Nature is a fantastic playground for sport, discovery and wellbeing. But, as we know, it is also very fragile and already damaged in places. Hiking enthusiasts should not assume that simply walking outdoors means they have no impact on the surrounding environment. Quite the opposite! That's why eco-responsible hiking must be a priority for everyone — hikers and manufacturers and retailers of outdoor products alike.
Always carry a plastic bag to collect all your waste and take it home with you. Even the smallest piece of litter has a huge impact: chewing gum takes 5 years to break down, and a plastic bottle takes 4 centuries. You can also think about picking up what others have left behind in nature. If everyone brings back a small bag of litter gathered here and there on each outing, it will make a real difference.
If you're unable to take certain biodegradable waste with you, you can dig a small hole to bury it. The same applies to natural needs — which means not leaving toilet paper in the beautiful surroundings around you! Pick it up or burn it (making sure to stay and watch until it has burned completely and safely).
It's tempting to pick a bunch of wildflowers when you come across a beautiful specimen! But most of them are protected, and you'll have just as lovely a memory by photographing them instead. Some species aren't protected, but it can be hard to tell them apart. When in doubt, leave them be — so others can enjoy them too, and so you can find them again next time they bloom.
With Bluesign®, a solution for durable, ecological and safe textile production created in 2000, we guarantee that 5 key points in the textile production process have been verified: resource productivity, consumer safety, water pollution, atmospheric emissions, and the management of risk related to the handling of chemical substances throughout the entire production chain.
Furthermore, the OEKO-TEX-100® certification is a global independent testing and certification system for textile products. It confirms the absence of toxic or harmful chemical substances and is particularly used in our anti-mosquito clothing range, where the products used have no adverse effects on human health.
This is, in fact, a comprehensive approach and ongoing commitment to improvement that we have put in place to support our customers who care about their health and the preservation of their environment. Eco-responsible hiking is possible, and it is built through every technical improvement — but above all, it comes down to a mindset and a way of behaving. Our brand has embraced both to protect our playground and our planet.
What behaviours should you adopt for eco-responsible hiking?
Eco-responsible hiking is the sum of many small behaviours. It's impossible to cover them all here, but we can easily identify a few key areas and ways each of us can improve to minimise our impact as much as possible.Don't litter
Always carry a plastic bag to collect all your waste and take it home with you. Even the smallest piece of litter has a huge impact: chewing gum takes 5 years to break down, and a plastic bottle takes 4 centuries. You can also think about picking up what others have left behind in nature. If everyone brings back a small bag of litter gathered here and there on each outing, it will make a real difference.
If you're unable to take certain biodegradable waste with you, you can dig a small hole to bury it. The same applies to natural needs — which means not leaving toilet paper in the beautiful surroundings around you! Pick it up or burn it (making sure to stay and watch until it has burned completely and safely).
Stay on marked trails
Marked routes protect natural and protected areas. Every time you venture off the beaten track, you're gradually destroying an entire ecosystem. Many animal and plant species are extremely fragile, and the soles of your boots can be devastating for a great number of them.
Do not pick protected species
It's tempting to pick a bunch of wildflowers when you come across a beautiful specimen! But most of them are protected, and you'll have just as lovely a memory by photographing them instead. Some species aren't protected, but it can be hard to tell them apart. When in doubt, leave them be — so others can enjoy them too, and so you can find them again next time they bloom.
Choose organic food for your hiking meals.
Eating organic on your hikes keeps you consistent all the way through — it's not only better for nature, but healthier for you too. Also favour local produce found at markets in the villages you pass through. It has a lower carbon footprint (less transport) and buying it revitalises the local areas you travel through.Mind your transport!
Getting to a hiking trailhead usually means taking the car. Think about carpooling to reduce the impact. It's not uncommon to see five cars in a car park for six or seven people, when two vehicles would have been enough! It takes a little organisation, but setting up a carpool really isn't that complicated. Finally, many multi-day treks or hikes organised by agencies include bag transport by vehicle. This is avoidable too: why not go back to proper self-sufficient treks where you carry your own pack? It encourages you to think carefully about what you bring and to keep an eye on the weight. Some agencies now offer treks exclusively with pack-carrying and ban vehicle bag transport, giving their clients a fully eco-responsible experience from start to finish.Choose your hiking clothing carefully
Your choice of hiking clothing has an undeniable impact on the environment. Although significant progress has been made, there are still products manufactured with a heavy ecological footprint. However, many certifications have been introduced to reflect brands' commitment to producing better and less harmful goods. That's why at Cimalp, where ecological responsibility is at the heart of everything we do, we have adopted production methods aimed at reducing our environmental impact.With Bluesign®, a solution for durable, ecological and safe textile production created in 2000, we guarantee that 5 key points in the textile production process have been verified: resource productivity, consumer safety, water pollution, atmospheric emissions, and the management of risk related to the handling of chemical substances throughout the entire production chain.
Furthermore, the OEKO-TEX-100® certification is a global independent testing and certification system for textile products. It confirms the absence of toxic or harmful chemical substances and is particularly used in our anti-mosquito clothing range, where the products used have no adverse effects on human health.
This is, in fact, a comprehensive approach and ongoing commitment to improvement that we have put in place to support our customers who care about their health and the preservation of their environment. Eco-responsible hiking is possible, and it is built through every technical improvement — but above all, it comes down to a mindset and a way of behaving. Our brand has embraced both to protect our playground and our planet.
