Is social media masking bushwalking dangers and leading to poor hiking decisions?

After leading a hike through mud and freezing temperatures for six days on the Overland Track, bushwalking guide Zac Major collapses on the couch.

He starts scrolling through social media and notices a post from one of his mates from the hike in Tasmania's alpine region. 

"It looked amazing … but the walk itself was absolutely brutal," he said.

"We were up to our knees in mud, crossing flooded rivers, it was raining, snowing a lot, and super windy, with temperatures well into the negatives," he said.

Last week, the body of a bushwalker was found near Federation Park in south-west Tasmania, the third bushwalker to die in two months in the state's wilderness.

There are concerns that social media may be creating a false representation of bushwalking, masking the struggles and dangers hikers face.

But can it be to blame for the number of rescues?

Not being prepared is trending

Josh Hamill, a content creator focused on bushwalking safety, said he had noticed a culture online that glorified poor decision-making.

"Having an 'epic' is often seen as a viral moment worthy of sharing in a positive manner," he said.

"A recent example of this is the 'rawdogging' trend of having zero experience, no prior planning, yet doing the activity anyway.

Tasmanian Walking Company managing director Neil Lynch, whose company guides about 700 walks a year, said the weather could catch people off guard.

"We've had a couple of incidents this year where our guides assisted other hikers on the trail that weren't adequately prepared for a hike," he said.

'The illusion of simplicity'

Darren Edwards, founder of website Trail Hiking Australia, said while social media could not be blamed for people getting into difficulty, it could mask the challenges involved and influence people to take a hike out of their comfort zone.

"Social media focuses on what looks great, it's all the beautiful images, the amazing sceneries, the allure, the challenge of the particular hike or walk, but it doesn't always show the struggles, challenges, difficulties and the terrible weather that goes along with it," he said.

"I think that certainly drives people to get out there and undertake walks that they are not necessarily prepared for.

"It might not be intentional … when things are really tough and challenging, and the weather is terrible, and you're slogging through mud that's knee deep, you don't necessarily have your camera out."

Difficult hikes are now easier to find

Due to the plethora of hiking content, it takes much less research to find difficult hikes than before social media, according to Mr Edwards.

"Before the internet, the way you would find out about a lot of the walks … would come down to researching guidebooks or joining bushwalking clubs and talking to other people who are doing it regularly to find out where the more challenging walks are," he said.

"But because the information was harder to get access to, a lot more research was required to go into them."

Mr Edwards said when preparing to do a four-day hike in the Du Cane Range, west of the Overland Track, he spent about 20 to 30 hours researching the walk.

"Actually go back and do some thorough planning so that you're making sure that when you step foot on the trail, you know, you're going to come back safely again."

Be prepared to cancel your hike

It can be tough for tourists on a limited time frame, who have put in a lot of money and effort into planning and preparing for a hike, only to be turned back by bad weather.

For more than a year Gail Campbell had been planning to walk the Overland Track, and after flying from New South Wales and setting off on the hike, a severe weather warning was issued and she had to make "a tough decision".

"I tuned back while it was safe to do so. To continue would have endangered others. Today I am sad," she said.

"It was so long in planning and buying the right gear, [doing] a training and practice hike, feeling ready … and then not. I am still writing through misty eyes … next time."

Ms Campbell said after posting about her decision to turn back on social media she received a lot of wonderful replies.

"In that way social media helped, I was in a dark place," she said. 

Don't rely on social media

Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) said the state was renowned for its pristine environment and social media had "increased the awareness of these areas to a broader audience".

"While individuals frequently share information on social media, PWS recommends people undertake thorough research when planning a walk and not rely exclusively on social media sources," a spokesperson said. 

"Before embarking on a walk in the state's parks and reserves, PWS advises doing your research, knowing your skills and limitations, choosing walks that match your capabilities and considering the equipment you might need.

"Prior to departure check the weather forecast, be flexible with plans when conditions change, register your walk, and tell someone where you are going and when you intend to be back."

Even the most experienced bushwalker can get injured, have a medical emergency or get stuck in Tasmania's rapidly changing weather.

There were 369 land-based search and rescue incidents in Tasmania in the 2024-25 financial year.

"Many of these incidents related to people who were generally well prepared but encountered unforeseen or unexpected difficulties," a Tasmania Police spokesperson said.