Leave No Trace: A Beginner’s Guide for UK Walkers

We are lucky in the UK. We are blessed with thousands of miles of public footpaths, open access land, and stunning National Parks. But with this freedom comes a shared responsibility: to protect the places we love.

You’ve probably heard of the Countryside Code, which is a fantastic set of rules for walking in England and Wales.

“Leave No Trace” is the globally recognised ethic that takes this a step further.

It’s a simple, shared mindset that can be applied to any outdoor space, from your local park to the wildest peaks of Snowdonia.

The goal isn’t just to not cause harm; it’s to leave a place in the same, or even better, condition than you found it. This guide breaks down the seven core principles into simple, practical actions you can take on every walk.

The 7 Principles of Leave No Trace

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare

Preparation is the most important step to ensure a safe and low-impact trip.

• Know the Rules: Check the regulations for the area you’re visiting. Are dogs allowed? Is wild camping permitted? Knowing the rules before you go prevents accidental damage.
• Check the Weather & Pack Accordingly: A walker who is cold, wet, and miserable is more likely to make poor decisions, like climbing over a dry-stone wall for a shortcut. A walker who is properly prepared with the right layers and a first aid kit can hike safely and responsibly.
• Plan Your Route: Knowing your route with a map and compass prevents you from getting lost and having to scramble over sensitive land.

2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

The goal is to avoid widening paths and creating new “scars” on the landscape.

• Stick to the Path: Use existing trails and campsites wherever possible.
• The Golden Rule for Mud: When you hit a muddy patch, walk straight through the middle of it. It might seem counter-intuitive, but walking around the mud is what widens the path, erodes the surrounding vegetation, and creates a massive muddy bog for everyone else.
• Durable Surfaces: If you are camping, set up your tent on durable ground like dry grass, gravel, or rock, not on fragile mosses or wildflowers.

3. Dispose of Waste Properly

This is the most famous and most important principle.

• “Pack It In, Pack It Out”: This is the golden rule. If you carry it in with you, you must carry it out. This includes all wrappers, packaging, and, most importantly…
• Food Waste: This is the one people forget. Fruit peels (like banana skins and orange peels) and apple cores are still litter. They are not native to our wild places, can take years to decompose (especially on a mountain), and can be harmful to wildlife. This also includes things like tea bags.
• What About Poo? It’s the awkward question, but it’s vital. When you’re on a day walk or multi-day trek and there are no toilets, you must know how to go to the toilet responsibly.
  1. Carry a small, lightweight trowel.
  2. Walk at least 30-60 metres (70 steps) away from any water source (rivers, streams, lakes), paths, or campsites.
  3. Dig a “cathole” 15-20cm (6-8 inches) deep.
  4. Do your business in the hole.
  5. Cover and disguise the hole when you’re finished.
  6. Crucially: You must pack out any used toilet paper or hygiene products in a sealed, discreet bag to dispose of at home.

4. Leave What You Find

The famous saying is, “Take only pictures, leave only footprints.”

• Don’t Build Rock Cairns: It might be tempting to stack a few stones, but these structures can confuse hikers who rely on official cairns for navigation. Leave rocks as you find them.
• Preserve the Past: If you’re on a walk with historic features, like Hadrian’s Wall or a stone circle, observe and photograph them, but do not touch, move, or sit on delicate structures.
• Don’t Take Souvenirs: Leave fossils on the Jurassic Coast and interesting stones or flowers where they are for the next person to enjoy.

5. Minimize Campfire Impacts

While campfires look romantic, they can cause lasting, devastating damage to the landscape, especially in the UK’s sensitive peat moorlands.

• The Best Practice: Use a Stove. A lightweight camping stove is the best way to cook your meals. It’s faster, more efficient, and leaves absolutely no impact on the ground. This is the gold standard for responsible hikers and campers.
• If You Must Have a Fire: Only do so where it is expressly permitted, use an existing fire pit, keep it small, and make 100% sure it is cold to the touch before you leave. But honestly, a stove is just better.

6. Respect Wildlife

We are visitors in their home.

• Observe from a Distance: Never approach, corner, or feed wild animals.
• Control Your Dog: If you’re hiking with your dog, keep it under close control, especially during bird nesting season (March-July) and always on a lead around farm animals.
• Respect Farm Animals: When walking through fields with livestock, move calmly and quietly, and always leave gates as you find them.

7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

The outdoors is a shared space. We’re all there to find our own sense of peace and wellbeing.

• Let Nature’s Sounds Prevail: Avoid loud voices and, most importantly, do not play music from a speaker. Everyone is there to enjoy the sound of the wind, the birds, and the streams, not your playlist.
• Parking Etiquette: Park considerately. Never block a farm gateway, a forest entrance, or a narrow country lane.
• Be Courteous: A simple “hello” on the trail goes a long way. When encountering other walkers on a narrow path, yield to those coming uphill.

Conclusion: A Mindset, Not Just a Rulebook

Leave No Trace isn’t about a complex set of rules. It’s a simple, powerful mindset based on respect—respect for nature, and respect for other people.

By following these simple principles, you’re not just protecting our beautiful wild places for the next person who comes along; you’re ensuring they’ll be just as beautiful for the next generation.