The very nature of hiking makes it a very ecological-friendly activity already. You just need to have proper equipment, choose a trail and move forward. Hiking teaches us to live on less, make do with whatever we packed, appreciate water and natural resources around. But there is still enough to do to make hikes even more nature-friendly.
Imagine, you’ve found a hiking destination that completely blows your mind. You are on the trail, absorbed in your surroundings and hiking through pristine nature. Time seems to stop and you enjoy a wonderful trip. Then, you spot something alien on the floor. Standing out from the deep greens and browns is a pile of trash, just dumped there. It changes everything.
Hiking activities become more and more popular, and our impact as outdoor users is completely changing the landscape. Some of the most popular hiking spots are literally buckling under the pressure.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. You can embrace the natural beauty and continue to be a hiking fanatic, just following some of these green hiking tips!
1. Leave no trash in nature
This tip is probably the simplest and the easiest to implement. Leaving rubbish on hiking trails is awful for the local ecosystem. Wildlife can mistake it for food and end up with stomachs filled with plastic or become injured. On top of that, the chemicals they release as they slowly decompose are dangerous.
2. Collect trash properly
Keep rubbish in a bin bag and if possible split it up for recycling. You can secure rubbish bags in/on your backpack until you find a bin. But even if there are bins, it’s always best to take rubbish back home if you can. Remote bins on trails can overfill quickly so best to avoid them if possible.
3. Respect the nature around
Although it can be tempting to take memories and souvenirs from your hike, try to avoid the temptation and leave them as part of the ecosystem.
4. Light fires responsibly when hiking
When you go for an overnight hike, lighting a campfire to cook dinner on can be a perfect idea. But before you go, better to check if you’re allowed to light fires in the area. And be careful while making a fire in dry landscape.
5. Lead by example
Take into consideration those tips while making your hike. Lead by example on the trail and encourage others to do the same.
There is a non-profit organisation Summit Foundation, promoting environmental awareness in Switzerland. Join it as a volunteer and take part in some environmental activities. For example, in winter 2018-2019, the Summit Foundation launched a new awareness campaign focus on cleaning ski resorts by collecting waste resulting from leisure activities in the mountains. This is a good way to contribute in environmentally friendly initiatives and to be a part of something meaningful.
And last but not the least, you can make every hike a sustainable one. Just take with you a bin bag and a pair of gloves, so if you notice trash on the way you can easily remove it. Time to time me and my friends do these hikes and I believe me it makes sense. Clean the Alps initiative can be your own wish to make the nature to stay in its pure beauty.
Read also my previous posts to know more about hiking in Switzerland:
I think it is a great idea and must feel very “right” and rewarding. It is a responsibility of each of us, thank you for mentioning this topic in your blogpost series!
I agree with these tips. Also, it wouldn’t be pleasant to see trash lying around while on a hiking trip.
Swiss Alpine Club had an initiative a few years ago. They would distribute garbage bags in the mountain huts and ask users to collect trash and post photo on social media. The winners got some amazing prizes. Would be great to participate next time!