Sustaining our Countryside for the Future

Rachel and Richard at Peak Walking Adventures care deeply about the beautiful, natural environment in which they are fortunate enough to live, work, and share with you. They feel it is vital that the countryside remains a thriving community with a strong local economy. They therefore seek to operate their individual businesses in a thoroughly sustainable way, that will not only help to protect the wonderful landscapes, wildlife, and plant life for future generations to enjoy, but will also support local communities, and the local economy, allowing it to remain a 'living, working countryside'.

You can get involved too! Below are the measures that we have implemented, and also what you can do to help, and to make your experience more enjoyable.

To help protect the environment, we:

Only take small groups out into environmentally sensitive areas to minimise the impact on delicate ecosystems and avoid unnecessary erosion.
Implement a 'leave no trace' policy, leaving the countryside with no evidence that we have visited.
Help our customers to learn about the fragile upland environment and how they can help protect it.
Share our knowledge of local plants, animals, geology, and local history to promote a greater love of the countryside and desire to protect it among others.
Follow The Countryside Code on all of our walks.
Encourage customers to arrive by public transport or minimise the use of their car during their stay.
Make some of our walks accessible to those using public transport.
Do most of our marketing, admin and booking arrangements on-line to reduce use of paper
Recycle the small amount of waste paper, print cartridges etc that we produce
Follow environmental guidance offered by the National Park Authorities
Support local charities.

To support the local economy and communities:

Use local suppliers whenever possible
Recommend locally owned hotels, guesthouses, and self-catering accommodation
Encourage our customers to sample locally produced food
Promote to customers other attractions, craft products, activity providers etc within the area
Help our customers to learn about the local way of life, culture and heritage.

How can you help make a difference?

When planning your guided walks:

Consider whether you could give your car a holiday and travel here by public transport. There are rail links from most parts of the country and some of our walks are accessible by public transport.

While you are here:

If you have brought your car, minimise its use during your stay. Ask about public transport and bike hire on your non-walking days

Buy some of the superb local produce that is available, support local outdoor clothing and walking supplies shops
Take home local food, art and crafts as souvenirs
Use water and power sparingly, switch lights off, turn the heating down whenever possible.
Recycle your rubbish or take it home
Dispose of batteries at proper disposal points so they don't cause contamination
Respect our countryside, take photos not plants, leave gates as you find them.
Take home only memories and photographs. Never pick wild flowers or take rock samples etc.
Don’t climb dry-stone walls, they fall down easily and take a long time to repair
Keep to rights of way on private ground, keep to paths on Access Land during the breeding season, keep dogs on a lead, and respect Access Land closures and restrictions.
Show you are a responsible traveller, ask about environmental policies, look for environmental awards.

When you get back:

Leave a review for us on Google or Facebook, or e-mail us and let us know how you think we are doing. Let us have your ideas for further reducing environmental impacts and sustaining local communities.

Tell your friends about the wonderful countryside, history, and folklore. Share your photos.
Follow our Countryside Blog to learn more about the countryside through the seasons
Enjoy the memories and start planning your next trip!