The fells of Britain are a shared inheritance. From the Lakeland peaks to the Pennine moors, the Cairngorms to the Brecon Beacons, these landscapes are working environments, wildlife havens and places of deep renewal. Leave No Trace isn't a set of rigid rules imposed from afar; it's a practical attitude that keeps them that way. Here's how to put it into practice on a British hill day.

Why Leave No Trace Matters More Than Ever on British Fells

Our uplands are under real pressure. Paths erode, peat hags expand, and ground-nesting birds are disturbed by well-meaning walkers. The good news is that small choices add up. Leave No Trace is about minimising your impact so that the next person — and the curlew, the mountain hare and the cotton grass — finds the hill as you did. It also keeps access open: landowners and farmers are far more welcoming when walkers respect gates, livestock and fragile ground. You are a guest in a working landscape, and behaving like one is both polite and practical.

Litter: The Small Stuff That Lingers for Years

Most fell walkers would never drop a crisp packet, but the countryside is littered with things people think will break down. They won't, or not quickly enough.

• Banana skins and orange peel can take up to two years to decompose in cold upland conditions. They also look unsightly and can harm livestock.
• Tea bags often contain plastic and do not rot. Take them home.
• Wet wipes are the worst offender. They do not biodegrade and are frequently found on summits and beside paths.
• Dog poo bags — if you bag it, take it with you. Do not hang it from a tree or leave it behind a wall, even if you plan to collect it on the way back. You won't.
• Fruit stickers and tiny wrappers blow away in seconds. Keep them in a pocket, not a rucksack side pouch.

For human waste, the rule is simple: bury it in a hole 30cm deep, at least 30m from water, paths and buildings. Better still, go before you leave the car park. Pack out all tissues and sanitary items in a sealed bag.

Paths, Peat and the Art of Walking Lightly

British upland paths are fragile. A single pair of boots can widen a muddy scar; hundreds can turn a trod into a river of peat. Stick to durable surfaces — rock, gravel, dry grass — and avoid cutting corners or creating new lines. If a path is muddy, walk through the puddle, not around it. Going around widens the damage and eventually kills the vegetation that holds the path together.

On peat, stay on the pitched stone or boardwalk where it exists. Bare peat is a carbon store and takes decades to recover. In winter, frozen ground is brittle: heather and grass snap easily underfoot, so keep to established routes even when the hill looks empty. Do not build cairns, rearrange stones or damage dry stone walls. If you need to navigate, use a map and compass rather than relying on new markers.

Wildlife and Livestock: Give Them the Space They Need

Between March and July, many upland birds nest on the ground. Curlew, lapwing, skylark and golden plover are easily disturbed. Keep dogs on a short lead near any livestock or ground-nesting habitat, and if a bird starts calling or feigning a broken wing, you are too close. Back away quietly.

• Sheep, cattle and ponies are working animals. Give them a wide berth, especially with dogs. Never feed them.
• Ticks are common in rough grass and bracken. Check yourself and your dog after every walk.
• Adders bask on sunny paths in spring. They are shy; stamp your feet and they will move on.

Leave wildflowers, rocks and fossils where they are. Taking a photograph is fine; taking a souvenir is not.

Gates, Walls and the Countryside Code in Practice

The old rule still holds: leave gates as you find them. If a gate is open, leave it open — it may be open for livestock. If it is closed, close it behind you. Do not climb over walls or fences if there is a stile or gate nearby, and never damage a dry stone wall by forcing a gap. Use the stiles properly, and make sure your dog can get through safely without being lifted over barbed wire.

On open access land, you have the right to roam on foot, but that right comes with responsibilities. Keep to the spirit of the Countryside Code: respect others, protect the environment, and enjoy the outdoors.

Planning, Parking and Leaving the Hills Better Than You Found Them

Leave No Trace begins before you leave home. Park considerately — never block gateways, passing places or farm entrances. Car share where you can. Check the weather and tell someone your route. Carry out everything you carry in, including the bits you didn't plan for.

Wild camping is legal in Scotland under the access code, but in England and Wales you need the landowner's permission. Wherever you pitch, keep it small, stay one night only, and leave no trace of your stay. Campfires are a serious risk in dry weather and scar the ground; use a stove instead.

Finally, be kind. Say hello to farmers, follow local signs, and if you see litter that isn't yours, pick it up if you can. The fells give us so much. Leaving them as we found them — or better — is the least we can do.