Trail etiquette to follow when you’re out hiking
Outdoor sports, and particularly hiking, have never been as accessible as they are today. Thanks to high-performance gear and easily accessible information to help you get started, more and more of us are enjoying this activity’s well-known benefits, which is great because everyone deserves the chance to find their own place in the great outdoors.
But whether you’re going for a short walk close to home or a trek to the other side of the planet, our journey invariably makes an impact. So when we’re on a hike, here’s what we need to do to make sure we respect others and do as little damage as possible to the places we love.
Guidelines to follow when hiking
1. Stay on the trail
The first rule to follow is to stay as close to the trail as possible and don’t cut corners on switchbacks. As with all the other advice we discuss here, it’s true that if you’re the only one doing something your impact will be minimal. However, if everyone thinks this way and we all go off trail whenever we feel like it then before you know it other paths will begin to appear that inevitably leave scars on our beautiful Mother Nature. The impact to trail-side flora is immediate with damage resulting from just a single passage.
2. Respect other people and animals
Another primary rule of trail etiquette is to say hello to other hikers. It’s also customary to give the right of way to people moving uphill so you don’t disrupt their rhythm. To keep from disturbing wildlife, as well as people who are hoping for some peace and quiet, it’s important to keep your voice down and only listen to music through headphones.
If you come across a wild animal, the best thing to do is to keep your distance and allow them to move along as they wish. If the animal is blocking the trail, remember that this is their home so make a detour. If you’re hiking with your dog, be especially careful. Dogs instinctively follow the tracks of other animals and chase after them so if necessary, keep your dog on a leash.
3. Bring back everything you carry in
Packaging and other trash
Another essential rule is to never leave any trash in nature and that includes not only packaging, cigarette butts, and tissues but also fruit and vegetable peels and other food remains. A banana peel takes up to 10 months to decompose, which is not only an eyesore for the next person coming down the trail but also disturbs the delicate ecosystem. So the rule is simple: bring back absolutely EVERYTHING you take in.
Before you leave home, remove all unnecessary packaging from the things you bring with you and leave it behind. Also remember to take a trash sack that can be thrown in the garbage as soon as you get back.
Human waste
Relieving yourself in nature is not to be taken lightly. How do you answer nature’s call without polluting waterways, spreading disease, or annoying the next hiker? The answer is to start digging, and even that’s not as simple as it sounds.
First rule: make sure you’re at least 75 meters from all water sources and if possible, well away from the trail. Ideally, it’s also good to find a sunny spot. Not only will the sun feel good on your bare booty, the heat from the sun will also facilitate decomposition. Next, dig a hole about 15-20 cm (6-8 inches) deep and 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) in diameter. When you’ve finished your business, fill the hole with soil and cover it so you leave as little trace as possible. As for the toilet paper? The best thing to do is put it in your garbage bag which you’ll throw away when you get home. The same goes for feminine hygiene products. And one last thing to remember: don’t urinate anywhere close to water!
…and that’s about it!
If it’s a fundamental rule not to throw anything out in the wild, it’s equally important not to collect anything on your hike. Even when you’re not in a national park (where collecting is prohibited), the flowers, rocks, and antlers you see along the way all play a role in the local ecosystem and add beauty to the place. Admire them for as long as you want, take lots of photos and sketch them, but leave them in place so that the moment is just as magical for those who follow. Also, don’t leave marks on natural features – let’s keep these places wild.
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4. How to camp
Hiking and trekking are inherently associated with nights spent outside under the stars. To make the most of this experience, follow these tips…
Local regulations
The rules for hiking can differ depending on which country you’re in. In some places you can camp pretty much anywhere compared to other places where camping is more restricted. So regardless of where you are, always enquire about local regulations. For instance, in some places camping is prohibited but a bivouac is allowed.
Camp on a hard surface
To minimize your impact, try your best to set camp on hard surfaces like rock, sand or gravel. Otherwise you risk damaging the vegetation. If you arrive at a regularly frequented place, use the established campsites instead of creating a new one.
The fire
Nothing is as comforting as a campfire to go along with your evening in Mother Nature. But here again, you’ve got to be careful because the effects can be devastating. Fires are obviously prohibited during periods of drought or strong winds, and they are often forbidden in parks. Choose a place where there is plenty of wood so you don’t ravage an area with limited resources. Only use wood that’s dead and take it from different places. Remember to surround your fire with rocks to help keep it contained and if an old fire ring already exists, make your fire in the same place. Finally, be sure to let the fire burn out completely and then drench it with water before going to sleep. Covering it with dirt is not enough to extinguish it completely.
Don’t camp too close to water sources
To keep our rivers as clean as possible, you shouldn’t wash your dishes or brush your teeth near water. It’s also best not to camp too close to water because doing so will disturb wildlife whose well-being depends on easy access to it. In areas where wild animals or bears are present, it’s critical to cook and store your food and other aromatic items a safe distance from your tent.
