Sustainable hiking

LEAVE NO TRACES!

Unspoilt landscapes and rare plant species - anyone travelling in the mountains immerses themselves in a very special natural environment. However, there are a few things to bear in mind to preserve this. Because when we walk through forests and meadows, wind our way through the trees or climb over rocks, we invade the flora and fauna - so we should do this as gently and sustainably as possible. We'll show you how you can have a great hiking experience and still protect the environment with a few simple tips.

PAY ATTENTION TO SUSTAINABILITY FROM THE MOMENT YOU ARRIVE

Even if you pay attention to numerous sustainability aspects when hiking, you still have to get to the mountains somehow. This is often done by car. But here, too, you can be more conscious when travelling. Perhaps next time, simply form a car pool so that you don't have to drive three cars into the mountains to go hiking with friends.

Another option is to use local public transport. Why not simply travel by train on your next tour? The big advantage is that you have much more flexibility when choosing your hiking route, as you don't have to return to the car park, but can travel back from a different waypoint.

Of course, you can also skip the journey completely. Simply hike at home and discover tours on your doorstep. There are wonderful tours in every region that you have often never discovered yourself. True to the motto "Why go far away when the good things are so close", you are sure to discover one or two hiking highlights here.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR HIKING EQUIPMENT

Of course, hiking equipment is also an important aspect if you want to be sustainable when travelling. To conserve resources, it is best to buy high-quality and robust hiking equipment so that you can use it for several years. There are also numerous outdoor suppliers that offer sustainably produced outdoor clothing. LOWA, for example, focuses on "Made in Europe" in the production of its shoes and only uses high-quality materials that meet the highest quality standards. This means that the shoes can be used for many years.

USE YOUR OWN LUNCH BOX AND DRINKING BOTTLE

To avoid packaging waste directly, it is best to take your food for the hike in reusable bottles and cans.

As well as reducing waste, they have practical added value for you: thermos flasks, for example, can keep your drinks hot or cold. You can also buy special filter bottles that filter any impurities out of the water you have bottled from mountain streams. This water should not simply be drunk as it could be contaminated. It is best to only fill up your drinking bottles at drinking water fountains. Then you are on the safe side.

Your lunch or snack box also has practical added value. It protects the food from bruising in the rucksack and the lid of the box can also be converted into a cutting board in a flash.

But it's not just the containers that are sustainable. Perhaps it doesn't have to be the tropical fruit that has already travelled thousands of kilometres to be taken up the mountain. The farm shop in the valley is sure to have many a treat that is also perfect for a mountain tour.

The big advantage: in local shops or markets you can buy without packaging. This means: straight from the shop into your lunch box and up the mountain. This also supports local farmers and small businesses in the region.

DISCOVER NEW AREAS AND PLANT SPECIES

If you are out and about in nature, you will discover numerous plants and animals along the way. True to the motto "You only appreciate what you know", it is definitely worth broadening your horizons a little. Why not look up which plant you have just discovered from time to time or inform yourself about the numerous information boards along the way, which can be found on many hiking trails. The more understanding you have of nature and the complex ecological relationships, the more you will understand how worthy they are of protection.

It is also important to protect hiking trails in general. Many routes are very popular and almost overcrowded in the high season. If too many outdoor enthusiasts are out and about at the same time, it is difficult for nature to recover in these areas. It is therefore worth trying out a new route and exploring lesser-known destinations. If possible, you can also head for the more popular destinations in the low season. This will not only protect nature, but also your nerves.

STAY ON THE MARKED PATHS

Forests, meadows, moors, rocks - nature offers an experience for all the senses. When hiking, we can enjoy natural phenomena large and small. Whether it's a rushing waterfall or a deer grazing in a forest clearing - as hikers, we are only guests in nature. It is therefore important to give it its space. You should therefore always bear the following in mind:

STAY ON THE MARKED PATHS

Leave nature to its core zones and stay on the paths. This not only protects animals and plants, but also yourself. Avoid shortcuts and return to the last known point if you lose your way. This way you won't lose your bearings and you'll be travelling through nature in an environmentally friendly way.
PLANTS AND ANIMALS: JUST LOOK, DON'T TOUCH

Along the paths and trails you will often find rare plant species and can observe many a wild animal. But the same rule applies here: just look, don't touch! Even if the animals are curious and come close to you - keep your distance and enjoy the moment. You should definitely refrain from feeding and stroking the animals. The following applies to plants: look at them and take photos - at any time. Take them away and break them off - under no circumstances. Mountain flowers in particular are often protected and rarely occur.
KEEP DOGS ON A LEASH

Of course, our four-legged friends also enjoy going hiking with us. However, it is important to keep your dog close by at all times. It's best to keep him on a lead.
OBSERVE THE BREEDING SEASON OF BIRDS DURING CLIMBING TOURS

Even if there are few plants when climbing on the wall, some birds nest in the rock faces. It is best to find out about the nesting times beforehand so that you do not disturb the birds. If you come across a nest, be sure to leave it untouched.
AVOID NOISE IN THE FOREST

For many people, the forest is a place of tranquillity - and it should remain so. The forest is home to numerous animals. Even if you don't always see them, you should be considerate of them. So keep as quiet as possible, don't turn on loud music or shout loudly through the forest. This way, you won't disturb animals or people and can enjoy the forest better yourself. After all, the forest itself makes exciting noises that you are unlikely to hear in everyday life. Just enjoy the "forest music" and listen carefully!

STAYING OVERNIGHT IN THE MOUNTAINS

If you are planning a hiking tour lasting several days, you will of course have to spend the night in the mountains. In addition to staying in mountain huts, some also decide to spend the night directly in nature. An impressive experience - but here, too, there are a few rules to follow.

CAMPFIRES ONLY IN DESIGNATED AREAS

Anyone who has set up camp is of course also happy to have a campfire. These are particularly popular in summer. But beware: there is a risk of forest fires. In Germany, forest fires caused by campfires are recorded every year. Therefore, avoid open fires on dry meadows and near forests and only light a campfire if this is expressly permitted. It is best to light a campfire only at fireplaces that have already been built. Important: keep the fire small and spread the completely cold ashes widely the next morning.
SMALL RULES FOR THE OUTDOOR TOILET

If you are travelling for several days, you will of course need to go to the toilet. Generally speaking, a visit to a hut is best suited for this. But if you do have to use the outdoor toilet, just make sure that you are at least 60 metres away from water, that the toilet paper you bring with you is 100 percent compostable and that the hole you need in the ground is at least 15 cm deep.
HANG UP YOUR HAMMOCK CORRECTLY

If you don't want to set up camp on the ground, you can also find peace and quiet in a hammock. If you don't have one, you can simply make your own hammock from fabric and rope. To do this, you need a sturdy fabric (size approx. 300cmx140cm) and a long, stretchy rope (length approx. 25m).
barrel and fold the upper narrow sides together so that you can tie a rope to it without it slipping out again. If you add a stone or a piece of wood here, the rope will not slip out so easily. The two ropes are now hung between two trees - and your DIY hammock for travelling is ready. If you attach the ropes to a tree, you should make sure that the trees are not damaged. An additional tree protector under the rope distributes the load more evenly and prevents abrasion of the bark.

TAKE YOUR RUBBISH BACK WITH YOU

The golden rule of sustainable hiking: "Take everything you have with you back home with you". This applies in particular to rubbish - whether you are staying in a hut or on a hiking tour. It is best to pack an appropriate bag in your rucksack so that you can dispose of waste in the valley. This rule applies not only to plastic packaging, but also to tissues or leftover food. While the stalk of an apple rots quite quickly, a banana peel takes between one and three years.

Here is an overview of the average rotting times of waste on the mountain:

Chewing gum: 5 years
Cigarette butts: 2 - 7 years
Handkerchief: 1 - 5 years
Banana peel: 1 - 3 years
Nylon fibres: 60 years
Plastic bag: 120 years
Tin can: 500 years
Plastic bottle: 500 - 1,000 years

If you also discover other people's rubbish along the way, you should simply pack it up and take it down into the valley with you. Nature will thank you for it.