It’s almost 2025, and while the idea of reinventing yourself overnight might sound tempting (thanks to those endless “new year, new you” articles), let’s be real — you’re not going to wake up tomorrow as a brand-new person. But picking up a fresh activity? That’s totally within reach.

To kick off the new year with something exciting, Terrain consulted experts in five outdoor activities to gather their top tips for beginners. Here, Debbie Njai, founder of the St. Louis-based hiking group Black People Who Hike, explains how to make 2025 the year you become a hiker. Ready to tackle a thru-hike (or at least the nearest state park)? Lace up your hiking boots, and read on.

What’s your number one tip for beginning hikers?
Get a hiking app. When I first started hiking, I was introduced to the AllTrails app, and it gave me the confidence to feel like I knew the trail before I got out there. The app has photos, reviews, and current trail conditions, so it will help you pick the right trail.

What’s the right trail for a beginner?
A trail that’s about three to four miles long and has about 300 feet of elevation gain. Some elevation is good for beginners because it gives a bit of a challenge. It’s also nice if the trail has a wow factor, like a waterfall or a scenic overlook.

Which trails in the St. Louis area are best for new hikers?
A few of my favorites are Lone Wolf Trail at Castlewood State Park (1.7 miles, 223 feet elevation), Spring Valley Trail at Cliff Cave Park (3.4 miles, 209 feet elevation), White Bison Loop at Lone Elk Park (3.1 miles, 328 feet elevation), and, on the Illinois side, the Salt Lick/Newman/Johnson trail loop at Salt Lick Point (about 3 miles and 400 feet elevation).

Black People Who Hike members in a state wildlife area. (D’Andre Lyons)

What are your other top tips for newbies?
Dress appropriately. Wear hiking boots or hiking shoes. Wear breathable clothing and layer up. Wear a hat. Bring an emergency poncho or raincoat. And then I always recommend wearing tall socks to avoid brush rubbing against your ankles and to protect you from ticks. I even wear light-colored socks so I can see the ticks on me.

What should hikers definitely pack?
At the very least, you’ll want to bring water, some healthy snacks like fruit, nuts, and granola bars, a first-aid kit, an emergency poncho, and a trash bag to dispose of your trash so you leave the trail the same way you found it. It’s also important to notify someone where you’re going and when you plan to be back.

Anything else?
Consider joining a hiking organization until you’re comfortable on your own. A hiking group will figure out everything for you, so you just have to sign up and show up. I also recommend people have fun, go at their own pace, take breaks, and drink water. And every now and then, stop and take a few photos. It’s great to be present and whatnot, but sometimes it’s good to capture photos so you have those memories to look back on.

Debbie Njai (right) and other Black People Who Hike members at Labarque Creek Conservation Area in Pacific, Missouri. (Courtesy of Debbie Njai)

By the way, when did you start hiking?
August 2019. I had gotten a new puppy, and I had a childhood friend who we had commissioned to build a fence. He was at the house over the course of months, building this big fence. We live on 10 acres in Edwardsville. He hikes all the time, and he invited me out. I went hiking with him, his wife, their new puppy, and my new puppy. And I just fell in love with hiking. It was fun. It was exhilarating. It was a stress reliever. And I just started hiking every Sunday. I was just determined to keep going. It was so much fun.

When did you start Black People Who Hike?
About a month later, in September 2019. I was hiking weekly, and at one point, I realized I was not seeing people that looked like me. And when I would invite friends, I’d hear comments like, “Black people don’t do that. This is a white activity.” I was having so much fun, and I really wanted other people in my circle, or people that looked like me in general, to be able to experience it. I started the Instagram account “Black People Who Hike” and began posting photos, and strangers started reaching out to me and wanting to join.

And it just grew from there?
Yeah. The group formed organically. It started with a text group every week. Then the text group started growing, and it turned into an email list. And then it turned into an actual signup, a link in our bio for people to sign up. I remember at one point, it was February 2020 in St. Louis, and we had 60 Black people out on the trail in the cold weather. That’s when I realized, OK, this is different.

Author: Shawn Donnelly is the managing editor of Terrain.

Top image: Debbie Njai and her dog, Brownie, at Castlewood State Park. (Jeron Wilson)