Our minimal impact policy was developed to assist in providing a sustainable hiking experience. With this comes our recommendations on protecting our trails for sustainability, and minimising our carbon footprint. We love footprints on trails, but not a carbon one.
We follow the 7 principles of LNT and refer to these at our hikes so you can keep these in your mind while hiking;
Leaving the wildlife to find their own food is of utmost importance. Human foods cause disease and encourage competition between species, and the effects of wildlife feeding relate to animal health issues and the interference with natural population dynamics of species that are more tolerant of humans.
As our hiking groups are often large in numbers, we promote spreading out where possible to avoid single file trails. When the ground is damaged by heavy rainfall, we avoid walking through muddy and water-logged areas where possible. If the track is not wide enough to go around these sections, walking through muddy sections is promoted in an attempt to reduce track widening. It also lessens the likelihood of surrounding vegetation being trampled as hikers try to skirt around muddy or boggy track sections. We use existing tracks and avoid creating new ones. On zigzag paths, we don’t cut corners as this creates unsightly damage that leads to erosion.
Often we are hiking over lunchtime, and recommend bringing a packed lunch to enjoy on the trail. We choose to pack in paper bags and reusable containers, and use reusable water bottles and cutlery. Along with the leave no trace principles, we think that a lot can be done by minimising our plastic use.
Do you want to see what your carbon footprint is? Check out this helpful resource to see if there is anything you can do to reduce your carbon footprint.
Carpool with a friend, or reach out and see who is in your area from our hiking community. This helps to cut CO2 emissions, and connect with a friend or loved one!
The Hike Collective acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which we hike. We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present. The Hike Collective is committed to honouring Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society.
The Hike Collective
The Hike Collective
The Hike Collective
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