-urban park. The goal is to test your equipment and see how your body reacts.

For Montreal, Parc du Mont-Royal is perfect. For Montérégie, try Parc Michel-Chartrand — it's accessible and well-maintained.

Step 2: Your First "Real" Hike

Once you've done 2-3 micro-outings, move to the next level: a 4-6 km trail with a bit of elevation gain. This is where it gets really fun!

Mont Yamaska is excellent for this stage — enough challenge to make you feel proud, but nothing insurmountable.

Step 3: Find Your Crew or Solo Rhythm

After a few outings, you'll know if you prefer hiking alone or in a group. Both have their advantages:

In a group:

• Safer for beginners
• Mutual motivation
• Knowledge sharing

Solo:

• Go at your own pace
• More connection with nature
• Total freedom

"The mountain doesn't care about your experience, but it always rewards your preparation."

When You're Ready for What's Next

Once you've done a few hikes and caught the bug (and trust me, it will happen!), you'll want to explore further. It's normal and exciting!

Signs You're Ready for Bigger Challenges

• You finish your 5-6 km hikes without being exhausted
• You start looking at distant mountains wondering what's up there
• You know your equipment and your limits
• You want to try longer or more technical trails

The Next Steps

When you get there, you can start exploring places like Mont du Lac des Cygnes or the Hautes-Gorges de la Rivière Malbaie. But for now, focus on the basics!

My Final Field Tips

After all these years on the trail, there are a few things I wish someone had told me when I started. Little things that make a big difference.

Listen to Your Body

If it hurts, stop. If you're out of breath, slow down. Hiking isn't a race. Some of my best memories are sitting on a rock catching my breath while admiring the view.

Take Photos, But Not Too Many

Yes, take photos to immortalize the moment. But don't forget to look up from your phone and really look around you. The most beautiful images stay in your head.

Respect Nature and Others

Pack out your trash, stay on trails, greet other hikers. We all share the same passion, and we want to keep these mountains beautiful for future generations.

Ready for Adventure?

There you have it, you now have everything you need to start hiking with confidence! To summarize the essential points:

• Start small — 2-5 km maximum for your first outings
• Basic equipment is enough — no need to break the bank from the start
• Always plan — weather, itinerary, and inform someone of your plans
• Avoid classic mistakes — cotton, lack of water, and overly ambitious trails
• Listen to your body — progression happens gradually

Hiking is much more than physical exercise. It's a way to reconnect with nature, disconnect from daily life, and discover breathtaking landscapes. Each trail has its own personality, its own challenges and its own rewards.

So what are you waiting for? This weekend, choose a small trail near you, put on your shoes, and go see what's waiting for you outside. I guarantee you'll come back with a smile and the desire to do it again. Welcome to the big family of hikers!