Staying Safe on the Trails

Exercise can be fun in the great outdoors, but walking, running or biking on a popular trail can also hold risks.

Attackers often see walking paths and trails as an opportunity for them to strike. They may follow women joggers into the bathroom off the trail or pull them off their bikes and assault them. These predators rely on the element of surprise to gain the upper hand. They use darkness as cover to watch and wait.

Hidden Predators

Hiking or jogging trails are perfect hunting grounds for a predator because they are often isolated and out of the public’s watchful eye. Many people exercise early in the morning or in the evening after work which can mean it is dark out.

People often run, jog and hike on these trails alone, which is exactly what these predators are hoping for.

Women, in particular, are frequently the target of these attacks.

Trail Safety

Whether you are going for a jog on a trail in an urban area or in the wilderness, practicing personal safety is paramount.

You never know who you will encounter during your morning run or your evening bike ride. Here are a few tips.

Remember There Is Power in Numbers

Try to hike, bike and jog with others, especially at dusk or dawn. Visibility is low these times of day and can make it difficult to see a suspicious person. Even if you didn’t come with a friend, try to stay close to others on the trail or run in a pack whenever you can.

If you are solo, let a friend or family member know where you are and when to expect you home.

Never share your location on social media, especially if your profile is not set to “private.”

Avoid Isolated Trails

Avoid trails that are isolated and not well-traveled. Stick to popular trails with plenty of foot-traffic and visibility from roads or the surrounding park. 

Wear brightly colored clothing to ensure people see you. Also, say hi to others you pass. They are more likely to remember you if you interacted with them. This can be very helpful if you do go missing and they are trying to track your last location.

Think About Your Electronics

Bring a charged cell phone with you in case of emergency.

Music is an important part of the running experience for many.  However, earphones reduce your ability to stay alert and aware of your surroundings. If you need to listen to music while on the trail, do so in a way that allows you to still stay aware. For sure do not use noise cancelling headphones while you are running or biking. These are dangerous in many different ways since you will not hear anything but the music.

There is an Awareness app for iPhone that allows you to still hear other environmental sounds even while listening to music. There are also different designs for earphones and headphones. Some are made specifically for sports and are positioned outside the ear to enable you to still hear other things.

Carry a Personal Alarm

Get a personal alarm, which you can activate during an emergency to alert others nearby to your situation. There are apps on your phone that can sound the alarm or send your location and details to a friend or family member if you are feeling threatened.

If you’re hiking in a remote area, consider purchasing a personal location beacon or a satellite messenger.

These devices allow you to signal for help if your cell phone does not work. A personal location beacon can be activated to send out a distress signal during an emergency.

A satellite messenger can send and receive messages.

Trust Your Instincts

Trust your instincts when out for a walk or run. If there’s someone on the path that’s following you or making you feel uncomfortable, try to throw him off by quickly changing your route.

Vary your route and time of day you jog, hike or bike. Someone may be watching you and noticing your patterns.

The health benefits of outdoor exercise far outweigh the risks, but it is easy to become complacent when you use the same trails or paths all the time.  Be alert to something different or that seems off. And if you are at a new location, be sure you know upfront how far it is to get back to your car and what course you are planning to take.