How to share the trail
- 1Know the yield order — bikers yield to all; hikers yield to horses; uphill hikers have the right of way.
- 2Yield to stock safely — step to the downhill side, stand still, and talk calmly so you don't spook horses or mules.
- 3Yield downhill-to-uphill — descending, step aside and let climbers keep going.
- 4Announce and greet — a calm "hello" when approaching from behind; ask to pass at a good spot.
- 5Stay on the trail — don't widen it or cut switchbacks; step off only to yield; avoid muddy stretches that damage easily.
- 6Keep it quiet — voices down, no speakers or devices blaring; let nature's sounds prevail.
- 7Respect wildlife and the land — keep your distance from animals, leave natural things be, and pack out everything.
When to use it
- Every hike on shared trails — mixed use with bikers, equestrians, and other hikers.
- Teaching the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace Principle 7 in practice.
- Group and patrol hikes, where a whole troop can easily crowd others without meaning to.
Common mistakes & safety
- Yielding to horses is a safety issue. A startled horse can injure its rider and bystanders — step to the downhill side, stay still and calm, and speak softly so the animal knows you're a person.
- Give wildlife space. Approaching animals is dangerous for you and harmful to them — keep required distances and move calmly.
- Stay on the trail. Cutting switchbacks and widening trails causes erosion, can put you on unstable ground, and gets people lost.
- Keep your group visible and together. A troop spread across or blocking a trail is both rude and a safety problem — stay to one side and keep the group cohesive.
- Announce yourself. Surprising someone (or an animal) on a narrow trail can cause a fall — a calm greeting prevents it.
Going deeper
- "Bikes yield to feet, feet yield to hooves." The one-line right-of-way order.
- Downhill gives way to uphill. Climbers have the momentum and the harder restart, so the person going down steps aside.
- Step below a horse, not above. Yield to the downhill side and talk calmly — a horse spooked by something above it is dangerous.
Official source
Hiking etiquette — National Park Service →Part of Leave No Trace Principle 7 ("Be Considerate of Other Visitors") and the Outdoor Code.