7 Principles of Leave No Trace

Whether you are a seasoned hiker, camping fanatic, or canoeing expert, keeping the principles of Leave No Trace while you are enjoying the great outdoors is the best way to ensure you respect the wilderness while having fun. The Leave No Trace principles began as a guide for those who generally camp overnight, but the guidelines also apply to those on a day hike or other adventures that do not include camping overnight.

Leave No Trace Principles

• Plan Ahead and Prepare

• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

• Dispose of Waste Properly

• Leave What You Find

• Minimize Campfire Impacts

• Respect Wildlife

• Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Plan Ahead and Prepare

When you are prepared you are likely to run into fewer problems. In the words of Benjamin Franklin “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” Good research will help determine how long you can expect your trip to take, the weather, the type of terrain you will be traversing, what to pack, how much food or water to bring, and where the resting points are on the trails, among other important details. Planning ahead will also ensure you are safe on your adventures.

Here are things to consider when planning a trip:

• Know the rules and regulations about the area you are about to visit. This includes regulations regarding campfires, waste management, and rules for pets. If you are planning to hike at an Ontario Provincial Park or a conservation area, you can visit their websites to find information about the rules and regulations for that area.

• Get to know the area. Before setting off, get a sense of the elevation changes, type of terrain, condition of the paths, and where the rest points are located. This insight will help you gain a better understanding of what you can expect on your hike and help you assess whether you and others in your group can safely complete the trek. Consider calling the park to speak with a park ranger to get up-to-date reports on trail conditions. There are also a lot of hiking-focused groups on Facebook (Ontario Hiking, Ontario Hiking Trails, Ontario Camping, Hiking, and Kayaking, Discover Ontario Parks and Places) and Reddit where you can find information about the area you are planning to visit.

• Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies. Weather can change suddenly. It can be sunny one minute followed by a torrential downpour the next. Know the weather before you head out to make sure you have the right gear for the conditions and that you are dressed appropriately. To be prepared for changes in weather, consider dressing in layers. It is always better to be overdressed than underdressed. You can peel off layers if it gets too warm, but you can’t add more layers if you don’t pack or wear extra clothing. Consider packing a jacket even on bright, sunny days in case it rains or if the temperature suddenly drops. Sometimes accidents happen while you are hiking. Make sure your hiking pack includes a first aid kit in case you need it to dress cuts, scrapes, or treat other injuries. Check out our article on the 7 hiking essentials.

• Avoid getting lost. Bring a physical map or use digital maps with GPS that are available in apps such as AllTrails. Maps help you stay on trails and on track, and also prevents you from going off-trail and potentially damaging sensitive ecosystems. If you are new to hiking, learn to read trail markers. They will help you stay on track.

• Schedule your trip to avoid busy times. Try getting to your destination early to avoid crowds. Go during off-peak seasons if possible.

• Know your limits. If you have bad knees or do not take long walks regularly, a 10-kilometre trek on rugged terrain may be a bit too much to handle. Knowing your limits and the limits of all of those in your group, including your dog, will help you choose a trail that you can safely complete. While it is important to have fun, safely should always be the top priority.

Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Hiking is a wonderful activity. It gets you outdoors, giving you an opportunity to see, hear and connect with nature. However, hiking, whether it is day hiking or backcountry hiking over multiple days, stresses the environment. While you are out hiking, stick to trails to avoid further impacting the environment. In popular areas, concentrate activities on existing trails and campsites. Avoid going off-trail whenever possible. While walking off-trail may not seem like a big deal, trampling vegetation can be detrimental to ecosystems. It is best to stay on marked paths. In addition to potentially damaging the environment, going off-trail can get you lost.

Dispose of Waste Properly

Do not leave any waste behind. Inspect your campsite and rest areas for trash and spilled foods. Human food can be toxic to wildlife. Make sure to pack up everything you brought with you. Keep a resealable bag in your backpack to store your trash.

Human waste can be dangerous to wildlife. When nature calls, dig a hole 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails, and cover it up once you have done your business. Be mindful that some places require you to pack out all human waste. Know the rules before you embark on your trip so you can be prepared with the right tools. Check out this great article from REI for tips on how to go to the bathroom in the woods.

If you are camping, use biodegradable soap to wash dishes or yourself. Never dump dirty dishwater in lakes, streams, rivers, or any body of water. The soap is harmful to fish and aquatic plants. Instead, dump the water away from a water source.

Leave What You Find

It’s tempting to pick wildflowers or grab an interesting-looking rock, but it is best to leave everything where you find them. Instead, of picking them up, take pictures to remind you of what you saw. You can enjoy photographs anytime. Leave rocks, plants, and nature objects where you find them.

While taking things is harmful, introducing things is also harmful. Sometimes bugs or plants hitch a ride on the soles of boots, on bicycle wheel treads, or on canoes and kayaks. Make sure to clean your boots and equipment in between trips. Non-native plants or bugs can cause irreversible damage. Lastly, do not alter the environment. This includes carving things into tree trunks, breaking tree branches, digging trenches, or constructing structures like a hut. Leaving everything the way you found it will ensure that others will have the opportunity to enjoy nature for years to come.

Minimize Campfire Impacts

There is something special about sitting around a campfire. However, this timeless ritual can be destructive. If you decide to set up a fire make sure to do it only in areas where fires are permitted. Many places have fire bans to prevent the outbreak of forest fires. Respect these bans. You don’t want to be the cause of a forest fire. If you set up a fire, always use an existing fire ring and never leave your fire unattended. That’s how accidents happen. To prevent your fire from getting out of hand, keep it small. Use sticks from the ground that can be broken by hand. Do not bring firewood from home. It could introduce new pests or diseases. Buy firewood from a local source or gather it yourself if that is allowed.

Consider alternatives to setting up a fire. There are plenty of great portable camping stoves you can use to cook food. Biolite makes great ones. And lanterns make excellent sources of light. We are big fans of the Thorfire LED camping lantern, a battery-powered collapsible lantern that can be charged by USB or by using its built-in crank.

Respect Wildlife

Wild animals are best observed from a distance. If you spot wildlife on your adventures, be respectful and give them their space. Do not approach them. If you want to get a closer look, arm yourself with a pair of binoculars or a zoom lens for your camera. Observing from afar will help keep you and the animals safe.

You have probably heard the saying sharing is caring. Well, that is not always the case. In fact, sharing human food with animals is the opposite of caring. . Feeding animals human food can damage their health, alter their behaviour, and expose them to other dangers. There have been reports of animals that have become so used to eating human food that it has greatly diminished their instincts to find their own food.

If you have a pet, make you have control of your pet at all times. Your dog might your best friend, but wild animals may see them as a threat. Do not let them wander off-leash. While your dog may want to say hello, the moose may want to be alone and if spooked it may respond aggressively to protect itself. Review our article, Things to Consider When Hiking with Dogs, for tips on hiking with dogs.

Be Considerate of Other Visitors

There are a few important rules to observe while you are hiking. They boil down to being respectful of others and being decent human beings.

• Don’t be shy. Greet other hikers. Say hello and ask them how their hike is going.

• Be courteous. You are sharing the trail with others. Move over if you are taking a break. If you are heading downhill, yield to those going up. Generally speaking, those going uphill have the right of way.

• Hike in small groups. Keep your group small to minimize the impact on the environment. If you are part of a large pack, break into small groups so you can safely and easily travel along the trails. It also makes it easier for you to make room for others you come across on your journey.

• Keep the noises down. Many go outdoors to get a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. When you are out hiking, let others enjoy all of what nature has to offer including the sounds of birds, running water, rustling leaves, and animals communicating with each other. Keep conversations down. Do not shout. If you like to listen to music or a podcast while you are hiking, use headphones and keep the volume down. No one else needs to hear what you are listening to.

• Have control of your dog. Keep your dog leashed and have control over him. While your dog may be the friendliest dog ever, some people are fearful of dogs. Make sure to keep your dog leashed at all times and have control of him throughout your hike. If you have trouble controlling your dog, it is best to leave him at home.