What should you do if someone follows you while trail running?
If someone follows you on a trail run, turn around and run back toward the trailhead, a busy junction or other trail users instead of pushing deeper into the woods. Test it by stepping aside at a wide spot. Keep your phone handy and call 911 as soon as you have signal if you feel threatened. Tap SOS in Holler so your Guardians see where you are, even if coverage fails later.
Handling it on singletrack
01Pull over at a wide spot
Trail runners pass and get passed constantly, so a person behind you is normal. Stop where the trail widens and let them go by. Another runner will usually nod and carry on. Someone on foot who stops too, or who reappears at the next junction, is a concern.
02Reverse direction toward the trailhead
Your fitness is a real advantage, and running back the way you came puts it to work. You know the footing, you are heading toward parked cars and people, and you are usually moving back into signal. Pushing further out on an unfamiliar loop does the opposite.
03Watch your footing while you move fast
A sprained ankle or a hard fall on roots and rocks makes a bad situation worse. Move quickly but within your control, especially on descents. A steady fast pace toward people beats an all-out sprint into a technical section.
04Get help from others on the trail
Tell the next runners, hikers or riders you meet that someone is following you and ask to stay with them. Trail users look out for each other, and a group changes the situation fast.
05Call 911 and send an SOS
When you have bars and feel threatened, call 911 with the trail name, the park and your nearest junction or trail marker. If you can't talk while moving, text 911 where it's supported, putting your location first. Tap SOS in Holler so your Guardians are notified with your live location by email and push. If you lose signal, they still see your last known location. Holler does not dispatch help itself.
06Tell rangers and change your pattern
Once you're safe, report it to the park office or land manager with the time, trail and description, and file a police report for anything threatening. For the next few weeks, run a different trailhead or at busier times, and ask a friend to join the early or late runs.
Related questions
Should I run off the trail to lose them?
No. Bushwhacking at speed is a fast way to get hurt or lost, and it takes you away from people. Stay on the trail and head toward the trailhead or a busier section.
Are headphones a bad idea on trails?
They cut your awareness of people approaching from behind, along with bikes and wildlife. If you use them, keep the volume low or use one ear. Our trail running safety guide covers this and more.
What should I tell someone before a trail run?
The trailhead, the loop you plan to run, and when you expect to be back. A return time is worth setting on longer runs. If you haven't checked in five minutes after it, Holler sends your Guardians an overdue alert with your last known location.
What if they are waiting at my car?
Don't walk up to it. Stay near other people at the trailhead, or back on the trail with a group, and call 911. Mention the vehicle and where the person is standing. It's better to wait for help than to fumble with keys beside someone who followed you.
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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.