{"id":3866,"date":"2015-03-18T05:30:28","date_gmt":"2015-03-18T12:30:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=3866"},"modified":"2018-11-11T21:52:16","modified_gmt":"2018-11-12T05:52:16","slug":"trail-etiquette-who-has-the-right-of-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/hike\/trail-etiquette-who-has-the-right-of-way","title":{"rendered":"Trail Etiquette: Who Has the Right of Way?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Although I\u2019m sure most hikers out there enjoy their fair share of peace and solitude on the trail, odds are you\u2019ll eventually end up sharing the trail with others.<\/p>\n

But don\u2019t worry\u2014whether you\u2019re sharing the outdoors with mountain bikers, equestrians or fellow hikers, there are general guidelines for how<\/em> to share that tiny trail space with others.<\/p>\n

Hikers vs. Bikers<\/h4>\n

Since mountain bikes are considered more maneuverable than hikers\u2019 legs, bikers are generally expected to yield to hikers on the trail. However, because those mountain bikes are often moving considerably faster than said legs, it\u2019s usually easier for hikers to yield the right of way\u2014especially if a mountain biker is huffing and puffing up a tough incline. A biker should never expect<\/em> a hiker to yield, though.<\/p>\n

Because mountain bikers move faster, hikers should also be aware of their surroundings on shared trails. Conscientious mountain bikers will call out as they come down steep slopes or blind switchbacks, and should also let you know if there are other bikers following them.<\/p>\n

Hikers vs. Horses<\/h4>\n

As the largest, slowest-to-maneuver and (usually) least-predictable creatures on the trail, horses get the right of way from both hikers and mountain bikers. If you\u2019re sharing the trail with equestrians, give them as wide a berth as possible and make sure not to make abrupt movements as they pass and talk calmly when approaching to avoid startling the animal.<\/p>\n

\"Trail<\/p>\n

Equestrians passing on a fire road in Griffith Park, Los Angeles.<\/em><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re on a narrow trail and horses (or mules)\u00a0are passing, get off the trail on the downhill side as they trot by. Horses are more likely to run uphill than downhill when spooked, and you definitely don\u2019t want to be in the path of a spooked horse.<\/p>\n

Hikers vs. Hikers<\/h4>\n

It seems that many hikers\u2014even experienced ones\u2014may not know or always remember this, but hikers going uphill have the right of way. This is because in general hikers heading up an incline have a smaller field of vision and may also be in that \u201chiking rhythm\u201d zone and not in the mood to break their pace. Often an uphill hiker may let others come downhill while they take a breather, but remember that\u2019s the uphill hiker\u2019s call.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re about to pass another hiker from behind, a simple \u201chello\u201d is often the best way to announce your presence. Remember, many of us can zone out on those long, steep inclines! When passing, always stay on the trail to reduce erosion.<\/p>\n

\"Trail<\/p>\n

A group hikes single-file in the Fiery Furnace in Arches National Park to reduce erosion.<\/em><\/p>\n

Trail etiquette is even more important when you\u2019re hiking in a group. Always hike single-file, never taking up more than half the trail space, and stay on the trail itself. Over time, those off-trail boot prints can badly erode switchbacks and destroy drainage diversions. When a group meets a single hiker, it\u2019s generally preferable for the single hiker to yield and step safely to the side.<\/p>\n

\"Trail<\/p>\n

A mountain marathon group breaking almost all the rules.<\/em><\/p>\n

Remember, when in doubt, just treat other hikers, bikers and equestrians the same way you\u2019d treat the trail itself\u2014with respect. Then get back to enjoying that solitude.<\/p>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Although I\u2019m sure most hikers out there enjoy their fair share of peace and solitude on the trail, odds are you\u2019ll eventually end up sharing the trail with others. But don\u2019t worry\u2014whether you\u2019re sharing the outdoors with mountain bikers, equestrians or fellow hikers, there are general guidelines for how to share that tiny trail space […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":3868,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[387],"tags":[8,521,66,140],"internal-tag":[517,519,1673,495],"class_list":["post-3866","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hike","tag-hike","tag-hiking-tips","tag-tips","tag-utah","internal-tag-california","internal-tag-casey-schreiner","internal-tag-pre-redirect-hike","internal-tag-united-states"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/rei.com\/blog\/hike\/trail-etiquette-who-has-the-right-of-way","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"Trail Etiquette: Who Has the Right of Way?","url":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/hike\/trail-etiquette-who-has-the-right-of-way","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/hike\/trail-etiquette-who-has-the-right-of-way"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/03\/single-file-e1448307278575.jpg?resize=150%2C150","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2015\/03\/single-file-e1448307278575.jpg?fit=1500%2C1125"},"articleSection":"Hike","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Angela Crampton"}],"creator":["Angela Crampton"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Uncommon Path \u2013 An REI Co-op Publication","logo":""},"keywords":["hike","hiking tips","tips","utah"],"dateCreated":"2015-03-18T12:30:28Z","datePublished":"2015-03-18T12:30:28Z","dateModified":"2018-11-12T05:52:16Z"},"rendered":"