Responsible walking in Europe

Is it OK to throw cherry stones into the sea as you hike along the Amalfi coast? Or an apple core behind a bush in the Pyrenees? Well, they aren’t exactly weapons of mass destruction, but a piece of coral that has taken years to grow might not feel the same way, or the insects that thrive on indigenous trees. So, just to be safe, take out what you brought in. Leave No Trace is the leading worldwide authority responsible for training and educating guides, children, and walking groups on how to protect the places where they love to walk. So much of it may seem common sense, but there are still thousands upon thousands who leave stuff behind. Some of this is just downright stupid, such as disposable barbeques, drinks bottles and even pop up tents. But others sometimes don’t realise that banana skins, cigarette butts and chewing gum are also detrimental to the environment, or at least take a long time to biodegrade. Another tough message, and one that is hard for kids, is not to pick wildflowers. Because Leave no trace also means leaving nature as you find it. Here are some of their top tips, not all common sense, but all very sensible.

You don’t mess with the mountains and, for that reason, on most of our walking holidays that take you into Europe’s elevated areas, such as the Pyrenees, Dolomites and of course, the Alps, you will be walking with a mountain guide. However, whether you are on a self-guided walking holiday or a guided, group holiday, it is crucial to have some awareness of mountain safety.

If possible, always go walking in mountainous regions with an International Mountain Leader or IML or other qualified mountain guide. These are highly qualified people, who know the terrain very well, the weather patterns, avalanche risks and so on. They are also fully trained in emergency procedures and will warn the walking group about dangers and how to prevent accidents. Some walkers turn a blind eye to mountain safety, particularly in summer, and think they can take on the peaks without a guide. But unless you are experienced, this is often misguided, as conditions can still be extreme in summer, with avalanches happening as late as May in some places.

It is important to realise that the majority of accidents happen in the mountains because of exhaustion, exacerbated by overexposure to heat, cold or being dehydrated. So take all the precautions that you need. For more extreme hiking, such as summiting Mont Blanc, see our Mont Blanc travel guide for more details.