We all love hiking. The freedom to walk where we please and take in the very best nature has to offer. We are lucky enough to have some of the most scenic views right on our door step so we need to learn to respect that.
Leave No Trace is an initiative which promotes the protection of our natural surroundings so we can enjoy the landscape for years to come.
The 7 Principles are:
Plan ahead and Prepare
Be Considerate of Others
Respect Farm Animals and Wildlife
Travel and Camp on Durable Ground
Leave What You Find
Dispose of Waste Properly
Minimise the Effects of Fire
1: ‘Plan ahead and Prepare’.
Before going on any hike you need to research your trip and prepare appropriately. Not only will this help protect the environment and assist to leaving no trace but will is also for your safety!
- Be informed about where you are going, don’t be afraid to call local tourists offices instead of relying on maps and information online.
- Plan for your group and your group size, that the area is to your skill level and that the group isn’t too big to disturb the local area or other people hiking
- Schedule to avoid high traffic times and times where there has been bad weather
- Use proper gear to keep yourself warm and dry. If camping bring the correct gear and take everything with you when you leave
- Plan meals to ensure you have enough and reduce waste
- Develop skills such as navigation and first aid to help with your hike experience
- Take responsibility for yourself and your group. Ensure you don’t get lost as to do so will negatively impact your experience.
2: ‘Be Considerate of Others’
We are lucky enough to have beautiful scenery right on our doorstep so we must be considerate of the communities and people living there so we can all share the landscape.
- Respect your hosts, local communities and their livelihood. All the land we use is owned by someone so protect it by leaving it as you find it.
- Reduce speed on rural country roads to ensure you are able to deal with oncoming traffic or obstructions
- Be patient with livestock on roads or on the land you are hiking on. When in the car reduce speed and allow them to pass you. When walking do not approach the animals.
- When parking be considerate and safe where you park so as not to obstruct entrances or narrow roads.
- When passing through land close make sure to close any gates you open and use stiles when possible.
- Respect other visitors in the way you want to be respected to ensure a good experience for everyone.
- Yield to others and be polite to other revellers
- Keep a low profile
3: ‘Respect Farm Animals and Wildlife.
When we pass through fields on our hike we are passing through the homes of animals and wildlife.
- Wildlife can provide the basis for lots of stories but animals can react in different ways to people
- Observe animals from a distance and back away calmly if they react to your presence
- Avoid sensitive times and habitats
- Never feed the wildlife. It can be tempting but they can fend for themselves. Feeding wildlife can make them ill
- Store your rubbish and food securely so it does not fall out or get left behind
- If you bring a dog make sure to keep them under control and away from other livestock or wildlife
4: ‘Travel and Camp on Durable Ground’
You leave footsteps wherever you go so we want to limit the effects our footfall has on the environment.
- Stay on designated trails, curtailment can lead to costly restorations
- Use designated campsites for the same reason
- Good campsites are made not found, the perfect campsites are specially made to have the safety and security you need.
- Protect fresh water resources
- Before departing camp naturalise and disguise the camp
5: ‘Leave What you Find'
- Conserve the past by not disturbing things such as old walls, wells, mines and hilltop cairns.
- Leave natural objects undisturbed for example, leave stones at the Burren untouched
- Things such as fallen trees can be so valuable for wildlife so should not be disturbed or used for firewood
- Stop the spread of invasive species by keeping your camp clean and not transporting flowers or weeds into new habitats
6: ‘Dispose of Waste Properly’
It’s important to put into practice what we have learned so far and continue protecting the landscape by knowing how to dispose of your waste properly.
- Plan ahead what you will be eating during the hike that you can take your rubbish with you
- Human waste take time to find designated facilities. If you can’t find information on disposal
- In special environments like bogs waste does not fully decompose even organic waste such as apple cores so be sure to bring these with you
- When camping washing dishes or bathing even biodegradable soaps can affect the water quality in lakes and rivers so minimise its use.
7: ‘Minimise the Effects of Fire’
We’ve reached the end of leave no trace and we have loved learning how to be more conscious of the environment and our surroundings while hiking.
Even the smallest fires can cause long lasting damage to the environment.
- When setting a campfire check local regulations and conditions
- Build a minimum impact fire and use an established fire ring where possible
- Use dead wood found on the ground rather than breaking branches from trees as this can scar them
- Manage your campfire
- Never leave a campfire unattended
When hiking remember: Leave nothing behind and take with you only memories.
For more information on the 7 principles please visit the Leave no Trace website.
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