Have you ever done a trail for what feels like a thousand times and one day you think, “What if I go off trail?’ It gets your heart pumping, right? That bit of thrill of going off the beaten path. The feeling takes you back to the time of Spanish explorers discovering the New World. 

As exciting as this may be, it’s actually quite damning for the parks in which these trails are located. There is a reason trails are created in the first place. They are intended to be stomped on by hundreds of hiking feet, unlike the fragile grass which resides just off the premade trail. Sure, it’s okay for one or two hikers to go off trail to seek their thrill, the natural world has survived long enough to handle that, but the problem with us humans is that we live in a constant state of “Monkey see, monkey do.” We see someone do something that appears cool, we have to do it too. This is where things get bad. 

Increased foot traffic off the trail leads to damaging the fragile plants and grasses. Over time, in order to survive, the plant may stop growing there and move elsewhere or the trauma may kill it all together. Ask yourself, is it really worth chasing that bit of high if it costs the brittle lives of the growing plants and grasses.

Create Your Own Trail Markers

There have been plenty of times when I have been on trails without trail markers. (See image below.) Yes, it really sucks. I’ve gotten turned around or led onto another trail thinking it would be simple to circle back. That’s a negative. Sticking to the “Leave No Trace” rule, a hiker should find a better way to create their own breadcrumbs back home. There’s no need to disturb the environment by collecting leaves, sticks, or rocks. Use your footprints or use a tool from your hiking gear to indicate where you have hiked. I don’t mean carving arrows into nearby trees. This is damaging to trees and may cause bug infestation or rotting the exposed area. 

Perhaps draw tiny X’s in the sand or build a little sand mound. I realize no one carries chalk with them on hikes, but if the trails are paved and you happen to have environmentally-friendly chalk, make little symbols to keep track. In all honesty, the very best way to keep track of your trail is to either pay for the PLUS or PEAK plan at All Trails for useful offline trail tracking. If you plan to get lost in nature, you need a reliable friend. 

Enjoying the great outdoors also means to leave it for those who come after you to enjoy it as well. As fun as it would be to go off-trail, not only is it harmful but unfair. Future generations need to be a part of the specter of the natural world. We must all do our part, protect the fragile landscapes by keeping to the pre-made path before us.