1. Plan ahead and prepare
Know the rules for the area: permits, camping restrictions, fire bans, dog rules, seasonal closures for nesting birds. Good planning also prevents emergencies, and rescues have impacts of their own. Smaller groups help, and so does repackaged food, which leaves less packaging to carry out. Planning a day hike covers the rest of the preparation.
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Stay on the path, including through mud and puddles. Walking around them widens the trail.
- Don't cut corners on zigzags; it starts erosion gullies.
- Camp on established sites, rock, gravel or dry grass, well away from water. Where wild camping is allowed, a common guideline is about 60 m (200 feet) from lakes and streams.
- In untracked areas, spread the group out instead of walking in single file, so no new path forms.
3. Dispose of waste properly
Pack it in, pack it out: all litter, food scraps and fruit peel. Orange and banana skins take a long time to break down in cold or dry places.
Where there are no toilets, go at least 60 m from water, trails and camps, dig a small hole about 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 inches) deep, then cover it. Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products in a sealed bag. Some fragile areas, such as high alpine zones, deserts and some canyons, require you to pack out human waste as well. Check local rules.
4. Leave what you find
Leave rocks, plants, flowers and historical objects where they are. Don't build cairns or rock stacks that could mislead other walkers, and don't move existing ones.
5. Minimise campfire impacts
A stove is lighter and quicker and leaves no scar. Where fires are allowed and needed, use existing fire rings, keep them small, burn only dead wood you can break by hand, and make sure the fire is out cold before you leave. Respect fire bans, which are common in dry seasons.
6. Respect wildlife
- Watch from a distance. If an animal changes its behaviour because of you, you're too close.
- Never feed animals. It harms their health and teaches them to approach people.
- Store food securely overnight, following any local rules for bear or rodent protection.
- Keep dogs under control, and on a lead around livestock and ground-nesting birds.
7. Be considerate of other visitors
- Keep noise down so others can hear the birds and the wind.
- Give way politely on narrow paths; on steep paths, walkers going uphill usually have priority.
- Leave gates as you find them, and park without blocking access.
- Take breaks a little away from the path.
The principles were developed by the US-based Leave No Trace organisation and are used widely elsewhere. Local codes, such as the countryside or access codes in individual countries, may add specific rules, so read the one for where you're going.
Camping, stoves and water treatment come up again in planning your first multi-day or hut trip.
Leave No Trace FAQ
How far from water should I camp?
Where wild camping is allowed, a common guideline is about 60 m (200 feet) from lakes and streams. Local rules may set a different distance, so check them.
Is it OK to leave fruit peel on the trail?
No. Orange and banana skins take a long time to break down in cold or dry places. Pack them out with the rest of your litter.
Can I add a stone to a cairn?
It's best not to build new cairns or rock stacks, or move existing ones, because they can mislead other walkers.