Trail Tips

If you're going on one of our urban trails, then these tips won't all apply - but they will help you to prepare for a day out on our nature trails.

If you're venturing out overnight or longer we highly recommend you get in touch with the Department of Environment and Conservation or the 'friends' group associated with the trail for some trip planning advice.

Leave No Trace

          Plan Ahead and Prepare

• Know the regulations and special concerns of the area you'll be in - for example fire weather warnings and whether campfires are permitted.
• Carry a map or guidebook.
• Plan your route and drop-offs around designated vehicle access points.
• Repackage food to minimise waste.
• Pack suitable clothing (see checklists below).
• Inform DEC and someone at home of your intentions.

• Don’t be tempted to take shortcuts - stay on the Track.
• Only use purpose built or dual use trails for biking and horse riding (some trails, such as the Bibbulmun Track, are ‘walking only’ trails, which are not built to withstand the impact of bikes and horses).
• Don’t trespass on private land.
• Keep to the middle of the Track, even when it is underwater.
• Use designated campsites or local accommodation for overnight stops.
  
  Dispose of Waste Properly 

• Remove rubbish or spilled foods which can harm native animals and spoil the environment. This includes ‘organic’ items such as apple cores and fruit peel.
• If a toilet exists please use it! But if you are ‘caught out’ then walk 100m away from the track and any water course (leave your pack on the trail if you are in a group, so they know where you are). Dig a 15cm deep hole and bury your waste and toilet paper as well.
• Don’t wash your hands in streams if they have soap or sunscreen on them. You may be in a water catchment area and clean water supply is crucial. Use a sanitising gel which does not require water.
   
  Leave What You Find
  
  
• Avoid the spread of ‘dieback’ (soil-borne virus which kills native plants) by cleaning mud off boots, tyres and horses hooves.
• Preserve the past - do not touch cultural or historic structures.
• Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them - they are home to many insects or small animals that play a crucial part in the ecosystem.
• Be careful not to introduce or spread non-native species (e.g. by throwing your apple core into the bush).
• Do not build structures, make new fire places or dig trenches.
   
  Minimise Campfire Impacts
  
  
• Campfires, no matter how small, can quickly escalate and devastate the bush. (Use a lightweight stove for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light at night).
• Where fires are permitted, only use established fire rings.
• Fires are not permitted on ‘very high’ or ‘extreme’ fire dangers.
• Keep fires small and use only dead wood found on the ground that can be broken by hand.
• Burn all wood to ash, put out campfires completely (pour a little water over if necessary). 
  
  Respect Wildlife
  
  
• Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
• Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviours, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
• Leave your pets at home (dogs are not allowed in national parks, water catchments or nature reserves and other areas are regularly baited with 1080 poison). 
  
  Be Considerate of Your Hosts and Other Visitors
  
  
• Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.
• Be courteous. Give way to other users on the track.
• Mountain bikers should ‘yield’ to horse riders by stopping their bikes and getting off, and ‘yield’ to uphill bike traffic.
• Let nature’s sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.
   
  Leave No Trace Australia
  Telephone: 9384 9062
  www.LNT.org.au  

What to Take

Daypack with comfortable shoulder straps (with hip belt preferably) containing:

• Plenty of drinking water (minimum two litres per person per day, three litres per day in hot weather and longer day walks).
• Maps and guide books where suggested.
• Compass.
• Plastic bag to remove all your rubbish.
• Waterproof jacket or poncho (even if it’s a clear day). This can also keep you warm if it turns cooler.
• Small plastic trowel for toilet emergencies, affectionately known as ‘Doug’, and a few sheets of toilet tissue in a small plastic bag.
• Trail Mix (in a plastic snap-lock bag) to keep your energy levels up on longer walks. Try different combinations of nuts, dried fruit and jellybeans.
• Reference material such as wildflower and bird spotting books.
• Medical kit with: heavy crepe bandage (for sprains and snake bite), antiseptic lotion, insect repellent (non aerosol), personal medication (including pain killers), blister kit and fixomull.
• Your lunch if you are going for a longer walk.
• Binoculars and camera (optional).
• Whistle (for emergencies, six short blasts per minute).
• Pocket knife (useful for cutting cheese at lunch time!).
• Beanie and gloves if it’s cold.
• If you haven’t had any First Aid training, take some information with you.
• Mountain bike riders need to take a spare tube, pump, multi-tool / repair kit (visit www.wamba.asn.au for advice on maintenance and repairs).
• Horse riders should take an equine first aid kit and grooming kit.  

What to Wear

• Sunscreen (reapply regularly).
• In winter wear layers of clothing that can easily be peeled on and off.
• Sunglasses.  

For Walking

• Strong shoes or boots with ankle support.
• Long socks or gaiters can help protect against the risk of snake bite.
• Hat with wide brim.
• Loose fitting, breathable fabrics.
• Fly veil in summer.
• Some walkers find two pairs of socks (thick outer, thin inner) helps to prevent blisters.
• Using a walking stick will reduce the chance of injury from stumbles and also give your upper body a work out as well as your legs!

For Biking

• A good quality helmet is legally necessary.
• Cycling shorts and tops (optional).
• Gloves all year round to prevent blisters.
• Mountain bike cycling shoes and clipless pedals are recommended.  

For Horse-riding

• Long pants such as jodhpurs.
• Safety helmet.
• Don’t forget rugs for horses in winter!  

Safety and First Aid

• Tell someone at home exactly where you are going and what time you expect to be back.
• Make sure your water is easy to access and sip regularly to prevent headaches and dehydration.
• Keep a watch out for fires in the area (contact local authorities for more information, see page 4 of the guide book).
• To avoid blisters always stop when you feel a ‘hot spot’. If the blister hasn’t formed, cover the area with a big piece of fixomull (available on a roll from pharmacists). If the blister has formed, use a blister kit (also available from pharmacists). Avoid using band-aids as these can make the blister worse by rolling up at the edges and rubbing the area.
• Talk to your doctor before starting a walking or riding program if you are unsure about your health or fitness level.
• Don’t drink untreated water from streams, pools or water tanks. Tests show that they can contain microorganisms which can cause diseases such as gastroenteritis. Always treat ‘wild’ water by boiling or using a water treatment device.
• If you are lost retrace your route to the last trail marker.