Leaving No Trace: Litter, Fires and Camping Etiquette

The aim of a good walker is simple: to enjoy a place and leave it exactly as it was, or better. That idea is often called Leave No Trace, and it is built on a handful of principles that apply to a village footpath as much as to a remote hillside. Here is how to put them into practice in Britain.

The seven principles

The Leave No Trace approach is usually described in seven short ideas.

Plan ahead and prepare.
Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
Dispose of waste properly.
Leave what you find.
Minimise the effects of fires.
Respect wildlife.
Be considerate of other visitors.

None of this is complicated. It is mostly about thinking one step ahead.

Plan ahead

Good preparation reduces problems. Know where you are going, check access rules and weather, and take what you need. If you plan to eat outdoors, bring a bag for rubbish. Our guide to the Countryside Code covers the basics for walkers in England and Wales.

Litter: take everything home

Most litter is dropped carelessly, not deliberately. Keep a small bag in your pocket or rucksack for wrappers, tissues and tea bags. Remember:

Fruit peel and cores are litter. They can take a long time to break down and can attract animals to places where they should not be.
Bags of dog waste must be taken to a bin or home. Do not leave them on the path or hang them from branches.
Pick up what others have left if you can do so safely. A few items collected on every walk make a real difference.

Fires and barbecues

Fires in the countryside can spread quickly, particularly across dry grass, heather and peat, which can smoulder underground. For walkers, the safest choice is simple: do not light open fires or barbecues in the countryside, and take care with cigarettes. If you want hot food, use a small gas stove on bare ground, well away from vegetation, and never leave it unattended. Observe any local fire warnings or bans.

Toilets

If there is no toilet nearby, plan ahead. Use facilities before you set out. If you have to go outdoors, move well away from paths, water sources and buildings, which is commonly taken to mean at least thirty metres from water. Take a small trowel, dig a shallow hole and cover it afterwards. Carry used tissue and hygiene products out in a sealed bag rather than burying them.

Camping: rules differ

Camping rules vary across Britain and have changed in recent years. In Scotland, access rights generally allow responsible wild camping on most unenclosed land, within a code. In England and Wales, camping without the landowner's permission is generally not allowed, with limited local arrangements that have shifted over time. Always check the current rules for the area you plan to visit, and ask permission where needed. Official campsites, farm fields and small certificated sites offer simple, welcome alternatives.

If you do camp responsibly where it is allowed:

Pitch late, leave early and stay one night.
Keep groups small and noise low.
Pitch away from paths, buildings and water.
Leave no sign that you were there.

Leave what you find

The things that make a place special, such as wildflowers, stones, antlers, feathers and old walls, are best left where they are. Taking a souvenir may seem harmless, but if everyone did it, nothing would remain. Take photographs instead, and leave rocks and plants in place. Do not build cairns or carve into trees, and keep to existing paths, which limits damage to soil and plants.

Respect wildlife and neighbours

Keep your distance from animals, do not feed them and take extra care in nesting season. If you have a dog, follow the advice in our guide to walking with a dog in the countryside. Keep noise down, greet others and leave gates as you found them.

Frequently asked questions

Is it ever acceptable to bury litter? No. Buried rubbish can be dug up by animals and does not break down quickly. Carry it out.

Can I light a small fire if the ground is damp? It is best not to. Fires can burn underground and spread unseen. Use a stove instead, and follow local rules.

Do the principles apply on short walks? Yes. Even a short stroll can leave litter or disturb wildlife, so the same habits apply everywhere.