Long solo nude hikes in remote locations are a truly unique and beautiful experience. They’re as much about physical endurance as they are about mental strength. The act of walking for hours, sometimes covering dozens of kilometers through the wilderness, far from the nearest town or house, creates a sense of exhilaration that’s hard to describe. It’s just you, completely alone, with only yourself to rely on if anything goes wrong. That feeling of self-reliance is liberating, but also a reminder of the risks involved.

To embark on such hikes, you need to be in good physical shape and be well-prepared. It’s not just about packing the essentials, but about thinking ahead, imagining potential scenarios, and having the discipline to be aware of your surroundings at all times. Hiking solo in these remote places requires a sense of adventure, a will to push through when things get tough, but also the common sense to know when to call it quits if conditions become too dangerous.

The rewards of hiking in such a way are varied, and they differ from person to person. For me, it’s all about the sense of freedom I experience. When I’m hiking naked, I feel like I’m shedding not just my clothes but all of society’s rules and expectations. I feel liberated, truly happy, and deeply connected to Nature. There’s something incredibly humbling about walking nude through the wilderness—like I’m just another animal in this great, vast ecosystem. It brings me peace, clears my mind, and helps me get away from the stresses of daily life.

But it’s not all roses. Accidents happen—twisted ankles, falls, or an unfortunate encounter with wildlife like an angry kangaroo. There are the risks of deadly bites from insects or snakes, hypothermia, sunburns, or even simple things like chafing. You need to be aware of these potential dangers and, while books and videos can teach you a lot, nothing really prepares you better than experience.

Take my last hike, for example. On the 2nd of January 2024, I went on a 30km trek and ended up with two painfully black toenails by the end of it. Why? Well, when crossing creeks, I often take off my shoes to avoid getting them soaked. On this hike, I made the rookie mistake of not tying them tight enough when I put them back on. I didn’t notice the issue until I was already feeling pain, by which time it was too late. The impact of my toes hitting the front of my shoe caused them to swell and blacken with blood—only on my right foot, though. About 8km from the end of the hike, the pain became intense, but I was prepared. I always carry painkillers, so I sat down, took some Nurofen and Panadol, had a snack, and waited for the meds to kick in before continuing on my way.

That wasn’t the only mishap on that hike. I had been exploring a dry creek bed for about 2km and decided to climb a steep hill to get a panoramic photo. There was no clear path, and the vegetation was thick, but I pushed through—until I spotted a huge eastern brown snake, over 2 meters long, slithering away just a meter from me! Normally, they’re shy and disappear before you even see them, but not this one. I guess we both got a bit of a fright. The snake went its way, and I instinctively jumped backwards, losing my footing and landing with my left knee on a granite boulder. The result? A nasty bruise and a bleeding scratch. Nothing dramatic, but a good reminder that no matter how experienced or prepared you are, accidents can happen.

The key is to stay calm, assess the situation, and take the appropriate action. Sometimes that means pushing on, sometimes it means turning back, and in the worst case, it could mean activating your personal locator beacon for an emergency rescue. But that’s always a last resort.

Despite these challenges, solo nude hikes are incredibly rewarding. There’s something about being alone in nature, completely naked, that brings a sense of freedom and connection to the world around you that’s hard to find anywhere else. You feel the elements on your skin, the ground beneath your feet, and the raw power of the natural world surrounding you. And for me, that’s what makes it all worthwhile.