Trail Etiquette

Trail etiquette is important while hiking because it helps protect the environment, ensures everyone’s safety, and creates a more enjoyable experience for all trail users. Following basic guidelines like yielding to others, staying on marked paths, and keeping noise levels down, reduces trail erosion, prevents wildlife disturbance, and minimizes conflicts between hikers, bikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. 

Respecting nature and fellow hikers allows everyone to enjoy the trail responsibly and sustainably.

For more tips on how to be respectful and responsible, check out Love Our New York Lands.

General Etiquette

Right of way - Hikers coming up the hill have the right of way. If you are coming downhill, you should yield to hikers heading up by stepping aside giving space to those that are ascending.

Stay on the trail - If you're hiking and hit a wet spot, walk through it! Leaving the trail to avoid obstacles can increase erosion and damage the ecosystem.

Leave No Trace^TM - Make a positive impact on the trail by minimizing your impact on nature. Find more information about Leave No Trace^TM here.

Do not feed wildlife - Feeding wildlife disrupts an animal's natural habits and can increase the risk of spreading disease. It is illegal to feed certain wild animals in New York State. See why feeding wildlife does more harm than good.

Share the trails - Be aware of other trail users. If you are hiking in a group, don't take up the whole trail. If you are moving slower than someone behind you, allow them to pass. On multiple use trails, hikers should yield to horseback riders and bicyclists should yield to both hikers and horseback riders. Respect others, slow down, and communicate when passing.

Image Credit

Photo: Jessica Ware

Hiking Safely with Dogs

When we hike with dogs, it’s easy to forget that they don’t have a chance to give us their input. Dogs are eager to please their humans, and we can easily misread or even ignore signs that dogs are not up for the rigorous adventure we have planned for them.

Here are some tips when hiking with your canine companion:

• Bring dog-versions of the 10 Hiking Essentials, such as:
  • A bowl for your dog (and extra water!) if you’re not hiking near fresh water.
  • An extra meal or two for your dog in case of an unexpected delay.
  • Pack extra first aid supplies for your pet – flexible wraps, a tick removal tool.
  • Collar with identification, and a leash to keep them by your side.
• Condition your dog for your adventure with pre-hike exercise routine – dogs will push through pain to stay with you so just because they’re hiking doesn’t mean they’re feeling good. A couch dog can more easily get injured when you suddenly take it up a high peak without an existing exercise routine.
• Unless your dog is experienced wearing a dog backpack, be a kind human and carry everything yourself.
• Be respectful of other hikers. No one wants your dog licking their sandwich.
• Leave the hiking to the humans on scorching hot days.
• Remember that we all share the woods. Outfit your dogs with bright colors and keep dogs securely leashed and under control during hunting and trapping seasons.

Leash Laws and Etiquette

Dogs must be leashed at all times in the Eastern Zone of the High Peaks Wilderness and at trailheads, campsites, and above 4,000 feet everywhere else.

Dogs should always be leashed when encountering another hiking group, especially one with dogs of their own.  Dogs should be under the owner’s complete control at all times.