The Hidden Dangers of Hiking: How Psychology Influences Our Decisions
As someone passionate about hiking, I’ve spent years gradually building up my skills and confidence before attempting more challenging trails. I have a long wish list of hikes, but each one is carefully researched, and I take the time to train and prepare before setting out.
One incredibly challenging and remote hike I learned about many years ago was the Western Arthur Range Traverse in Tasmania. At the time, I knew it was beyond my capabilities, so I spent several years exploring many hikes in the region to expose myself to the challenges of the terrain, weather, and navigation. Hiking in remote regions of Tasmania is uniquely different from hiking on the mainland, and I needed to prepare myself for this. I also started indoor and outdoor rock climbing and practiced map and compass navigation to build my confidence for the exposed scrambling and challenging terrain found on many of the ‘wild’ hikes in Tasmania.
This methodical, gradual approach to preparing for a difficult hike stands in contrast to what we sometimes see in the hiking community. While most hikers take the necessary precautions, there are instances of people embarking on challenging hikes—sometimes in remote, dangerous terrain—without adequate preparation, experience, or the necessary skills. Some are rescued. Some never make it back. And, more often than not, the driving force behind these decisions appears to be social media.
I’ve seen it first-hand—people heading out on a hike or multi-day trek, full of enthusiasm, only to be forced to turn back when they realise the trail is far more challenging than they expected. While I applaud them for making the safe decision, it does make me wonder: How did they end up on that trail in the first place?
This got me thinking: Why do some people take on hikes well beyond their ability without fully understanding the risks? To explore this, I conducted my own research and also asked a team of psychologists for their insights. Their answers were fascinating—and somewhat concerning.
The Psychology Behind Risky Hiking Decisions
1. Optimism Bias & Overconfidence
One of the biggest reasons people underestimate a trail’s difficulty is optimism bias—the belief that bad things happen to other people, not them.
“There’s a tendency to assume, ‘If others have done it, I can too, even if those others have years of experience,” explained one psychologist. “We see this in many areas of life, but in adventure sports, it can lead to serious consequences. ”
2. Social Media’s Illusion of Simplicity
A single Instagram photo, TikTok video, or YouTube clip can make a hike look easy. What’s missing? The exhaustion, the navigation challenges, the changing weather, the need for survival skills.
“This is called cognitive ease—when information is presented in a way that makes something seem simple, people assume it is simple,” one expert told me. “But real-world challenges don’t fit neatly into a 15-second video. ”
Beyond cognitive ease, social media often portrays hikes through a curated lens—showcasing only the breathtaking views while omitting the grueling climbs, harsh weather, and navigation challenges. This selective presentation creates a false perception of trail difficulty, luring in inexperienced hikers who assume, ‘If they did it, I can too.’
3. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)
Social media has fueled a deep-seated fear of missing out. People see others standing on breathtaking summits and feel an urgent need to experience it themselves—often without thinking through the preparation required.
“In the past, people planned adventures over years, building experience along the way,” a psychologist pointed out. “Now, it’s ‘I saw it on Instagram—book the flight!’ The excitement overshadows the risks.”
Social media fuels FOMO by constantly showcasing awe-inspiring destinations. Instead of the traditional approach—researching, training, and gradually building experience—people now feel the need to book a flight overnight, often without adequate preparation. This shift from careful planning to impulsive adventure-seeking has contributed to an increase in rescues and injuries in outdoor settings.
4. The Dunning-Kruger Effect
Interestingly, some hikers often think they know more than they actually do. This cognitive bias, known as the Dunning-Kruger effect, occurs when individuals with limited experience overestimate their abilities because they lack the knowledge to recognise their own incompetence.
“Someone who has completed a few moderate hikes may assume they’re ready for an extreme trail,” the psychologists noted. “But without the experience to recognise danger, they don’t even realise what they don’t know.”
This phenomenon is particularly dangerous in hiking because people may not fully understand the risks involved in challenging trails. For instance:
- They may underestimate the difficulty of navigating remote terrain or handling sudden weather changes.
- They might not recognise subtle signs of danger, such as unstable ground or early symptoms of hypothermia.
- Without sufficient experience, they may lack the skills to make sound decisions under pressure, such as when to turn back.
The Dunning-Kruger effect also explains why some hikers persist in risky behavior even when faced with warning signs. For example, a hiker might ignore advice from more experienced individuals or dismiss environmental cues (like approaching storm clouds) because they overestimate their ability to handle the situation.
5. Social Validation & Identity
For some, hiking isn’t just about the experience—it’s about the image. The desire for social validation can push people to attempt extreme adventures, not because they genuinely want to, but because they feel compelled to for the sake of social media.
“There’s a psychological drive to seek recognition,” one psychologist explained. “If posting an impressive hike earns admiration, some people will prioritise that over their own preparedness or safety.”
This need for validation has, in some cases, led hikers to take dangerous risks—posing on cliff edges, venturing off-trail into restricted areas, or even engaging in reckless stunts—all to capture the perfect shot. Tragically, documented cases exist where these high-risk behaviors have resulted in serious injuries and fatalities.
Instead of immersing themselves in nature, some hikers become fixated on curating a highlight reel. The motivation shifts from enjoying the journey to proving something to an online audience. This mindset can lead to rushed, unsafe decision-making—choosing hikes based on how they’ll look in a post rather than personal interest or readiness.
6. Instant Gratification Culture
We live in a world of instant access—fast shipping, immediate downloads, on-demand entertainment. This mindset carries over into adventure, where people want the experience now, without the years of preparation.
“In contrast, experienced hikers understand that training, skills, and knowledge take time to develop,” the team pointed out. “That’s what makes these adventures safe and rewarding.”
Is Social Media to Blame?
Social media plays a significant role in influencing people to take on hikes beyond their ability, but it’s not the only factor at play. The desire for adventure, natural overconfidence, and a lack of experience have always led people to take unnecessary risks in the outdoors—even before social media existed.
However, social media amplifies these tendencies in ways that weren’t possible before:
- Increased exposure to more remote and extreme hikes – Instead of learning about trails from guidebooks or bushwalking clubs, people now see stunning locations on Instagram and TikTok, often without context.
- Highlighting success, hiding struggle – We mostly see triumphant summit photos, not the exhaustion, injuries, or rescues. This distorts the perception of difficulty.
- Encouraging impulsive decision-making – Social media thrives on trends, which can lead people to chase experiences without proper preparation.
- Social validation and identity – The dopamine hit from likes and comments can drive people to take risks they wouldn’t otherwise consider.
That said, these behaviors existed long before the digital age. Adventure-seekers have always been drawn to extreme challenges, and risky decisions aren’t unique to today’s social media culture. The key difference is how quickly and widely these influences now spread.
In addition to drawing attention to well-known trails, social media has also put previously hidden or low-traffic trails on the map. Viral posts can cause a sudden surge in visitors to delicate ecosystems that lack the infrastructure to handle large crowds. Without proper trail maintenance and conservation efforts, these areas face rapid environmental degradation, disrupting wildlife and damaging landscapes that once thrived in solitude.
Sensation Seeking and Risk Perception in Hiking
Expanding on the psychological factors influencing hikers’ decisions to undertake challenging trails without adequate preparation, it’s crucial to consider the role of sensation seeking—a personality trait characterised by the pursuit of novel and intense experiences, even at the risk of physical or social harm. Research indicates that individuals with high sensation-seeking tendencies are more inclined toward adventurous activities, such as hiking, and may perceive risks differently compared to those with lower sensation-seeking traits.
Studies have shown that sensation seeking significantly predicts hiking preferences. For instance, individuals scoring high on sensation-seeking scales often prefer more challenging and potentially hazardous hiking routes. This preference is linked to their desire for novel and stimulating experiences, which can sometimes lead to underestimating the associated risks.
Furthermore, research suggests that high sensation seekers may have a diminished perception of risk in adventurous activities. They might downplay potential dangers or overestimate their ability to handle challenging situations, leading to inadequate preparation and increased vulnerability during hikes.
Implications for Hiker Safety
Understanding the influence of sensation seeking on hiking behavior is vital for promoting safety. Recognising that some individuals are naturally inclined to seek thrilling experiences can help in developing targeted educational programs that emphasise the importance of preparation and risk assessment. Encouraging hikers to honestly evaluate their motivations and readiness can mitigate the risks associated with high sensation-seeking tendencies.
By integrating insights from psychological research on sensation seeking, we can better comprehend why certain individuals embark on challenging hikes without adequate preparation. This understanding is essential for developing strategies to promote safer hiking practices and reduce the incidence of accidents and rescues in outdoor adventures.
The Reality: Rescues, Injuries & Fatalities
By taking a thoughtful, well-prepared approach to hiking, we can mitigate the risks associated with challenging trails. Unfortunately, when these precautions are overlooked, the results can be disastrous.
Sadly, these psychological tendencies aren’t just theoretical—they have real-world consequences. Every year, search and rescue teams are called into action to assist hikers who have failed to prepare adequately. These incidents not only endanger the hikers themselves but also put the lives of rescuers at risk. Psychological factors like overconfidence, social media influence, and the drive for instant gratification often contribute to these tragic outcomes. Some hikers are lucky and make it back with just a bruised ego. Others aren’t so fortunate.
How to Hike Responsibly
To ensure you’re not one of the unlucky ones, preparation is key. If you’re dreaming of a bucket-list hike, that’s fantastic—but preparation is key. Without proper planning, hikers not only put themselves at risk but also endanger emergency crews tasked with rescues. The number of incidents involving unprepared hikers in Australia’s remote landscapes is rising, underscoring the need for thorough preparation. Read my guide on essential hiking preparation to ensure you’re equipped with the right knowledge and gear before setting out.
While modern devices like Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) and mobile phones can be lifesaving, they should never replace solid navigation skills, proper planning, and self-reliance. Over-reliance on emergency rescues can put unnecessary strain on services and increase risks for rescuers. Learn why self-sufficiency is critical in the wild before you head out.
It’s also important to consider the environmental impact of your hiking adventures. With social media encouraging more people to share their experiences online, geotagging has led to overcrowding on once-secluded trails, causing litter and environmental degradation. Before tagging your location, think about how it might impact the wilderness.
✔️ Research the trail—Understand terrain, difficulty, weather conditions, and required skills.
✔️ Train progressively—Build up experience on similar hikes before tackling something extreme.
✔️ Learn navigation skills—Don’t rely solely on phone apps. Carry maps, a compass, and know how to use them.
✔️ Respect nature’s unpredictability—Weather changes fast in the mountains; always have a backup plan.
✔️ Prioritise safety over social media—A photo isn’t worth risking your life.
The drive to seek adventure is part of what makes hiking so rewarding. But as these psychological insights show, excitement and impulse can sometimes override caution.
By taking a more thoughtful, prepared approach, we not only protect ourselves but also respect the trails, the environment, and the search-and-rescue teams who risk their lives to save those who take unnecessary risks.
So, the next time you see an awe-inspiring hike on social media, ask yourself: Am I truly prepared for this? Or am I just caught up in the moment?
What are your thoughts? Have you seen examples of social media, overconfidence, sensation-seeking, or the desire for instant gratification impacting thorough planning and influencing risky hiking behavior? Let’s discuss in the comments.
References:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6603918/
https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/hiking-and-backpacking/national-parks-social-media/
https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2310417121
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333636200_An_Exploration_of_Hiking_Risk_Perception_Dimensions_and_Antecedent_Factors
https://www.liberty.edu/campusrec/2019/07/11/how-is-social-media-affecting-the-great-outdoors/
https://www.nosto.com/blog/social-media-influence-travel-decisions/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263029682_Low_Versus_High_Sensation-seeking_Tourists_A_Study_of_Backpackers%27_Experience_Risk_Perception
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31167460/
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jtr.878
Absolutely loved this article! Especially #4 Dunning-Kruger. There are so many great hikes to enjoy – without it feeling like a box-ticking exercise to harder and harder summit attempts. Staying humble has kept me safe and still had me on some very cool adventures.
Thank you so much. I’m really glad you enjoyed it and totally agree, there are so many walks that we can all access at our own pace and in our own way. I enjoyed researching this piece as I also learnt a lot about my own motivations for exploring. Thank you again, cheers, Darren.
A solid read. TBH while gear reviews are a nice dopamine hit. This is the kind of article that belies the depth of experience and knowledge that underpins this website. And the conversations around topics like these are what’s going to help us become better hikers. Thanks Darren!
Murky Murk thank you. The gear reviews give me a good dopamine hit too, especially when I’m field testing. I do enjoy articles like this as while researching the evidence and journals, I learn a lot myself. Glad to hear you enjoyed it.
Darren Edwards Even better, your article had me review my own knowledge and acknowledge the gaps (for future action when planning a tough hike).
Extroverts are risk takers. I’m happy to be an introvert haha
Great article! Thanks for posting it!
Simon de Foe thank you. Glad you enjoyed it. Lots to think about.
This should be required reading for all hikers. Preparation is everything! Thank you for putting this information together.
Carol Challis thank you. It’s my pleasure. I learnt a lot too while writing it.
I hike in a state of alert but joyful paranoia that celebrates nature while also assuming something terrible is going to happen at virtually any moment. I also over-cater. Another coffee and biscuit? Why, I think I’d like that! [sits on snake, sighs]. Told you.
Ben Marshall hope you brought your snake bandages.
Absolutely. If we find an injured snake, or sit on one by accident, we have bandages that can support their injury until we a/ can get them to wildlife hospital or b/ we die from the inevitable snakebite.
I would like to talk about “social media’s illusion of simplicity”.
I passionately HATE that with a passion.
Skipping down the trail with lovely music and prancing unicorns, oh its all so lovely and happy.
The end.
Peter Jolly I haven’t seen any unicorns in your videos yet? What’s with that? Maybe the terrain you are exploring is too challenging for them.
Ill think of something decent to explain why i do stuff.
Peter Jolly I can see your passion and intrigue for what you do.
Peter Jolly in that case, I’d like to talk about all the so-called hiking influencers who are only ever bikini clad, standing in front of, or swimming near waterfalls. I mean seriously, is that what you need to do to get followers?
Samantha Herald
True.
Makes it look like its all roses and unicorns, probably have a team out there with them.
Mind you i saw some on the weekend dressed like they were going out to a fancy gym.
Does it make people want to go out there i wonder?
Peter Jolly this is just my opinion, but I think it’s more about who will pay you to post content. Activewear and swimwear has a broader audience than hiking gear and possibly more money to spend. But hiking is popular, so combine the two, and you are a successful outdoor influencer.
Fantastic article. Very well put.
Scott Blockley good read
I agree with what you said. There’s one thing that bothers me though is that the Western Arthurs Traverse is graded 5 same as some trails in the Grampians. Wells cave and Kings canyon in the Cathedral ranges are also graded 5 even though one is more dangerous than the other one. The US and Canada have a more detailed grading system that we could adopt and have 5a to 5e or grade 5 to 9 (to replace the class 1 to 5) . This wouldn’t solve the problem but it might stop some people making the wrong choice. If the official authorities don’t want to change i reckon bloggers should start rating scrambling tracks with a more accurate system 🤙
Nicolas Delhorbe thank you. It’s a really good point you’ve raised. One of the challenges is that the Australian Walking Track Grading System (AWTGS) was developed to help land managers communicate with the general public about the level of challenge on more publicly accessible trails.
But these days, many of us are seeking out remote and technical routes that the AWTGS was never really designed to cover.
So when land managers—or people like me—assign a grade, we’re limited to the framework of that system. There are definitely some tracks that warrant a higher grading, which could help address the issue you mentioned. But until an expanded or alternative system exists, anything beyond that would be unofficial and based purely on the opinion and experience of the person assigning it. I’ve seen how unsafe that can be on other platforms.
Unless there’s a broader push to evolve the grading system, my best advice is to treat any Grade 5 walk as a prompt to do thorough research into all aspects of the route, terrain, and environment. That way, each person can make an informed decision—because, as you’ve highlighted, the number alone often doesn’t tell the full story. It’s up to each of us to uncover that story through planning and preparation.
An excellent read, thank you! Some timely reminders and fresh tips, the links within were also very worthwhile ✅
Bruce Pipkorn thanks Bruce. Really appreciated
Ill go through each of the highlighted points one at a time.
1. Optimism Bias & Overconfidence.
Optimism Bias:
:A cognitive bias that causes someone to believe that they themselves are less likely to experience a negative event…
I’m not to sure I think that way but, I’m more “yeah whatever”. I could get hit by a bus too.
Overconfidence:
Nah, I just know what i can do.
For example in my first ever video i didn’t go down Ah Kow because it was too steep.
2. Social Media’s Illusion of Simplicity.
It’s the reason i started making videos to show people what tracks were “really” like.
I went on a hike and because it looked easy in a video and did it as my first time out. I couldn’t walk for three days and was totally exhausted.
That could influence some people to do something they aren’t ready for, it did me.
3. Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)
Nope don’t care.
But I really enjoy seeing what others do and I enjoy their achievements.
As long as they aren’t posers.
4. The Dunning-Kruger Effect
I know what I know. I don’t know what you know which may be a lot more or less than me.
Remember that your 70% may be someone else’s 100%
But i see it more as the 4 stages of competence
Unconscious incompetence – you have no idea that you you have no idea. ( want to drive and think its so easy and everyone is an idiot)
Conscious incompetence – You now know you have no idea. (Learner driver)
Conscious competence – You know you have no idea, you can do it and are working to get the skill you need but have to practice and work on it to get it right. (P plates)
Unconscious competence. You now can do it without thinking. (Driving for years and do it without thinking) This can lead to being over confidant in some cases and take risks.
Social Validation & Identity.
Yes i have seen this a lot. I come back from 18kms and others are heading out in all their glory, makeup, bright coloured items, cameras going, the lot.
Yep blocking the trail taking selfies.
Id love 20k views on each of my vids, but if only 1 person watches and it helps that 1 person I’m happy. Mind you I have had 1 video with over 28k views, no idea why.
Instant Gratification Culture
This goes with the one above.
For me I train in a certain way every week so i can go out and know full well I’m ready, nothing instant about that at all.
Yeah, lots of over- reliance on phone maps (which I love) and not enough basic map and compass skills, double checking locations and reassessment as people or conditions change. I’ve taught nav at Uni level and still have been geographically embarrassed. Other times solid nav skills have got me out of trouble. In good teams there is a leader in front and tail end Charlie is double checking all work.
This is really interesting, thank you!
Another great article, thanks so much.
The Dunning Kruger effect is such an increasing issue in outdoor sports atm. We see it quite a bit more in our business. “ I did this thing for five minutes but I watched some people do it on YouTube so now I’m going to go and challenge Myself in an advanced environment”
I guess a lot of of us oldies can remember that learning outdoor skills meant years of hanging around people that already had those skills and earning our stripes. Once apon a time
Also an ongoing challenge is cognitive biasing. It’s interesting that Backcountry and Alpine professionals learn a lot about this including group dynamics in their training but it really doesn’t spread out into the wider community.
Something that also frustrates me in this country ( but countries like Canada for instance do very well ) is the lack of transparent recording of accidents either fatalities or near misses in outdoor sports. There’s almost a culture here of not talking about what’s happened whereas if it was recorded and discussed in a nonjudgemental way to try to work out how we can all do better I think many people both professional and recreational would benefit from these learnings.
With more and more people getting injured and stuck in places that they probably should have never been in in the first place I guess the question remains – how can we address this in a constructive way?
In the last year, our business has taught hundreds of people basic map and compass navigation skills as well as general outdoor safety but these are the people that think they need to learn these skills in the first place. The issue is there are a lot of people that don’t think they need to learn these skills……
Kelly Van Den Berg Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment—and I really appreciate your kind words about the article.
You’ve raised so many important points. The Dunning-Kruger effect really does seem to be a growing concern in the outdoors space, particularly with the rise of online content that can oversimplify what’s actually required for complex environments.
Haha, I also remember those days of learning outdoor skills by just hanging around more experienced people (mostly my parents), being part of groups like Cubs, and slowly earning your stripes through time spent outside. It definitely fostered a long-term, respect-based relationship with the outdoors.
Cognitive bias is another crucial area that deserves more attention outside professional circles. Like you said, backcountry and alpine professionals are trained to recognise these psychological factors, but it rarely filters down to the broader community. It’s a real gap in general outdoor education.
You also make a great point about the lack of transparent accident and near-miss reporting here in Australia. I’ve been thinking about this a lot from an educational perspective. One challenge is that our search and rescue operations are state-based, which can limit the sharing of data across borders. From what I’ve seen, these agencies tend to focus on the immediate task of rescue, and prevention-oriented data collection often takes a back seat. When incident data is recorded, it’s usually used for internal purposes—like allocating resources or understanding the psychology of how people behave when they go missing, which helps guide search strategies. While these are important uses, they don’t necessarily help inform or educate the broader outdoor community. There’s a missed opportunity to use this information constructively to help prevent similar incidents in the future.
I’ve been speaking with a few outdoor organisations about the potential for a national database of incidents—something that helps us understand ‘why’ things happen, not just ‘that’ they happened. I think there’s real potential for learning here.
As for your question—’how do we address this constructively?’—that’s exactly the question driving my article. Once the horse has bolted, it can be difficult to intervene, so I’m shifting some of my focus toward younger generations. Outdoor education was part of my schooling growing up, and I’d love to see more accessible resources introduced in schools again. If we can equip future hikers and adventurers with foundational skills and a thoughtful mindset early on, we may have a better chance of preventing some of these incidents.
I totally agree with your final point, too—often the people who sign up for training are already aware of their limitations. It’s the ones who ‘don’t think’ they need those skills who may be most at risk. There’s that old saying, “You can lead a horse to water…”—I just hope more people don’t end up learning the hard way.
Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience and reflections. These are exactly the kinds of conversations we need more of in the outdoor community.