Is it all right to leave fruit peel or other organic waste in the forest?

No. Peel from bananas and oranges takes a long time to break down, attracts animals and is unpleasant for the next visitor. Pack out all food waste.

Can I make a campfire in a German forest?

Generally not. State forest laws prohibit open fires in forests and often near them, except at designated fire places, and fire bans tighten during dry periods. A camping stove is the safer choice; check local rules even for stoves.

Am I allowed to pick mushrooms, berries or flowers?

In Germany, small quantities of common plants and fungi for personal use may usually be collected outside protected areas. In nature reserves and national parks, picking is often forbidden. The Nordic right of public access allows berry and mushroom picking more broadly.

What should I do if I need the toilet and there is none?

Walk well away from water, paths and campsites, dig a small hole about 15 to 20 cm deep, and cover it afterwards. Pack out toilet paper where local rules ask you to, and never leave wipes or hygiene products.

Leave no trace in the forest: the 7 principles in Europe

Leaving no trace means visiting a forest so that the next person, and the plants and animals living there, find it as you did. The most widely used framework is the seven principles developed by the US-based Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. They were written for North American wilderness but translate well to Europe, where many of them are also set out in forest and nature conservation law.

The seven principles at a glance

Principle	What it means in a European forest
1. Plan ahead and prepare	Know the rules of the area, the weather and where you may sleep
2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces	Stay on paths in protected areas; use designated sites
3. Dispose of waste properly	Pack out everything; handle toilet needs correctly
4. Leave what you find	Do not take plants, stones, antlers or dead wood from reserves
5. Minimise campfire impacts	Use a stove; fires only where expressly allowed
6. Respect wildlife	Keep distance, do not feed, keep dogs on a lead
7. Be considerate of other visitors	Keep noise down, share paths, respect landowners

1. Plan ahead and prepare

Most damage happens because people did not know the rules. Before you go, check whether you are entering a national park, nature reserve or wildlife rest zone, and what applies there. Find out where you may stay overnight; our overview of wild camping rules in Europe is a starting point. Plan food so that you produce little waste, and pick quieter times to reduce crowding.

2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces

In many national parks, core zones have a duty to stay on marked paths. Even where you may leave the path, walking on rock, gravel or dry leaves causes less harm than trampling moss, young trees or wet ground. When camping, use existing pitches such as the platforms on trekking sites in Germany rather than creating new ones, and keep away from lake shores and streams.

3. Dispose of waste properly

Take home everything you bring, including food scraps, peel and tissues. Where there is no toilet:

Walk well away from water, paths and camp, ideally more than 50 metres.
Dig a hole about 15 to 20 cm deep and cover it afterwards.
Pack out toilet paper where local rules require it, and always pack out hygiene products.
Wash with small amounts of biodegradable soap, far from water.

4. Leave what you find

Dead wood, fungi and lichens are essential parts of an old forest, as our guide on Europe’s old-growth forests explains. Leave them in place. In nature reserves and national parks, collecting plants, stones or animal remains is usually prohibited. Outside protected areas, many countries allow small quantities of common berries and mushrooms for personal use.

5. Minimise campfire impacts

Forest fires are a growing concern across Europe. In Germany, state forest laws prohibit open fires in forests except at designated fire places, and similar rules apply in Austria, Switzerland and many other countries. Fire bans can extend to stoves in dry periods. Where a fire is allowed, use the existing fire ring, keep it small, burn only dead wood lying on the ground and make sure it is completely out.

6. Respect wildlife

Observe animals from a distance and never feed them. Keep dogs on a lead, especially in spring when birds and mammals raise their young, and in wolf areas. Avoid disturbing resting areas in winter, when animals have little energy to spare. Drones are banned in many protected areas because they disturb birds and other visitors.

7. Be considerate of other visitors

Many people come to the forest for quiet. Keep voices and music down, give way on narrow paths and leave gates as you found them. Remember that much forest land is privately owned and that forestry staff, hunters and landowners also have rights.

Leave no trace for short visits

These principles are not only for expeditions. A short walk or a forest bathing session benefits from the same habits: stay on the path, take your rubbish home and let the forest be. Small actions add up wherever many people visit.

Packing for low impact

A few items make low-impact travel easier: rubbish bags, a small trowel, a stove, a water filter so you do not have to rely on bottled water, and a reusable container for snacks. You will find them all in our gear checklist for remote forest trips.