You can make hiking a safe and enjoyable experience with these 10 trail etiquette tips.
1. Parking is on a first come, first serve basis. No reserved parking. So please don’t take two spots at a parking lot or make an excuse saying, “I am saving this for my friend who is only two minutes away.”
2. On the trail, if you’re tired and need a break, remember to kindly step aside so others can pass. If you’re a large group on a break, step aside so you’re not blocking the whole trail.
3. If you are behind someone and need to pass, you can politely say “Hello” or “On your left” to pass. This seems to work most of the time as long as you are polite.
4. Be friendly to other hikers and campers. A smile, saying hello, how are we doing? works. Most people are usually kind, polite and friendlly on the trails.
Reserve any sarcasm or negative comments for sharing with friends and family if you wish.
5. On a narrow trail, who should pass first? Usual courtesy states: Uphill has the right of way. Of course, common sense applies too.
6. On the trail or campsite, leave NO trace. Take out whatever you bring in, including banana and orange peels. And yes, T.P & dog poop too!
7. Don’t feed wildlife. Even cute birds or chipmunks can be harmed by what we think are innocent food offerings.
8. Don’t interfere with wildlife; give them space. You can still enjoy their presence by watching from a distance.
9. Please use your library voice. Most hikers spend time in nature to get away from city noise and to seek solitude and peace. At least I do. Please refrain from shouting. I confess, I am still working on this with our dog. Especially when she finds and digs T.P out! Yuck! Also, if you have your dog off-leash on a non-busy trail, be considerate and keep your dog under control when another hiker approaches.
10. Finally, if you need to listen to music, kindly use your headset. Again, this is shared space and being considerate of others is appreciated. We all just want to enjoy a nicehiking or camping experience!
The next time you hike or camp, remember these 10 trail etiquette tips. Do you have anything else you would like to add on the list? Feel free to make suggestions! Happy hiking, #travelwithirine
Irene – this post has such great points in it about how to best be respectful of others when you are going out on a hike. I really appreciate you outlining them here because let’s be honest not everyone follows these basic outdoor rules.
Hey, I am happy to hear you found the blog post helpful. I too, was a beginner and didn’t know some of the “rules.” When you know, you… Cheers