Leave No Trace is the shared ethic that keeps mountain places wild. The idea is simple: travel in a way that leaves the land as you found it, so the next person, and the wildlife that lives there, finds it whole. In the mountains this matters more than anywhere, because alpine soils, plants and water systems recover slowly from damage and see concentrated visitor pressure. These seven principles, applied with common sense, cover nearly every situation you will meet on the trail.
Plan ahead and prepare
Most impact happens because of poor preparation, not bad intentions. Research the area’s rules, weather and terrain before you go, and travel in small groups where the guidance suggests it. Bring the right gear so you are not forced to cut corners, like camping on vegetation because you cannot cope with the cold. Know how you will handle food storage, human waste and rubbish before you set out, and carry a map so you stay on route instead of trampling new paths.
Dispose of waste properly
Pack it in, pack it out: everything you carry in, including food scraps, packaging and tissues, comes back out with you. Bury human waste in a small hole 15 to 20 centimetres deep and at least 60 metres from water, trails and camps, and pack out toilet paper in a sealed bag. Wash dishes and yourself well away from streams and lakes, scattering strained dishwater widely. In some fragile or high-use areas you may need to pack out all solid waste; check local guidance.
Travel and camp on durable surfaces
Stay on established trails and avoid cutting switchbacks, which accelerates erosion. Walk through the middle of muddy trail sections rather than widening them by skirting the edges. Camp on rock, gravel, dry grass or snow, or in established sites, and keep camps small. In pristine areas, spread use so no single spot gets worn down. Alpine vegetation can take decades to recover from a single thoughtless footstep, so treat meadows and moss with particular care.
Leave wildlife and nature undisturbed
Leave rocks, plants and natural objects as you find them; stacked cairns and souvenirs diminish the next person’s experience. Never feed wildlife: it changes animal behaviour, damages health and creates dangerous encounters. Observe animals from a distance and store food securely so they cannot access it. Keep campfires small, use established fire rings where fires are allowed, and skip the fire entirely where wood is scarce or rules forbid it. Finally, be considerate of other visitors: keep noise down, yield the trail and take breaks off the path.
Leave No Trace is not a list of prohibitions but a habit of attention. Plan well, pack out everything, stay on durable ground and give wildlife its space. The mountains will look after you; this is how you return the favour.