How to leave no trace when hiking
Hiking is an amazing — and cheap — way of experiencing and enjoying the natural beauty of new areas to which you are traveling. It's also one of the more socially-distant activities you can do. However, what seems to be a simple activity can, without us even realizing it, be very damaging to native species. Here are some simple tips to follow to make sure that we leave no impact during a vacation hike.
Stick to the Paths
This may sound like a petty 'teacher's pet' thing to do, but it is of vital importance to prevent trail widening from occurring. Trail widening is when the soil around a path is broken up or loosened, making it more prone to erosion. Stick to the path and try to walk in the middle of the path, too. If it gets narrow, walk single file. If there is a muddy or wet patch in the middle of the path, then walk through it with boots. If you are hiking somewhere with no set path, hike on the most durable possible surfaces, such as large rocks instead of vegetation in order to avoid damaging the local flora and fauna as much as possible.
Related: 9 outdoorsy U.S. resorts perfect for a socially distant getaway
Also, when beginning a hike, check the regulations of the specific place you will be hiking for further information. Some places have limited paths at times of year when birds (such as puffins) may be nesting underground or when vegetation may be in a particularly vulnerable state.
Look, but Don't Touch
Everything in nature is so intricately interconnected that moving one thing can have a butterfly effect throughout an entire food web or ecosystem. This is why it is so important to look and appreciate things with your eyes without picking up or physically moving anything that you see, including logs, rocks and flowers.
For example, rock stacking has become a popular trend on Instagram wherein people build rock stacks in beautiful locations, making for those awesome Insta-worthy travel photos. However, this is actually extremely damaging to the ecosystem, as it disturbs the habitat of small species that live, hide or seek refuge in or between rocks, as well as causing increased soil erosion by exposing the soil underneath where the rocks naturally fell. It has become so much of a problem that the practice has now been banned by many national parks across the world.
Related: More hikers could soon get permission to hike to the Wave in Arizona
Respect Wildlife
When out in nature, it's important to keep a respectful distance from any wildlife you may encounter. During a hike, we are the visitors in their home — not the other way around. This recommended safe distance will depend on the national park, the species you are viewing and the time of year. For example, a general rule of thumb is to maintain a distance of at least 300 feet when watching bears and wolves, as opposed to about 80 feet for birds. These are just rules of thumb, though keep your wits about you. See how the animal is reacting — do they seem stressed and aware of your presence, or are they just continuing their life without even realizing you are there? Are they venomous or otherwise dangerous? Do they have young with them that you could be stressing, and potentially even separating from their parent?
Related: 8 Survival Tips for Wilderness Hikes
Trash
Think about what you are taking with you on a hike. It's obviously important to be prepared with plenty of water and food, but ensure that anything you take with you, you take back with you so that we are not leaving behind any waste and polluting the natural landscape. The best option is to take everything in reusable containers with a cutlery set, avoiding any single-use plastics.
You could even take this one step further by picking up any other peoples' trash they have left behind along your way. For any real fitness fanatics, you could even try the most recent Scandinavian trend, 'plogging', or jogging whilst picking up litter.
Related: The Top 10 Hiking Trails and Campgrounds in the US, According to Google
Keep Noise Levels to a Minimum
It can be very tempting to take a speaker on a hike and play your favorite music out loud whilst walking through the wilderness. But this could be disruptive to the wildlife, as well as other people who have come out into the wild to seek solace and peace in nature. If you are someone who likes music on a hike, take a good pair of headphones with you, or hike with a buddy and spend the time talking to them.
This increased appreciation and awareness of the natural world whilst hiking will probably help you get more enjoyment from hikes anyway. Take only pictures, leave only the lightest of footprints and bring home only the memories. As the Native American proverb goes, "We don't inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children".
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.