Trail Safety

Trail Safety Tips

Please consider the following safety tips to ensure that your outdoor trail experience is a safe and enjoyable one.

Food, water and you

Do not push yourself too hard. Hiking is a great way to stay in shape, but can become dangerous if you ignore the warning signs of fatigue.

Know your physical capabilities. Don’t attempt difficult trails unless you have the strength and experience.

Pack ample supplies: plenty of water, lightweight snacks for energy, sunscreen, a compass, a pocketknife, a hat, a map, insect repellent, and a first aid kit.

If using water from natural sources such as, lakes, rivers or ponds, make sure to use purifying tablets as directed. Before consuming water from these sources, boil the water for a few minutes.

Break-in your hiking boots or shoes before you go on a hike. This will help to minimize discomfort typically found in new footgear.

Layer your clothing to control temperature. Always bring rain gear.

Common sense safety

Be aware of weather conditions and reports.

Be alert of dangers such as poisonous plants, wildlife, and falling rocks.

Be careful near cliff edges.

Tend any fire you make in an official campsite area with extreme care. Douse it completely with water before you leave the area.

Wear a helmet when cycling or trail riding.

In winter wear sunglasses, as snowblindness can be very painful and debilitating.

When in doubt of trail conditions – turn around and head back the way you came slowly and calmly.

Watch for wildlife on roadways, especially at night

Getting lost

Research the regulations and special concerns for the area you are planning to hike.

Be aware of sunset and how many hours you have before you are hiking in the dark. Don’t get caught in the dark.

Always hike with a partner if possible, if you must hike solo, inform others of your plans and route in advance.

Do not venture off marked paths. If you believe that you've gotten off course, retrace your steps back to the last trail marking.

Remain in one place if you become lost or separated from your group.

Find an open place and wait for rescue. Don’t go wandering around.

Don’t separate from each other if you don’t have a clue where you are.

Look, don’t touch

Leaves of three, let them be! While on trails, make sure to avoid poisonous plants such as Poison Ivy and Poison Oak.

Do not feed or try to pet or play with wild animals.

If you come across animals that are clearly sick or injured do not move them, but contact a wildlife officer, the SPCA or the OPP.

Leave everything as you found it. It is illegal to disturb plants or wildlife in most areas under federal or provincial jurisdiction, or to remove archaeological artifacts, dead wood, fossils or other geological features. This is particularly important where there are rare, native plants, which are vulnerable to damage.

If you must carry away a memento of your visit, make sure it's only a photograph.

Report vandalism. Ontario’s Natural Resources Tips Reporting Line is a new toll-free direct line that is open 24 hours a day – call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667). Tell the organization managing the trail, if you can, of any destruction or danger you encounter.

Hiking with baby and young children

A baby is old enough to go out on the trails when it can hold its head up without difficulty, usually around six to nine months old.

For longer trails you will need a sturdy backpack designed for carrying a child. Look for one that transfers most of the child’s weight to your hips and ample padding in the straps and belts.

Hike slowly and with caution when a baby is on board. Kids move unpredictably and may throw you off balance at critical moments.

A seated child has a lower center of gravity; it is almost impossible to achieve ideal weight distribution for a small child.

Practice carrying your child in a backpack around home or in town before heading out to a trail to hike.

Provide children with plenty of small bite-size snacks on a regular basis to prevent crankiness.

Bring spare diapers and a re-sealable plastic bag to take them home. Do not bury disposable diapers.

Apply sunscreen to children, dress them in bright colours, speak to older children about the importance of stopping and staying on a trail if they become lost.

Near water

Practice safety around water.

Supervise children at all times.

Wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD), if appropriate.

Wildlife at a distance

Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach wild animals.

Never feed wildlife. Feeding animals in the wild damages their health and alters natural behaviours.

Avoid wild animals when they are: mating, nesting, rearing young or seeking food in winter.

Bear safety: visit Bear Wise Ontario for helpful advice.

Moose safety: Respect the moose when in your automobile. Drive aware, use caution in signed areas and watch at night.

Protecting yourself, your family and pets from rabies. Information from the Ministry of Natural Resources Ontario.

Hunting season safety

Hunting season dates vary depending on type of game. Small-game season [turkey and rabbits] is usually from Sept to end of May. Large-game season [deer, bear, Moose] takes place from about Oct to Jan.

For trail safety wear a blaze orange hat and vest, and if backpacking cover your pack in blaze orange.

Be heard. You can whistle or sing a tune to alert hunters you are in the area and stay on the trail, do not wander off into dense woods.

For additional details on Ontario hunting contact the Natural Resources Information Centre 1-800-667-1940.

Visit the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources web site for more information.

Take only pictures and fond memories away with you. Leave only a footprint on the path you have respected.

Download this handy brochure "Be Safe, Be Seen"

Wear the Bandana!

JOINT OTC/OFAH statement about trails and hunting:

Regarding Hunting in the Forest - "seasonal hunting does take place and is one of the many activities enjoyed in the forest, primarily in spring and fall. Responsible hunters wear hunter orange as the season dictates, are aware of others using the trails, and ensure that they are certain of their target and what lies beyond it. Hunting is a safe recreational activity when practiced responsibly and non-hunters may feel comfortable using the woods at any time of the year." Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, September 1, 2011.

There are many laws in place to ensure hunter training and many 100,000's of thousands of safe interactions take place each year. All persons, licensed or not, should be aware of the uses of the land at different times of year. If you aren't trained or licensed for any form of outdoor recreation, don't do the activity until you are. We encourage all to plan and know allowed uses on and off the trail - Ontario Trails Council, September 1, 2011.