In this video I break down 20 solo hiking safety tips with no BS or fluff—because when you’re alone, a small mistake can turn into a big problem fast. I cover the stuff beginners actually mess up: getting too close to cliff edges (yep, I learned that one the hard way in Norway), taking “shortcuts” that aren’t real trails, and pushing past the point where you’re tired and your judgment goes downhill. I also talk about camping smart—avoiding animal tracks, flood-prone spots, and dead branches overhead—and why I don’t keep smelly stuff in my tent (food, packaging, deodorant, all of it). I also go into animals beyond the usual “watch out for bears” advice. If you see livestock like cows or sheep in the mountains, pay attention—there may be a guard dog nearby, and in remote areas those dogs can be aggressive. I explain how I handle that situation, plus why I like trekking poles as a practical “protection” tool that also reduces injury risk. Finally, I cover navigation and comms: offline maps on your phone (I use Gaia GPS), a power bank, and ideally a dedicated Garmin/Zoleo/Spot-style device with SOS and satellite messaging. And the last tip that sounds fluffy but I actually believe in: trust your gut—if something feels off, turn back.