The experience of losing the trail
One of the biggest worries for people new to hiking (#hiking), and indeed for their parents, is the risk of getting lost while wandering through nature. Mountain terrain may have no mobile coverage, preventing calls and internet access. That does not mean the phone’s GPS is out of action.
In such circumstances, the day passes far faster than you expect. The fear of darkness when you feel lost is the nightmare of nightmares for anyone new to hiking, and many times worse for parents, whose blood runs cold if they find out.
Personally, I have lost my way twice, and on another occasion night caught up with us while we were hiking, also lost. The first time happened as we were climbing Mount Gamti, not up the rocky side but along the long trail through the maze of scrub and the three mountain passes. At first I was frightened.
But being with a large group of friends and hikers soon calmed me down. Getting lost turned into fun.
Sometimes you even enjoy getting lost! And it lasted no more than a quarter of an hour.
The next time happened on our way back from Bukanik. We took the wrong trail and went such a long way round that night dulled our eyes. When we finally reached the road after a couple of hours of walking beyond the planned time, I was so happy it was as though our backpacks no longer weighed anything.
I know… it sounds a little childish… but nature brings out feelings like that, because in its presence you always feel small.
Preparation and finding your bearings on the trail
But what should we keep in mind if we get lost? Here are a few things to remember:
First, the most important thing of all: do not set off on trips alone! You should be with at least one or two other people. Whatever people may think, I find the saying “the sheep that strays from the flock gets eaten by the wolf” particularly apt here.*
Next, make sure your backpack contains a torch, a first-aid kit, a power bank for charging your phone and, without fail, a whistle. If you get lost, do not wait 12 hours to take the situation seriously or seek help. The torch will light your way, the first-aid kit will help if you are injured, the power bank will recharge your phone and the whistle will let you signal if people are looking for you.
As soon as you realise you have lost the trail, stop in a safe place. Rest, drink a little water and try to calm down.
The main enemy in these situations is panic!
As you try to calm yourself, go back over where you came from, what the route looked like as you passed through and any distinctive markers along the trail. Retrace your steps only if you recognise the route and can do so safely.
If you cannot safely find your way back, seek help. Give your location, or the last place you recognised, and describe the group’s condition.
After seeking help, stay at the reported location unless there is an immediate danger. Follow the rescue team’s instructions and keep the group together.
Use a map, compass and landmarks to find your bearings. Do not try unfamiliar trails simply because it is still daylight. If you cannot return safely, stay in a sheltered place and signal for help.
Your phone can help: try calling for help, but conserve its battery. GPS can determine your location without mobile coverage, while maps should be downloaded for offline use before setting off.
Terrain obstructions or poor satellite reception can reduce accuracy; a dot on the screen does not guarantee a safe route. Carry a map and compass too, and learn how to use them.
These situations are adventures too, and I can assure you they are the parts of a hike you remember most, so do not be discouraged!
*A couple of films come to mind, “Into the Wild (2007)” and “127 Hours (2010)”, which depict extremely difficult situations during solo hikes. If you have not seen them, I recommend them!
* This article was reviewed and corrected on 8 October 2026.