Irresponsible practices among some hikers and other people in general cause significant and lasting harm to the environment. That was until we discovered the principles of sustainable hiking – A significant way to stay eco-conscious while hiking. The idea is to embrace nature and its natural principles without damaging it.

How can I be more eco-friendly while outside? Strive to leave no trace of your presence when you hike. This involves not dumping litter, contaminating the environment, or confronting the animals. It will also help if you buy eco-friendly or second-hand gears that do not directly impact the environment. If you can, choose reusable and biodegradable items that do not disrupt the ecology. Additionally, you should also hike within the trail and not stray from it. Hence, do not wander off trail to cause unwanted damage to the vegetation. Although the aim is to enjoy nature, you should respect it. Hence, you should mind how you dispose of your waste and how you use natures resources. More importantly, lead by example without leaving trash on the ground. The idea is to leave no trail of your presence. You can do so by bringing along a bag to pick up trash along your hike. This way, you will leave the environment a better place than you found it. Additionally, most hiking sites are protected and have rules to follow, therefore, be respectful of it. In the end, your eco-friendly hike will bring you more joy and a better consciousness.

Make the environment a better place consciously

Eco-friendly hiking is a new concept that has gained popularity due to its importance in three of the most important life pillars. The practice is of human environmental, social-cultural, and economic impact; hence, it should be encouraged on all levels. When you go out on a hike, it is essential to make conscious decisions to keep the peace of the environment and ruled parameters. The idea is to leave behind a trail of joy and mental satisfaction at the end of your hike. Why? Because you know you have made the environment a better place than you met it.

Regardless of how small or how many of you there are; What you do affects the environment. Sadly, though, some people are less aware of the state of the environment around us. As we live every day, we affect the environment. However, hiking, in itself, is an environmentally-friendly low-impact activity. Since you are using your legs to carry yourself, you don’t need to rely on cars whose fume and emissions harm the environment. However, there is much you can do to make your hike even more eco-friendly.

How to be more eco-friendly while hiking

Be careful with your hiking grounds

Some hiking grounds have become popular destinations for many, and unknowingly, most people fall into the tourist trap by thinking that they must travel to crowded places to have fun. The problem with this logic is that it can be hard to stay eco-conscious in a crowded place. Because hiking does not involve using cars, and cruisers do not mean that we can’t compound the problem.

For example, instead of picking a crowded location, you can opt to follow the slow travel principle and pick a quieter alternative where you can appreciate being alone. Additionally, you won’t contribute to stressing and further damaging natural areas by overcrowding the places. Plus, it is also essential that you pick the right time of the year to hike. After selecting your hiking ground, you should do the following points down below.

Follow the rules and norms

Depending of which area and country you’re in, when hikers visit a protected area, they are usually given first-hand information about the area upon their entry. Furthermore, growing up, you were probably told about how you need to behave and the norms to follow when in nature and hiking. These norms and behaviours include respecting the local area, don’t causing unnecessary damage to the vegetation, pick up your litter, etc.

Unfortunately, some people throw away their morals and upbringing/schooling when they are outside. To be responsible, you should get to know the rules and guidelines on the local area, and respect them. Not just for your safety, you should do so for the environment. Besides, breaking the rules sometimes attract a fine.

Buy eco-friendly and/or second-hand gears

A sustainable outdoor brand produces gears and equipment that won’t have a direct impact on outdoor life. For example, companies with vegan symbols or deep respect for nature demonstrate that their products are ethical produced and eco-friendly. Hence, it will go a long way if you choose gears by these brands. Responsible down standard companies make safe hiking gears that will prove invaluable on your trip.

Additionally, you should always opt to buy second-hand when hiking. This is because buying second-hand clothing and gear is the most sustainable way you can get a hold of new things for your hiking. However, be aware of buying second-hand shoes or security gears as they can be damaged, and in turn won’t do any good for both your health or environment.

Pay extra attention to the “don’t leave a trace” principle

The principle on most hiking grounds is to leave no trace. The principles involve consciously trying to leave no trace that you’ve ever been to the area. By implication, you don’t touch things carelessly, damage the vegetation or disturb the animals. This is important in order to let nature take care of itself and to preserve the land as long as it possible can. For example, ripping off sticks or bark on living trees, can in worse case leave the tree to rot. Stay respectful of the nature, and our children and future generations can enjoy the same joyful feelings of being in nature as we did.

Also, stay away from places where someone have camped before to allow the vegetation to grow and recover. Not only will you create moments that you will relish for a long time, but you will also leave the environment better for the animals and the local communities. Hence, regardless of where you choose to hike, strive to impact everything and everyone you encounter positively.

Pick up your GODDAMN litter

The first rule of the leave-no-trace principle is that you shouldn’t litter. While some hikers have a habit of carrying plastic bottles, snack bars and other things that generate trash, most of them just throw away their trash on the ground. Although some volunteers pick and clean the obvious trash, the ones discarded in the hard-to-reach part of the trail are hard to find.

– Do these simple improvements:

• If you can, have a reusable water bottle in your backpack. This way, you can always refill it instead of dumping it after use.

• Keep your wraps of snacks and food with you until you get to where you can safely discard them.

• Minimise single-use things and use reusable gears and materials. Make your own meal and pack them in lunchboxes to reduce trash and plastic.

• If you must use the toilet, use biodegradable toilet paper.

• If you smoke, don’t throw cigarette butts on the ground as you risk starting an accidental fire. Plus a lot of the cigarettes contains materials that will not biodegrade.

• Do not feed any animals or throw food out in nature as it might teach animals to rely on human food to survive.

The principle here, as with all other hiking rules, is simple; whatever you bring to a hiking trail should leave the trail with you. Not only does this help you, but it also helps nature and the wildlife that live in it. For example, if you stop throwing trash and crumbs on the ground, you will discourage wildlife from relying on you for food and rather encourage their natural behaviours.

Apart from all this, it is ideal to pick trash left by others if you come across them, provided they are within your reasonable reach. This will most certainly add some positive points to your karma.

Stay on the marked walking trail

The big idea behind sticking to the trail or walking in marked areas is to avoid disrupting the ecosystem. True, it is tempting to wander off; however, it can be bad for the environment and habitats. Certain areas of the hiking ground, especially in national parks and protected areas, are marked for two reasons: to minimise damages caused by people, and for your own safety. Hence, by wandering off the trail, you risk violating the two principles.

On the surface, off-trail paths look harmless. Judging by the number of people that have gone that way, the paths are usually beaten. The only reason to go off trail is if you need to use the toilet or when you set up a campground. But remember, the emphasis is on being an environmentally sustainable hiker so make sure not to beat up the vegetation around you or don’t stay on illegal grounds.

• Don’t take plants, rocks, shells or sand with you. Remember, the aim is not to leave a trace. If you must take anything with you, it should only be memories. There’s a reason to why the areas are protected. It’s actually punishable to take something with you.

• Don’t attempt to bait animals into coming to you. If they want to, let them approach you naturally without you feeding them.

• Avoid puddles when you walk as it can make the path wider or cause erosion and damage to the ground.  

• Demonstrate yourself as a dignified hiker and stay within the trail, hence, always use the “lead-by-example”-principle.

Respect wildlife and nature

Wildlife sightings are not uncommon during a hike. However, you are not supposed to disturb, frighten, or invite them when you come across them. Instead, you are encouraged to admire them from a distance. The narrative is the same regardless of the size or ferocity of the animal; however, you should steer clear of dangerous, and larger animals.

Furthermore, you must resist the urge to touch and cuddle the animals if you are an animal lover like me. The reason is that animals can be unpredictable, and this irresponsible behaviour from your end can be deadly to you and the animal.

Moreover, if we encourage the animals to interact with humans, they start to be more and more reliant of human contact and food. Hence, they loose their natural instinct. Therefore, we need to stay clear of any interaction with them.

Manage natures resources and dispose carefully

Whatever item you pack, you need to be careful of how you use and dispose of them. For example, sustainable sunscreen and ointments are a better choice since they don’t affect the environment. The ones that are not sustainable sometimes contain nasty chemicals that repel insects or cause more significant harm.

Water is another fine resource in nature. When you arrive a lake or river in the mountain or forest, be responsible and not contaminate the water. The reason is that the animals need it as much as you or any other hiker does. Hence, don’t wash yourself or your gear in the water. You should also not use soaps, whether biodegradable or not, as it can harm the environment, regardless.

That said, always have water at hand. You don’t know if you can drink from all water sources around you, especially if it’s been a flood or the river comes from melted ice from glaciers. Therefore, bring some from home in your reusable water bottle.

Mind where you dump your sh*t

It’s not your fault if nature is calling you. However, be careful where you dump your business. For example, you need to assess whether there is a food source near the site or if it can ruin surrounding resources. You should never leave your solid waste near a river or stream to avoid contamination. The best practice is to dig a hole and cover it when you are done. Likewise, use biodegradable toilet papers or a little bit of moss.

Be careful with fire

Humans cause about 90% of wildlife fires. If you decide to hike in the wild and use fire, be responsible. There is nothing wrong with building a fire to warm yourself or boil water. However, you need to exercise restraint and not burn the area. First of all, set your tents on designated campsites. If you are hiking or camping in a dry and hot place, don’t use open fires. Instead, use fire pits only. You should also pay attention to the local rules of whether it’s allowed to build a fire or not depending on the different warmer seasons.

If you’re allowed to build a fire, make sure that the environment is not too windy. Plus, collect dead or detached sticks. Then, dig away from hanging branches in an open area and create a stone ring to contain the fire. After use, completely extinguish the fire until the embers are out. To verify, dump water on the fire and stir it with a stick until the earth is cold and safe to touch.

Ask for help when you need it

Part of being eco-friendly is to enlist the help of a responsible local operator or guide. Besides finding your way, it is an effective way to give back to the community and to support the local economy. Regardless, local guides teach you the place’s customs and traditions by sharing stories that will better help you appreciate the environment.

You should also understand your reach and stay within your boundaries. Part of being responsible is not going out of your way to prove a point to death-defying stunts. Instead, you will remain safe and not cause unnecessary panic among unsuspecting people.

“Fjellvettreglene” – The Norwegian Mountain Code

Norway and The Norwegian Trekking Association have made a couple of rules to follow when hiking. The rules and norms were made to lower the risk of accidents in nature as well as work as a guidance for security and sustainability. Because the rules are made to respect nature and preserve security while hiking, they will also arguably help our journey towards eco-friendly hiking:

1. Plan your trip and inform others about the route that you have selected.
2. Adapt the planned routes according to ability and conditions.
3. Pay attention to the weather and the avalanche warnings.
4. Be prepared for bad weather and frost. Even on short trips.
5. Bring the necessary equipments so you can help yourself and others.
6. Choose safe routes. Recognise avalanche terrain and unsafe ice.
7. Use a map and a compass. Always know where you are.
8. Don’t be ashamed to turn around.
9. Conserve your energy and seek shelter if necessary.

The Norwegian Mountain Code are first and foremost about you and others security while hiking, however, it is easy to follow these rules and be environmentally conscious as well. While following these rules, you will also naturally be a little more eco-friendly as most of the rules suggest that you stay on the trails, respect the weather, etc. If you additionally add the other points I’ve mentioned above, you will arguably go from being a mediocre hiker, to a professional eco-friendly hiking athlete.