Why I prefer to hike alone 

100% flexibility and not having to compromise to please others, the best

After decades of solo hiking, I'm still being told not to hike alone. But I find it interesting that I've never been told that by anyone who hikes alone himself. The solitude becomes a good friend whom you must visit again and again. Maybe that's why Thoreau said: "I never found the companion that is so companionable as solitude." In solitude there is time to think, to listen to the sound of silence, to meditate, and to drop off all that clutter and baggage of worries and stress of the "civilized" world. We all need both society and solitude.... it's just that some of us need solitude more.

You hit on all the good ones, for sure. I am a little Irishman with short legs and I'm not so young anymore, so I don't want to worry about trying to keep up with competitive people. Also, I'm learning to be more of a camping backpacker (enjoying the time at camp and the stops/views along the way more than the hike itself) so I enjoy hiking my own hike. The time alone is great too...I won't sing (**shudders**) but I will talk to God and get out all my frustrations, struggles, failings, etc. and leave them on the trail (preferably in a smelly bog somewhere) before I hit that summit and feel that sense of accomplishment. Thanks for your openness and honesty in your videos. I enjoy them very much.

I can relate I always waiting for others mood to hike, I wanted to camp with tents timeless and my friends just wanted to sleep in a hotel after a hike that´s not my spirit, so I started going alone, people say I would go crazy for spending too much time alone I think the best benefit of being alone is that by listening to the silence and the nature you become wiser.

I can relate to the "having a conversation with an imaginary person" thing completely!! So you're not crazy...or we're both crazy 🤔 Great video! :)

I also prefer to hike alone. All for the same reasons like you. I also hiked with other people, with some friends it failed, because we had totally different needs. I was slower because of my asthma, but because of my skintone I had no problem with the sun, the others were trying to go faster, as they needed to be able to sit in the shadow in the afternoon, so we split up, and met at the tentspot, and ate dinner together, but it was just not cool, because they were already hungry when I arrived, and I just wanted to put up my tent and sit for a moment, and I wasn't able to directly eat. So it never really fitted for anyone. But I was positively surprised, when I went hiking with my boyfriend this summer. Everything just fitted, and we were able to support and motivate each other. And picked great campingspots, because two eyes just see more. And we both didn't feel the need to talk. So that was super relaxing. The most important part about hiking for me is to come down and relax, and feel the nature. Listing to all the small sounds and breath the woods, grass, whatever is there. I can relax faster if I'm alone, sometimes, I can't relax at all when other people are around. And I also sing and talk to myself. As I child I often heard my mom talking to herself, when she thought she was alone. I asked her, why she was doing it, and she told me, she sometimes need to talk to a sane person, when everything around is going crazy. 😄

Sometimes when I go on a day hike I do not plan where I am going. Walk down to the bus stop and get the first bus. Complete freedom. If you're with someone they want to know where they are going. Thanks for the vids.

Another important reason for me: I get to confront myself with myself. No escape, no hiding, no pushing things away, no distractions (of the human sort, at least).

I think hiking alone is a whole different experience. There is no distraction by other people. I feel I can soak up the environment and nature much more intensely and reach a flow state. This is the no 1 reason for me going alone.

Best part of talking to yourself is you have a completely captive audience

I have never hiked alone, but when I was 25 I went backpacking in Thailand for 6 weeks on my own. That was also very life transforming. And I understand all of the reasons you have stated.

Brilliant ! The singing alone out loud is a REAL reason ! I agree with everything you say here and nobody can understand how freeing and empowering it is until they’ve tried (not just the singing, the whole shebang !) Go Floor, love your videos 🙌🏼

well done :) I also enjoy hiking alone very much and can relate to almost everything you're saying in this video! Hiking alone is so good for overcoming fears, embracing challenges and for becoming a stronger person in general. I think that you're experiencing all your surroundings more intensely when you're on your own. Good luck with all your future trips and may you walk all the miles that you are about to walk with the same joy and determination that you're having today!

Floor, you're such an inspiration for all the young women who are afraid of just anything in life. You nailed it. I'm also a solo hiker woman. And I've done many things in life alone. Remember in life if it doesn't kill you, it will make stronger. ☮🌹

It's just you and your thoughts and if you seek some peace of mind there is no beating the trail... I hiked several hikes after my breakup end 2022 and I cried my eyes out because of the pain but also because of the beauty of nature. But I wanted to feel how it could be to be all by myself and if I could handle being alone.. I have always climbed mountains and done short hikes but doing long multi-week hikes has been the most succesful 'therapy' I can imagine.. now I am looking forward to do loads of new long hikes on my own.. it's become an addiction and the only tears I have now are because of the beauty of nature and the feeling of total freedom and ease of mind while I am in nature.. so be careful.. it is addictive ;-) and yeah.. singing is fun too :-)

I hike about half the time alone. There are advantages as you say, like being able to hike at whatever pace you want, stop when you want, keep hiking if you want. But overall I prefer to share the time hiking with a good friend (not a group).

when you're alone for many days you have two big opportunities: the first you appreciate more the company of people and your relationship are more authentic. The second, maybe more important than the first, is the you can reach the insight, so rare in daily life, and you can be one with all the things around you: the animals, the stones, the sky, the rain, the plants...everything!

When I Hike I often yell as loud as I can to release anger, and it helps and it feels really good. :) thanks for sharing

Wow, totally relatable regarding the thinking/talking to yourself, glad I'm not the only one 🙈🤣🤣

There is no drama when going solo! 😊Especially a plus on long thru hikes as I learned on the AT

Thanks for this video! I am thinking about going on a hike alone and you gave me a lot of reasons to finally do it.

Something else, that you seem to have left out in this video, is that it actually helps you in real life.

Floor, I love this video!!!! Seriously!!! Great job!!!!

I like hiking alone so I can enjoy the silence. No talking. Love it. Be one with nature without any distractions.

I am also solo hiking and you are absolutily right, your eight reasons are right on the spot. 👍😊

Best and most in-depth video in this topic I've ever seen! Thank you for being so honest! And I have imaginary conversations with people all the time too, so don't worry about it =D I usually hike with my SO but always wanted to try and go off on my own, you've just filled me with motivation to do that =)

I'm a solo hiker too.Loved your video. Absolutely spot on.

Hello Floor Denil. I like your videos, maybe because I'm a solo hiker too and I identify with them. I wish you health and good walks

Hiking is my ”real life”! 😊 And yes, I love to hike alone as well. Best feeling and I love it when I try to explain these feelings to someone else... And great to hear we have another singer in the team! 😁

I can relate to this, everything you said is spot on. I can be a bit of a control freak sometimes because I just like things done in a particular way and being in complete control of my own hike is amazing for me. If I want some company, I'll put my ear phones in and put a podcast on. I don't have to please anyone and this is such a relief to not have that stress. If I make a mistake with someone else present that usually has some kind of an impact on them too which makes me feel a bit guilty, I then feel the need to be more passive moving forward because of this being in the back of my mind which then irritates me because I'm now doing something I may not be keen on because I feel the need to balance it out... I can be really lazy getting up and out to do some solo stuff, but every time I have loved it beyond belief.

Hey from Sweden 🇸🇪 i must say I love your videos 👍 you talk about good things. Solo hike is the best...!

Solitude brings serenity !

ik hou echt van jouw videos!! ik wil dit jaar misschien ook de kungsleden lopen voor een deel of helemaal en door jouw voel ik me nog zekerder om het alleen te lopen!!!!!!

Hi Floor, just subscribed to your channel. I love your fun presentation. Ive been hiking both on my own and groups. I prefer alone for the independence that gives. I prefer hot climates though, not ccccold ones, hence Utah, Arizona, Colorado and NMexico. A different set of parameters are necessary for these destinations. I choose these places because i live in the UK, its always wet, or cccold, or lacking the landscapes that feed my soul.

Zalig! Ik ga over een dikke 2 maand de PCT wandelen van Mexico tot Mt. Whitney, mijn eerste solo backpacking trip. Ik wandelde voordien altijd met 2 of in groep, maar kijk er enorm naar uit om ook eens alleen op stap te gaan. En je filmpje maakte me net nog enthousiaster :-D

I can relate with most of your reasons and approach.

The barb wire fence behind you, makes me think of hiking in Texas (you should do it also), looks like same country, interesting, love your lists, amazing insight, tks for vid Lucian

You are an amazing person. I'm inspired by you and seriously considering going on a hike. It would be my first

im totally agree , i love hiking alone ❤

No.7 is huge. The amount of times I've gone the wrong way for a few minutes, or slipped or annoyed by something small and then shouted 'FUCK OFF!' like a crazy person. It's so cathartic! :'D

Completely agree with you! Solo thru-hike all the way 😄

I love to hike alone. But not only when it comes to hiking, traveling alone is also something I like to do on my own. 100% because of the reasons you said. And yes, I'm having those imaginary conversations as well. Sometimes with imaginary people, sometimes with someone I know, just to process things. Two weeks ago I rant at my mum loudly in the woods. And sometimes I have a rant at myself. And I'm singing as well. My biggest reason is my "me time" (it's your point 5 with a little plus). I need some time just for me alone to empty my brain and I want to get new impressions / views to get my creativity going. But I would also hike in a group IF I had enough me time and IF it would be ok to walk in your own pace. It's possible with some people but mainly I just love doing my hikes alone. The most question I get is: "Aren't you afraid?" or "Isn't that boring?" "No." and "Never." PS: 8:00 is the best part of the whole video, I feel you. ❤️

sending hugs and good vibes!

This really sounds very familiar! Although regarding 5) I'm often having imaginary arguments :D For me the biggest part of this independence thing is that if you want to do Kungsleden, you do Kungsleden. You don't wait 2 years until you find a proper companion with matching holiday slot. I look forward into this year and think "ok, what will I do this year?" And I do it :)

I do downhill (enduro) mountainbiking alone, people always call me crazy but i think its perfect.

Also a solo hiker!! Can so relate :)

Thank you for a very good video.

You're taking it all in better when you're hiking alone (the scenery, environment). When I'm hiking with my girlfriend (or just with a girl/woman), part of my senses and attention is taken by her, so the mountains are on the side a bit. I can walk with a male-friend as it's sort of alone as we can distance ourselves on the trail and just catch up every time and then, so having the time to think or to pretend that we are alone, so in fact you are more approachable by others (one of the things you mentioned, it's true).

Definitely, I agree. Exactly why I hike alone.

Zó geestig om eens een Vlaming op pad te zien Floor! En echt motiverend om de botiennen aan te trekken en de twijfels om al dan niet solo te gaan, te laten varen! :-) good to find like minded people, happy trails!

I power hike and I tend to go a lot faster than a lot of people. Plus, I don’t need to wait for people and try to accommodate others on their time as well. Though, riding with someone and taking a nap instead of driving all the time would be nice.

I can sign everything including the singling out loud :) besides being upset. I love hiking just too much to be upset while doing it.

I like hiking alone as well and I can relate with most of these reasons.

Wauw... Merci voor de bevestiging! Someone I can relate to! Morgen vertrek ik! Ah nee...

Hi Floor and thanks a lot for thi empowering video, i got goosebumps and my eyes got watery in some moments hehe. I had experiences in the Alps thou, when it seemed to me, that would be maybe fatal if i would have been on my own. Do you think its relevant after your experiences? Planning to go GR20 this summerrrr

You look so much fun to be around :)

Number 5 hit me hard. You are not crazy. I hope.

Fascinating, and great Scott you’re honest. I love your independence, but that only works if you’ve got a boyfriend at home (your loneliness needs an emotional partner somewhere) who can let you go completely, utterly and absolutely, so you know he’s not a back-up.

A very important one, is that people are more likely to share stuff with you or help you out when you're alone. I asked two strangers if there was a bench in the village to eat my lunch. We started talking, and they invited me in for a warm meal, a beer, and fresh apple pie. In the next village I could put my tent in the garden of a guy, who offered me a beer, and even laid an extension cord to the tent, so I could charge my powerbank and my phone in the tent. They gave me spaghetti, and I could take a shower and a shit in their house. Those things would not have been possible in group, so that's certainly an advantage. That night there even was a party in town, so I went, and everyone was looking strange at me. I started talking to some people, and an hour later everyone was bringing me beer, and they even convinced me to stay an extra night in Burg-Reuland, because there would again be a party the next night. I don't think I would've made friends that quickly if I had brought my own, if you ask me :)

I take it as a helpful 9. Moral of the story Just you and yourself with Naturalistic vibes.

I live alone and like walking alone as it's just an extension of my daily life. Although if a friend wanted to accompany me I wouldn't say no but I'd let them know my game plan and goals beforehand to see if that suited them.

Oh, these are really different from mine: the big ones for me (on my long walks here) is 1) I get to enjoy the silence when I want, and/or 2) I get to listen to my poscasts or audiobooks without interruption and 3) I get more breath and can perform better as I don't need to talk just because of the apparent uneasiness of silence 4) don't need to feel guilty because I took a decision that affects someone else (e.g. got lost, yes, had that a lot) and 5) get to do everything exactly at my own tempo, i.e. I won't injure or kill anybody because I can do more than them (hence I will perform better because they won't slow me down) or vice versa (more likely) 6) I can walk at night if I want, which I also like to do, and maybe that sounds creepy, but in winter the days here are just too short...

Floor, ik ben benieuwd waar jou volgend wandelavontuur naar toe gaat (as die Covid eindelijk het land uit is) ? IJsland, Ierland, Finland of toch naar het zonnige zuiden?

I'm a solo hiker as well, mostly with the same reasons. Really. I can't stand people mourning, besides its me to think too much for them,like if they are OK, am I not too fast for them (mostly) or maybe I'm slowing down (rarely).. That's really annoying. And I like to meet people, take a chitchat on trail for a minute. or two. ;-) PS. You should try Tatras to hike for a few days. See you. And greetings from PL :-)

In one word it's called freedom !

I also mostly hike alone 🙌 😎

I like to walk on my own oace to, fast, running or very slow. I just can go on the speed I fell like going

Volledig met je eens, ge doet wa ge wilt. En welke trekking's staan er op u lijstje voor 2020 ?

Yep heel het bos bij elkaar schreeuwen/zingen soms moeilijk om daar een onderscheid in te vinden

when/where is your next hike? and surely you'll be speaking English in that video right?! did appreciate the subtitles in the hiking videos though

👍

Also, if you fall or do something stupid, nobody is there to see you and embarrass you in front of others in future :D

You are very pretty 😍😍😍😍

You are too cute! Come to Big Bend National Park, Texas, USA and I’ll show you around. I live there. It’s very nice 🙂

And I was just about to ask if you wanted a friend for your next walk?

Are you planning to go on the big ones? PCT, for example? Hiking alone is always better, unless you share the same passion with your other half. Congratulations on your achievements.

I talk to bees and birds , and they seems understanding me.

Jaa, tegen mezelf praten in imaginaire conversaties! Soms ook onbewust in publiek 😅. Ik zie dat ook als verwerking van of voorbereiding op toekomstige conversaties. En luidop zingen is echt wel een volle negende reden. Of half dansend wandelen op muziek🎉. Meestal teken dat ik in een goede wandelvibe ben. Toffe video’s Floor!

Always have a gun , atleast that is what I told myself before the bear started running towards me

10. You can walk away from irritating people.

Could you sing us a little song ???

also when u recording a video or take a photo there alot of time to do it no need " come on we need to go " :L

I hike alone because I have no friends.

I like hiking alone because people are ducked and I hate them.

Are you trying to meet a serial killer?

I hike solo because I have 0 friends....

not that solo is better or join a team is (could or couldn't be) bad, maybe someone should just enjoy both otherwise u'r on ur way to become a psychopath....sorry no offence!

Typical independent liberated young Dutch women. That may change if Islam ever dominates the Netherlands and Belgium