Leave No Trace: 7 Golden Rules for Sustainable Hiking

Have you ever? When you hike into the forest to breathe fresh air, but come across litter, snack wrappers, or traces of campfires leaving burn marks on the ground? Conservation tourism is not just a trend, but a "duty" for all of us. And the core of this matter is the principle of Leave No Trace (LNT).

Here are 7 simple golden rules that will help us be responsible hikers and help preserve nature for future generations.

1. Plan Ahead and Prepare

Good preparation is half the battle, and it also helps reduce waste and hazards.

• Research the route and weather conditions: to reduce the chance of getting lost and having to damage trees for marking.

• Prepare your supplies: Remove unnecessary packaging, plastic, or foam boxes at home. Instead, transfer items into reusable food containers. This method significantly reduces the amount of trash we have to carry into the forest.

2. Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces

Some forest areas are highly fragile. Careless trampling can destroy small ecosystems.

• Stay on main trails: Do not stray off-trail to create new paths, as this can lead to soil erosion.

• Choose designated camping spots: or select areas with rock, gravel, dry soil, or dry grass. Avoid pitching tents on top of small trees or in wetlands.

3. Dispose of Waste Properly

This rule is very simple: "Pack it in, pack it out."

• All trash must go home with you: not even food scraps or fruit peels. Besides decaying slowly in some weather conditions, it also alters wildlife behavior by attracting them to human food.

• Human waste in the wilderness: If there are no restrooms, dig a cathole 15-20 centimeters deep at least 60 meters away from water sources. After use, cover it with natural soil. Toilet paper should be placed in a Ziploc bag and carried out.

4. Leave What You Find

The beauty of nature should remain with nature forever.

• Do not collect, break, or destroy: whether it's beautiful rocks, unusual plants, or wild orchids.

• Do not carve or draw: Carving your name on rocks or trees does not make you cool, but severely damages the scenery.

5. Minimize Campfire Impacts

The image of gathering around a campfire might seem romantic, but most wildfires are caused by carelessness.

• Use a portable gas stove: It's safe, easy to control, and leaves no burn marks on the ground.

• If a campfire is necessary: use a fire pan or only build it in designated areas. And ensure it is "completely extinguished" with water until the ashes are cold to the touch before sleeping or moving camp.

6. Respect Wildlife

Remember that we are "visitors," and wildlife are "the hosts."

• Keep your distance: Observe wildlife from afar. Do not approach them closely enough to startle or threaten them.

• Do not feed animals: Human food is harmful to animals' digestive systems and causes them to lose their natural foraging instincts.

7. Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Everyone goes into the wilderness seeking peace and an escape from chaos.

• Minimize noise: Avoid playing loud music. Speak in normal tones; do not shout.

• Share trails and viewpoints: Yield to those hiking uphill first. Do not monopolize viewpoints so others can enjoy the beauty.

"Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time."

Hiking with Leave No Trace principles is not difficult at all. Start with ourselves today, so that Thailand's forests remain beautiful, pristine, and ready to welcome us on every trip, sustainably.