What would you do if you were hiking along a trail and realised that you were lost? Just stop where you are. There are many landmarks on the trail, a trail marker or anything to maintain the trail activity, try to recall them.

You need to turn and look around. Usually, the trail marker or blazes are set in the two opposite directions and it is possible that you might see a trail marker directed at the opposite side that you passed earlier. This trick is very useful and works on the trail like the Appalachian Trail. In case, you recognise any landmark or trail marker then resume your journey from that point.

If you don’t know which trail you have to follow, choose a direction and start following it. At trail junctions, you will see the trails marked with directions. There are chances that you’ll meet other people on the trail who’ll help you with the right direction. While hiking along a trail, if you reach the dead-end, there is no need to panic, just turn around and start following the same path.

In case you are clueless about your location and cannot see any landmark or trail marker, it is possible that you are not on any trail. It is advisable to stay there and wait for someone to locate you. Don’t move here and there as it will make the searching complex and result in delay to find you. If you have your mobile phone with you, ask for help from the local police. They can find you through the mobile phone signal. In case you own a personal locator beacon or a satellite locator, the search and rescue team will be notified through emergency SOS beacon feature.  I always recommend that you inform someone before you go hiking.

You should never wander around without a proper trip plan as it can be unsafe for you. So, it is always suggested to follow the rivers or streams if you’re lost as the vegetation and the rocky land will take you to the countryside areas. The most sensible thing to do is to wait for someone to find you.