8 Ways to Be a More Sustainable Walker
While walking is undoubtedly the most environmentally sustainable means of getting around, there are still ways we all impact the environments and communities we walk in and around. Fortunately by planning ahead, walking trips needn’t cost the earth or your bank balance.
In recognition of Earth Day 2022 and our responsibility to protect the beautiful places we walk in, we’ve collected 8 low or no-cost tips to help you protect the planet and become a more sustainable walker. Here’s to a happy, sustainable future filled with brilliant walks!
Leave No Trace
As walkers, we’re fortunate to have a wealth of stunning places to explore. From the mountains of Scotland and the fells of the Yorkshire Dales, to the rolling hills of Surrey and the salt marshes of Norfolk, we live in a diverse and beautiful country. But for this reason it’s all of our duty to take care of them.
Wherever we go, we strictly follow the Leave No Trace principle, making as little impact on the places we visit at possible. This means:
Disposing of all litter responsibly, including fruit peels and apple cores, which don’t decompose nearly as quickly as many assume!
Leaving everything exactly as it was before we arrived - no disturbing vegetation or moving rocks if you don’t need to! If you’re foraging, make sure you do so in a sustainable, responsible way.
If you’re walking with a dog, make sure you not only pick up after it but dispose of its waste in appropriate disposal places.
Huge bonus points for actively picking up litter you come across on your walks. It’s helpful to have a dedicated thick plastic bag in your rucksack for small pieces of litter you pick up and can dispose of later.
If your gear is good, keep using it!
While it’s important to make sure your boots, jacket, rucksack, and other essential walking gear is in good nick before you head out, if it doesn’t need replacing then keep on using it! You don’t need to buy the fanciest new boots or jacket every season - decent quality gear should last with the right maintenance, so keep your boots clean and treated (with wax and/or waterproofing treatments) and you’ll extend their life. And it’s good for your bank balance, too!
While buying sustainably manufactured hiking gear is a great choice when you need to replace an item, the most sustainable gear is what you have right now - so try to make it last as long as possible!
Stick to footpaths
The places we walk are almost always served by excellent footpaths maintained by heroic local groups. Sometimes on longer walks taking a shortcut can be tempting, but it’s important to stick to the established footpaths to avoid disturbing wildlife and causing unnecessary erosion. Some of our habitats, such as peat and heath areas, are increasingly fragile ecosystems that need all the protection they can get. Make sure you stick to the bits that are good for people, and let nature retain its own areas to thrive in.
Recycle responsibly
Whenever you’re staying in accommodation on a Large Outdoors getaway, make sure you put your recycling in the correct bins. Local councils collect different recyclables in different groups (e.g. some are able to collect cardboard and glass together, others aren’t), so ask your host which bins to use for your recyclables.
Go reusable
We’ve started asking our guests to bring a reusable lunchbox to carry their packed sandwiches in during our walks. This cuts back on our wastage as a business and helps avoid any accidental littering whilst out in the countryside. We also encourage everybody to bring a refillable water bottle on every walk rather than relying on single-use bottles.
Think about your food choices before a day out walking
When you’re filling up before a day in the countryside, make sure you’re consciously fuelling up. Eating a slightly bigger breakfast with muesli and whole grain bread will keep you going for longer than a lighter cereal (or no breakfast at all - perish the thought!).
When you’re grabbing your lunch and snacks on a Large Outdoors outing, take some time to make sure what you’re taking will keep you going rather than just providing a quick fix. The more filling your choices, the less you’ll waste, which is much better for the planet and keeps you a happier walker!
Support local communities
It can be easy to forget the beautiful places we walk in are also people’s homes and places of work. Communities around beauty spots can be put under a lot of pressure by tourism, so make sure you support the local economy by grabbing something in a tearoom or pub, or picking up a locally produced souvenir or piece of art when you can.
Know your Countryside Code
The Countryside Code is a set of guidelines to help everybody, from walkers to landowners, enjoy the countryside more responsibly. Much of what it covers might be common sense to most, but it’s always work checking to make sure you’re following it to the letter!
You can see a summary of the Countryside Code here.