Group Hike Checklist: Gear, Safety, and Coordination

The more thought you put into planning the hike before it begins, the fewer chances there’ll be for something to go wrong.

Start with the group itself. Are you taking pensioners out for a leisurely nature walk, or having a college track team tackle a challenging stretch with serious elevation changes? Judging the group’s physical fitness and making sure the least capable members can still keep up comfortably will help everyone have a good time.

Group composition will reflect on the hike’s purpose. Are they interested in sightseeing or conquering difficult trails? Do they want a camping experience? Maybe the group wants to bird or hunt for morels. Either way, it’s important to gauge interest in and set expectations for the hike.

Once you know what the group wants and can handle, picking a trail becomes much easier. Consider:

Travel times to the trailhead;
Approximate hiking distance you want to cover;
Sudden difficulty spikes and other distinct trail features;
Any reservations or fees you may need to pay;
The weather forecast.

Gear Planning

What to bring depends on a lot of factors: the hike’s type and length, season, weather, remoteness, etc. That said, there are some items everyone should bring, and others the group needs as a whole.

Individual essentials

Everyone needs some sturdy hiking boots and at least two pairs of socks. This is non-negotiable for traversing different types of terrain and keeping wet feet a minor inconvenience at worst.

You’ll want to pack layers of clothing, even in summer, since temperatures drop noticeably at higher altitudes. Bring a waterproof jacket if you expect more than light rainfall, plus a cover for your backpack. A brimmed hat and sunglasses will deal with glare, while sunscreen will keep your skin from getting crispy.

Each person should carry trail-appropriate food, like nuts and similar non-perishables. The same goes for water and purification tablets in case you need to get more from a stream. Tool-wise, everyone should carry a headlamp or flashlight, a multitool, and a small first-aid kit.

Group supplies

On top of this, you’ll also want to distribute supplies among the group. Extra water is never a waste, nor are paracord, a power bank, and a larger tarp in case the group needs to take shelter.

Longer hikes mean overnight supplies, like tents, canister stoves and fuel, lanterns, as well as communal cooking supplies.

Maps and Navigation Tools

While every group hike needs a competent leader, not getting lost in the wilderness without a clue what to do is everyone’s responsibility.

Thoroughly go over the trail before departing. The group should carry a few physical maps and compasses, and each member ought to have digital maps of the hike and the region. Make sure that everyone knows how to read them and give a crash course if they don’t.

You’ll also need a way to keep up with real-time alerts for abrupt weather changes, park alerts, trail closures, etc. Easy at home, not so much if you’re hiking abroad with Wi-Fi nowhere in sight. However, there’s an easy fix for this. For example, if you’re flying to the States for your hike, getting an eSIM for the USA is where it’s at.

These handy digital SIM cards provide online access via local mobile networks without you having to swap out physical SIMs, making it an excellent backup for informed navigation.

Safety Prep and Gear

A lot can go south when inexperienced groups decide to go on a hike, so related knowledge, prep, and tools are all essential.

Make note of everyone’s medical needs, especially allergies and dietary restrictions. Make sure that people with medical conditions pack prescribed medication as part of their individual first-aid kits.

Ideally, you’ll want to bring a person with at least some first-aid or medical training. Make them in charge of a more comprehensive kit that includes:

Trauma dressings and elastic wraps;
A digital thermometer;
A thermal blanket;
Burn gel;
Extra prescribed medication.

Again, it’s important for everyone to know the trail and for you to agree on landmarks where the group can meet up if someone gets lost. Implementing a buddy system will make everyone more accountable and prevent people from wandering off alone.

Coordination and Communication Tips

The entire group doesn’t always have to stick together, but you should be smart about coordination and communication, so you’re all on the same page and easy to reach.

Set a pace that the slowest members can comfortably keep up with and stick to it. Most importantly, never let the slowest members be the last! Rather, appoint an experienced hiker to act as a sweep. They’ll be the second-in-command who always makes sure you don’t leave anyone behind and can deal with any issues that arise in the back of the group.

Ensure communication through a mix of tried classics and digital means. Have every hiker bring a whistle and signal mirror, and agree on a handful of core signals. It’s also a good idea to set up a group chat beforehand that the others can access on their phones, using the best eSIMs for local connectivity if needed.

A group hike is a group project — it’s already in the name! Group responsibility and preparedness are more important than how skilled and experienced the best person among you is. With that in mind, you as a leader can absolutely make a difference and help everyone have a safe, exhilarating hiking experience. We hope that the advice this article provides will help with this.

Quick-Reference Checklist

Before you go: