What should you do if someone follows you while hiking?
If someone seems to be following you on a hike, head back toward the trailhead, a busy junction or other hiking groups rather than deeper into the backcountry. Step aside and let them pass to test it. Tell other hikers you are uneasy and walk with them. Call 911 if you feel threatened and have signal, and tap SOS in Holler so your Guardians can see your last location if the signal drops.
What to do on the trail
01Step off and let them pass
On a narrow trail, people end up behind you all the time. Stop at a wide spot, take a drink, and wave them by. A hiker with a plan of their own will go past. Someone who also stops, hangs back, or asks where you are headed next deserves a closer look.
02Turn toward people, which usually means back
The trailhead, a campground or a popular viewpoint is where the witnesses are. Heading farther out to lose someone takes you away from help and possibly out of signal. Retracing your steps also means you know the ground.
03Join other hikers
Tell a passing group that someone is making you uncomfortable and ask to walk with them. Hikers are used to looking out for each other. A group of three or four ends most unwanted attention.
04Use signal while you have it
If you feel threatened, call 911 and give the trail name, the park, your nearest junction or mile marker, and a description. Your phone's compass or map app can show your coordinates to read out. Coverage on trails is patchy, so make the call the moment you have bars; a text to 911 may get through where a call won't, in areas that support it. Our guide to losing cell service on a hike explains what to do when you cannot.
05Send an SOS before you lose coverage
Tap SOS in Holler so your Guardians are notified with your location. If you walk into a dead zone, updates pause, but the last known location stays visible to them. Holler never contacts 911, so your Guardian knows to call if they cannot reach you.
06Report it to rangers
Once safe, tell the park office or ranger station what happened, with the time, the trail and a description. Land managers track this and can post warnings or patrol the area.
Related questions
Should I hide off the trail?
Usually not. Leaving the trail can get you lost or hurt, and it takes you further from people and signal. Moving toward the trailhead or other hikers is a better plan in almost every case.
What should I carry for peace of mind when hiking alone?
A charged phone, a battery pack, a whistle to draw attention, and a trip plan left with someone. Our hiking alone safety guide covers the full setup.
What if the person is camping near me?
Trust your unease. Pack up and move to a spot near other campers or back to the trailhead if it is safe to do so, and let a ranger know. A different campsite is a small price for a good night's sleep.
What should I say if they speak to me?
Keep it short and calm, and keep moving. You don't owe anyone your route, your name or where you parked. A plain "I'm meeting friends up ahead" or a firm "Please give me some space" is enough. Don't argue, and don't let them walk between you and the way back.
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Sources, checked September 2026: Alexandria (Indiana) Police Department: Personal safety tips, Apple Support: Use Emergency SOS on your iPhone, Wikipedia: Text-to-911 (availability, FCC registry, bounce-back messages), NYC Text-to-911: call if you can, text if you can't.
More safety answers, or see the safety guides.