Hiking is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and get some fresh air. It can also be an opportunity for adventure, exploration, and personal achievement. Hikers should consider their hiking hairstyle carefully in order to avoid pesky flyaways or other unruly hairs that may cause problems while on the trail.
Hiking is often a strenuous activity that causes your hair to become tangled, dirty, and sweaty, so you’ll need hairstyles that stay put but also look stylish! Taking care of your hair while out in the woods can be a challenge, so we’ve compiled 10 of our favorite hiking hairstyles below!
If you are going on a hike for a first date, you might want to consider some of these cute yet practical hairstyles!
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Don’t forget to grab your hiking log book before you leave so you can keep track of all your favorite hikes and trails!
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Hiking Hairstyles for Medium to Long Hair
If your hair is shoulder length or longer, these hairstyles will help keep your hair manageable and tangle-free. Often times there are high winds on the trail which can be a huge problem for long hair!
Hiking hairstyles that keep your hair off of your face and neck is key to avoiding getting it caught on branches, bushes, or in the back of your backpack straps! Plus, having it pulled back will help keep you cool during hot summer hikes!
Don’t forget to check out our hiking packing list so you have everything you need for a successful day hiking out on the trails!
French Braid
One of my favorite practical hiking hairstyles is a classic french braid. It is the perfect way to keep your hair out of your face during high winds while also looking stylish! Plus, you can wear a hat on your head which is a plus (which is sometimes difficult if you have a ponytail!)
If you can stand to try something more ambitious, you can even try two french braids- one on each half of your head. This one might take a few days to master, but it can look awesome once you get it! This is perfect for those who have thick or long hair where one braid might not be an option.
Need help with your french braiding? Get one of these braiding tools to help make things a bit easier!
Classic Ponytail
The easiest hiking hairstyles most hikers wear is a classic ponytail. This is an easy, low-maintenance style that will keep your hair out of the way, and it is pretty difficult to mess up!
Most girls have already mastered this one, so it is a popular choice on the trail! If you are looking to make your ponytail a bit fancier, there are plenty of pretty things you can throw in your hair such as clips or fancy bobby pins.
You can also use a hair claw to pin up your ponytail to the back of your head to get more of the hair off of your neck for hot summer hikes!
Braided Bun
A braided bun is another way you can wear your hair for a hike that is a stylish way to keep all your hair out of your face. You’ll need long hair for this hairstyle, but it is definitely stylish and will keep you looking polished even while hiking.
Simply pull your hair back into a braid, then wrap the braid around into a bun. You can always use a bun maker to help give it a better shape!
Simple braid
Braids are another one of my favorite easy hiking hairstyles. This is a great style for medium-length to long hair. I love wearing my hair in braids on shorter hikes when you don’t want your hair in your face, but also don’t want it up all day long in a ponytail.
If you want to make this hairstyle fancier, put a bandana headband in your hair for a different look!
Side braid
A side braid is another hiking hairstyle you should consider if you have medium to long hair. My favorite part about braids is that once the hike is over, you can undo the braid and your hair will be wavy and beautiful!
One thing I like is to do is put my hair in a classic or side braid after I wash it. Then, I let it air dry, run my fingers through it or use a comb, and I am left with cute wavy hair! I use this styling foam which helps my hair keep the curls without getting too frizzy or puffy!
Messy Bun
Another cute hairstyle to try on your next hike is a messy bun! The best part about this hairstyle is that you can’t really mess it up! This is a great option when the weather is hot and you can’t be bothered to attempt fancier styles.
You can even get one of these messy bun hair pieces to add more volume to your hair!
Hiking Hairstyles for Short Hair
If you have short or fine hair, many of the above hairstyles might not work for you. If your hair is above your shoulders, consider the following hairstyles next time you go hiking!
PS. if you are planning on hiking in high elevations, be sure to read our complete guide on how to prevent altitude sickness which can really ruin your day hiking if you don’t know these remedies!
Low ponytail
A low ponytail is one easy hiking hairstyle you should consider because it is the easiest one! Simply pull your hair back with a brush or comb, and tie it at the base of your neck with a hair tie.
Wearing your hair in a ponytail will also make it easier to wear a hat or cap, which will further help protect your skin from the sun and prevent the wind from blowing your hair in your face.
This is an easy, budget friendly hairstyle. Check out our other budget hiking tips here!
Headband
A headband is an easy hiking hairstyle that will help keep loose hair in place. Sometimes fine hair can blow around easily in the wind, so headbands will help keep the hair out of your face!
If you have thick hair, this is another great option to help keep the weight of your hair off your neck, and prevents your hair from getting sweaty and full of oil!
Just be careful not to wear headbands that may fit too tightly around your forehead, which can cut off the circulation in your scalp and result in headaches or even hair loss. Also, make sure you are wearing wide enough headbands so it doesn’t slip when you’re hiking uphill!
I recommend this headband for hiking. They come in all sorts of colors like purple, blue, and black so you’ll be matching no matter how you dress for the hike! The headband is also slip-proof so it never slides down your head.
Wear a hat
A hat or cap is an easy and practical way to keep your hair out of your face and protect yourself from the harsh sun while hiking. Be sure to check out our guide for avoiding sunburn so you don’t come back from your day hiking looking like a lobster!
If you have your hair in a ponytail or a bun, it can sometimes be difficult for the hat or cap to fit. For an extra cost, there are hats that have holes for your hair to fit through!
Wearing a hat is also a good option if your roots need some attention and you want to cover them up! Maybe you are just having a bad hair day where you have strands of hair out of place and your roots need to be redone, and you just can’t stand to look at your hair- throw on a hat and call it a day!
Use Bobby Pins
If your hair is too short to pull back into a bun or ponytail, you can always braid or pin back your bangs with bobby pins. This will help get rid of those pesky flyaways that often tickle your face!
Another hairstyle option is to simply pin back the hair that falls into your face with bobby pins so it doesn’t get too messy in the wind!
I love using these bobby pins which never slip or fall out of my hair and do an amazing job at keeping all the hair in place!
Want more hiking tips?
We hope that this list gave you some inspiration for new ways to style your hair on your next hiking trip! Don’t forget to grab our hiking log below so you can keep track of all your favorite hiking trails! Additionally, check out our hiking section to stay up to date with our new posts!
Good luck with these styles, and happy hiking!
