A ridge is a long, narrow elevated crest of land where two slopes meet, running between or up to summits. Ridge hiking offers expansive views and a natural line of travel, but exposed ridges catch wind and weather and can involve scrambling, making them exhilarating but sometimes serious terrain.
A saddle is a low point on a ridge between two higher summits, shaped like a horse's saddle. Also called a col or pass, saddles are natural places for trails to cross a ridge and often mark the low point between two peaks on a traverse. Their shape can also funnel and accelerate wind.
A false summit is a high point on a mountain that looks like the top when viewed from below but turns out to have more climbing beyond it. False summits are notorious for sapping morale and energy on long ascents, as hikers crest them expecting the top only to see the true summit still ahead.
A lollipop loop is a hike shaped like a lollipop — a single stretch of trail (the 'stick') leading to a loop (the 'candy') and back out the same stick. It combines a loop's varied scenery with an out-and-back's simple start and finish, and is a very common trail layout.
A loop trail is a hike that returns to its starting point by a different route, forming a circuit so you never retrace your steps. Loops offer constantly changing scenery and a satisfying sense of a complete journey, though they can be harder to navigate and to bail out of than an out-and-back.
An out-and-back is a hike that follows the same trail to a destination and then returns by the identical route, retracing your steps. It's the simplest hike type — easy to navigate and to turn around on — though you see the same scenery twice, unlike a loop.
A double blaze is two trail blazes placed close together to warn hikers of an upcoming turn, junction, or route change. Often the upper blaze is offset toward the direction of the turn. Spotting a double blaze is a cue to slow down and confirm where the trail goes.
Peak bagging is the pursuit of climbing many summits, often working through a defined list — like the Colorado 14ers, the New England 4,000-footers, or a country's highest peaks. It turns hiking into a goal-driven challenge, with hikers 'bagging' peaks one by one to complete the list.
A trailhead is the starting point of a trail, where it meets a road, parking area, or another trail. Trailheads often have signage, maps, parking, and registers, and are where hikes begin and end. Knowing the trailhead and any permits or fees is part of planning a hike.
Gaiters are protective sleeves worn over the lower leg and the top of the boot to keep out snow, mud, scree, water, and debris. They range from low trail gaiters that block trail grit to tall, waterproof mountaineering gaiters for deep snow, and keep feet drier and more comfortable on rough terrain.