Eco hiking is very similar to regular hiking: heading out to explore nature, its wildlife and plant life. What sets it apart is its activist stance — working towards a cleaner natural environment. A future where trails are no longer littered with rubbish left behind by careless walkers or by locals treating the countryside as a free tip. Where, faced with a cleaner nature, hikers take greater responsibility.
The principles of eco hiking
Eco hiking works thanks to hikers who care about their environment and respect nature, collecting waste in bin bags. The aim of eco hiking is to preserve hiking sites and raise awareness of nature by calling out bad practices. Eco hiking isn't just for the most "eco-minded" — everyone has a role to play in this practice, and it can even have educational appeal for younger participants.
Eco hiking accessories
In eco hiking, the principle is simple: none of the accessories you use should pollute nature.
Equipment
Enthusiasts regularly use tents, generally well-suited to the space, without disturbing pitches or plants.
You can use highly practical backpacks featuring waste compartments and the ability to charge devices using solar power.
Use stainless steel cutlery sets, ditching single-use plastic cutlery entirely. Water bottles are also available, solvent-free, made from aluminium and completely leak-proof. And if, during a meal, you happen to be away from a stream, portable washbasins exist so you can do your washing up. And of course, bring bin bags for your waste! You can find resealable, sturdy ones, specially designed for eco hiking.
To help you along the way, you can use a trekking pole, which will be useful for steadying your pace or keeping your balance.
On an eco hiking trip, solar chargers should never be overlooked. As well as being eco-friendly, they keep you from running out of battery unexpectedly — especially when you urgently need your phone. Wind-powered devices are another option worth considering.
Continuing in the same vein, rechargeable lamps are also available. High-performing, they can be recharged in sunlight, via USB or with an adapter. There are also dynamo lamps, which are completely waterproof.
Clothing
When it comes to clothing, multi-pocket jackets and multi-pocket gilets are extremely practical, letting you store various items of rubbish thanks to their multiple compartments. For footwear, some shoes are made from fully recyclable materials: chrome- and nickel-free leather.
Hygiene
If you're heading out for several days, shampoos and eco-friendly soaps are available. For washing yourself, go for a solar shower. The idea is to fill a water reservoir which, left in the sun, heats your water the eco-friendly way!
For improvised toilet stops, an eco-friendly trowel lets you dig your hole… and you can even slide your used toilet paper inside the handle!
There are plenty of specialist eco hiking retailers across France. That said, choose your products carefully — it would be a shame to buy gear that ultimately harms the environment.
