Boyne Valley Trails and Boyne Valley Walking are proud members of “Leave No Trace” Ireland which provides an easily understood framework of minimum impact practises for anyone visiting the outdoors. Although Leave No Trace is designed for use in the countryside, we at Boyne Valley Trails believe that the 7 principles of Leave No Trace can be applied to exploring any environment, from parks, hills, mountains, towns and waterways. They also apply to almost every recreational activity, and so we encourage our visitors to read the below principles and apply them to your adventure.
These principles are not designed to be strict rules that limit your enjoyment or adventure but rather create awareness that we can enjoy the environment while respecting and protecting it for future use. These are designed to help us minimise the impact of our recreational activity on the natural environment, keeping the beauty Boyne Valley ready for future adventurers.
- Plan Ahead and Prepare: Research your route, check the weather for the Louth/Meath area, and ensure you have the correct gear to avoid needing emergency assistance or straying from trails. We have a second blog on the minimum gear that we recommend when planning an adventure in the Boyne Valley.
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Stay on marked paths, such as the Boyne Greenway or the Boyne Camino. Avoid walking on fragile vegetation or archaeological earthworks to prevent erosion.
- Dispose of Waste Properly: “Pack it in, pack it out.” This includes all litter, food scraps (which can harm local wildlife), and hygiene products. We recommend brining a small plastic bag or two that you can place your litter into, ready to be properly disposed of when you get back to your home or accommodation.
- Leave What You Find: Preserve the heritage of the Boyne Valley. Do not move stones, pick wild plants, or disturb historical ruins. Take only photographs and memories.
- Minimise Campfire Impacts: Use a lightweight stove for cooking if necessary. Fires can permanently scar the landscape and pose a significant risk to wooded areas like Little Wood.
- Respect Wildlife: Observe animals from a distance. Do not feed birds or livestock, as this changes their natural behaviour and can lead to health issues.
- Be Considerate of Others: Respect the local community in Drogheda and fellow hikers. Yield to others on narrow trails and keep noise levels low to preserve the natural soundscape.
