9 things you should NEVER do when hiking in the South West

The South West has some incredible hiking trails and I highly encourage anyone who can to explore the region this way!

But, there are some important things to remember when hiking – especially if you’re not used to being in remote areas. 

Here are some things you should never do when hiking – to keep the area protected and you safe. 

1. Never leave gates open behind you

Many UK hiking routes run directly through active farmland. Public footpaths often cross fields where sheep, cows or horses are grazing and gates exist to control the movement of those animals. 

Leaving one open — even for just a moment — can result in livestock escaping, putting them at risk of injury or ending up on nearby roads.

Unless there’s a clear instruction to do so, always shut gates behind you.

It doesn’t matter if you didn’t see any animals in the field — they may be out of sight or could enter from a neighbouring enclosure.

You should also avoid climbing over gates or leaning on them, particularly older ones that may be damaged or warped. 

Use the stile or kissing gate where one is provided. If you’re walking in a group, don’t assume the last person will automatically know to close it — make it a shared responsibility. 

Leaving gates open damages relationships between hikers and landowners, and in some areas has led to rerouting or closure of permissive paths. 

So, closing every gate you pass through is a basic act of respect that protects the landscape for future use.

2. Never rely on phone signal for navigation

Even on marked trails, phone signal is not something you can count on in the British countryside!

Coverage drops in upland areas, forested valleys and coastal zones — and when the signal goes, so do your maps if you haven’t prepared. 

GPS apps like AllTrails, Komoot, or OS Maps are useful, but only if you’ve downloaded the route and base maps in advance. Hiking without an offline map in unfamiliar terrain leaves you vulnerable to getting lost, especially in low visibility.

Don’t assume “it’s just a short walk” means you can get by without navigation tools. In places like Dartmoor, poorly signed junctions and lookalike paths can mislead you quickly. Battery drain is another issue — cold weather, camera use, or prolonged signal searching can flatten your phone faster than expected!

So I’d also highly recommend carrying a fully charged power bank and packing a paper Ordnance Survey map in a waterproof sleeve.

Learn the basics of how to read contours, identify landmarks and use a compass, even if you don’t plan on venturing far from marked paths. 

Rescue teams across the UK are often called out because someone relied entirely on a phone and lost signal. Don’t be that person.

3. Never walk with a loose dog near livestock or wildlife

Letting your dog roam off-lead near livestock is not only irresponsible — it can be fatal for animals and lead to legal consequences for you. 

In England and Wales, farmers are legally allowed to shoot a dog if they believe it poses a threat to their animals (source here).

If you’re walking near grazing animals — even if there’s a hedge or fence — keep your dog on a short lead. Don’t let them run ahead around corners or into fields you haven’t surveyed. Between 1 March and 31 July, additional rules apply in many places due to ground-nesting birds. 

Moorland, heath and coastal grasslands are particularly sensitive; even a friendly dog bounding through undergrowth can destroy nests.

Some open access areas allow dogs off-lead outside of these dates but check local signage before assuming that’s permitted.

4. Never underestimate how quickly the weather can turn

In the UK, weather conditions can shift with little warning — especially in upland or coastal regions. A clear sky in the morning doesn’t guarantee safety in the afternoon!

Rain, strong winds, sudden fog and temperature drops can all arrive within the space of an hour, even in the summer months. Visibility can drop to a few metres in fog or cloud, and strong gusts on exposed ridgelines have been known to knock people off their feet.

Never set out without at least one waterproof layer, even if the forecast looks dry. 

A windproof jacket, insulating layer, hat and gloves should be in your bag year-round, especially if you’re heading to higher ground. 

Make sure your footwear has proper grip and ankle support — wet grass, loose stone, or boggy ground can become dangerous when wet. Plan your route with enough time to descend in daylight, and check sunrise/sunset times before setting out. 

Conditions on the summit can be radically different from those at the base. Never assume what the weather looks like from your accommodation will reflect what’s waiting on the hill!

5. Never block farm tracks, gateways or narrow roads when parking

Rural parking is limited, and it’s tempting to leave your car tucked into a grassy verge or in front of a wide-looking gate when official spots are full. But what looks like an unused path may be in daily use by farm machinery or emergency vehicles. 

Blocking access, even briefly, causes real problems for local residents and workers — and in some cases, your car may be towed or damaged. 

Tractors and feed lorries need wide, clear turning space. If they can’t get through because someone has “just nipped off for a walk,” it disrupts daily operations.

In narrow-lane villages, like many in Devon and Cornwall, streets often have no pavement and passing places are few. Never park directly opposite another car on a single-track road, and don’t assume that because others are parked badly, you can too. 

Use designated car parks wherever possible and pay any fees — they fund the maintenance of trails and facilities.

If a car park is full, have a backup walk in mind nearby. Rural congestion is a growing problem in popular areas, especially in summer or on bank holidays. 

6. Never assume a short trail means it’s easy

Distance alone tells you very little about how difficult a route will be. 

A 3km walk through a city park is not the same as a 3km hike on coastal cliffs, boggy moorland, or steep uplands. Many UK walks include challenging terrain — loose scree, muddy slopes, rocky scrambles, or uneven stone steps — even when the total length is under 5km. 

In places like the South West Coast Path or the moors, circular walks listed as “moderate” can still include sharp climbs, exposed paths with drops to one side, or areas where progress slows to a crawl after rain.

Some routes are poorly signed, and even popular ones can become confusing at junctions or across open ground. If you’re not paying attention to terrain, time of day, and conditions underfoot, it’s easy to get caught out. 

Check the elevation profile, terrain notes, and recent reports from other walkers before heading out. Apps like Komoot and OS Maps can give you this information in advance. 

Walking too late in the day or on tired legs – especially if you’re carrying a backpack – makes everything feel harder. Take into account your fitness level, recent weather, and how long you’ll realistically need — not just how far it looks on the map.

7. Never ignore signs restricting access, fires or camping

Some parts of the UK countryside are open to public access under specific conditions — others are not. Signs such as “private land,” “no public access,” or “restricted area” are legal notices. 

Ignoring them can damage landowner relations, get you fined, or even lead to the closure of permissive footpaths used by others. In national parks or open moorland, access is often limited to foot traffic only. 

Bikes, wild camping, fires and drones may be prohibited even if walking is allowed. If a landowner has temporarily restricted access due to lambing, conservation work or shooting activity, don’t force your way through.

You should also never light a fire or disposable BBQ in open countryside. Wildfires have started this way — some have destroyed habitats and taken days to control. Even camping stoves can ignite dry ground or bracken if not used carefully. 

Wild camping rules are stricter than many assume: it’s legal in parts of Scotland, but in England and Wales it’s only allowed with the landowner’s permission (apart from some flexible rules in Dartmoor). 

8. Never forget to check tide times on coastal routes

Many of the UK’s most scenic hikes follow the coastline — but the sea can cut off access faster than expected. Beaches, estuaries, and cliff-base trails are often only walkable at low tide, and if you mistime your hike, you risk getting trapped or needing rescue. 

In places like Cornwall or the Jurassic Coast, tide times are as important as weather forecasts! 

The RNLI and local authorities publish tide times for most beaches, and some apps (like Tides Near Me) can help you find the right data. 

Allow extra time for breaks, photo stops, or delays on tricky ground. If a path includes a beach section or estuary crossing, make sure you’re back on high ground well before the tide changes. 

Once water starts rising, it can move faster than you expect — and the UK’s coastal rescue services are regularly called out for hikers who didn’t check.

9. Never leave litter, even biodegradable items like fruit peels

Leaving waste behind — even if it seems harmless — damages the environment and ruins the experience for others. That includes apple cores, banana skins, orange peel or tissues. 

These might eventually break down, but not before they’ve attracted wildlife, altered natural feeding behaviour or left a visual blot on the landscape. In higher-altitude or low-temperature areas, even so-called compostable items can take years to disappear. 

Wild animals become reliant on human food scraps, and in some areas, they start approaching walkers or raiding bags — a problem that’s entirely preventable.

Toileting outdoors also needs to be handled responsibly. Don’t leave tissues, wipes, or sanitary products behind rocks or under bushes. 

In remote areas, carry a small trowel and bury waste at least 15cm deep and 50m from any water source, path or camp. 

Littering, even small-scale, contributes to erosion, pollution, and long-term damage to habitats — especially in protected areas like national parks and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs). 

If you can carry it in, you can carry it out. Always leave the trail in the same — or better — condition than you found it.