What Is Leave No Trace?
Leave No Trace (LNT) is a set of outdoor ethics designed to minimize human impact on wild places. Originally developed for backcountry wilderness areas, its principles apply equally to a day hike in a local woodland or a week-long trek through a national park. The core idea is simple: leave a place exactly as you found it — or better.
As more people discover the joy of hiking and forest exploration, the cumulative impact of foot traffic on delicate ecosystems has become a serious concern. LNT practices help ensure that forests remain healthy and beautiful for future generations.
The Seven Leave No Trace Principles
1. Plan Ahead and Prepare
Thorough preparation prevents most problems in the field. Research your trail, check weather forecasts, and know the regulations of the area you're visiting. Bring adequate food, water, and navigation tools so you're never tempted to take shortcuts or damage vegetation out of desperation.
2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
Stick to established trails and campsites wherever possible. Cutting switchbacks damages vegetation and accelerates erosion. In areas without marked paths, spread out your group to avoid creating new trails, and walk on rock, gravel, sand, or dry grass rather than on fragile soil or moss.
3. Dispose of Waste Properly
Pack out everything you pack in — including food scraps, which can disrupt wildlife diets and spread invasive species. Human waste should be buried in a small hole (known as a cathole) at least 70 metres from water, trails, and camp. Never leave toilet paper on the ground.
4. Leave What You Find
Resist the urge to collect rocks, flowers, feathers, or fungi as souvenirs. Even seemingly harmless picking — a handful of wildflowers here, a mushroom there — has a measurable impact when multiplied across thousands of visitors. Observe and photograph; don't collect.
5. Minimize Campfire Impact
Campfires can have a lasting impact on soils and vegetation, and escaped fires are a leading cause of wildfire. Use a camping stove instead whenever possible. If you must have a fire, use established fire rings, keep fires small, burn only small sticks found on the ground, and ensure it is completely extinguished before leaving.
6. Respect Wildlife
Observe animals from a distance — never feed them, follow them, or try to interact with them. Human food is harmful to most wildlife and feeding creates dependency that can be fatal for animals in winter. Keep dogs on leads in sensitive areas.
7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Yield to other hikers on narrow trails, keep noise levels low, and be aware that many people visit nature specifically for the peace and quiet. This is as much a part of responsible outdoor ethics as any of the ecological principles above.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Leaving orange peel or apple cores behind ("it's biodegradable" — it is, but it still takes months and can attract animals)
- Walking off-trail to get a better photo
- Picking wildflowers or removing rocks from the forest floor
- Washing dishes or bathing directly in streams or lakes
- Playing music loudly on trails
Quick Pre-Hike Checklist
- Reusable water bottle filled
- Reusable bag for waste packed
- Trail map or downloaded offline GPS route ready
- Weather and trail conditions checked
- Dog lead packed if bringing a pet
Why It Matters
Popular trails can receive hundreds of thousands of visitors per year. Without conscientious behaviour from each hiker, the very landscapes we love to explore can be degraded beyond recognition. Leave No Trace isn't about restriction — it's about ensuring that wild places stay wild, accessible, and alive.