Leave Less Behind on Your Next Hike

Make the Plan Do Some Work

Check trail conditions, access rules and seasonal restrictions before leaving. A closed route may protect wildlife, damaged ground or people working on repairs. Choose an alternative rather than stepping around a barrier. Travel in a group size appropriate to the setting and arrange transport without blocking gates or passing places. Carry a rubbish bag and the supplies needed for the area’s toilet requirements. Low-impact hiking begins before the first footstep because preparation reduces the pressure to improvise when the ground, weather or facilities are different from what you expected.

Keep Your Footprint on the Path

Use established trails and durable surfaces where available. Do not cut switchbacks or widen a path by walking along its fragile edges. If a section is unsafe or too waterlogged to cross responsibly, turn back or use an officially designated alternative. Keep noise low and let wildlife choose its distance. Never feed animals, even with food that seems natural; habituation can create problems long after you leave. Follow dog restrictions and keep pets under the control required locally. A quiet encounter at a distance is better than a close photograph that changes an animal’s behaviour.

• Keep food secure from wildlife.
• Give other visitors space at viewpoints.
• Leave gates as directed by local signs.
• Avoid sharing sensitive wildlife locations publicly.

Take the Unphotogenic Details Seriously

Carry out food scraps, peels, tissues and other litter; biodegradable does not mean appropriate to abandon. Use established toilets when available. Otherwise, follow local land-manager guidance for human waste, which may require packing it out; digging is not suitable everywhere. Observe fire bans and use a stove only where permitted, with attention to dry vegetation and local restrictions. Leave stones, plants and cultural objects where they belong. At the end, check your rest spot for small items and micro-litter, then carry your good intentions all the way to an appropriate disposal point.

The best souvenir is a place that still feels undisturbed.