- Walk on the path. Don't cheat by cutting corners, even when you think nobody is looking. Most trails are created in such a way as to minimise the impact of soil erosion
- Do not litter. There is nothing worse then walking on a clean, rocky path and finding a chocolate or chips wrapper caught up in the bushes, not to mention those cigarette butts. Banana skins, orange and naartjie peels and apple cores are included in the term: Do not litter.
- Smokers. Please. Don't smoke in the chalets, the rondavels, the kitchens, the bathrooms or any enclosed areas. Most non-smoking hikers are pretty lenient towards smokers but get very upset when they walk into an enclosed area and smell smoke. Smoke outside around the fires. Do not kill your cigarettes on the trails. Take cigarette butts home with you, nobody else wants them.
- Don't leave your mess behind. When leaving the huts make sure they are as clean as when you arrived. If you use the kitchen equipment, wash, dry and pack it away.
- You want the plants and rocks......buy your own. That plant might look really great in your garden, but leave them where they are.
- Children, make sure they behave themselves. We love children. We need more children to come hiking. We also need their parents to look after them so that everybody can have a good time.
- Always leave gates as you find them. If open, leave them open, if they are closed, close them behind you, if broken, don't try to fix them.
- Ahhh.......fires!!! Fires keep us warm and cook our food, but are also dangerous. Build fires only in designated areas and always, always make sure they are extinguished before departure.
- Don't deface the rocks and trees. Don’t inscribe your name on plants and trees.
- Always co-operate with the hike leader. Some people tend to think they know better and then argue with the hike leader. This causes unrest in the ranks, especially amongst new-comers. If you don't like the way the hike-leader leads his flock, don't hike with him/her again.
- If you have this urgent desire to go to the 'bathroom' and there isn't one conveniently at hand, make sure that you are at least 10m from the trail, preferably behind a bush. If you are close to a water source, ensure that you are at least 50m away from the water line.
- Don't ever wear sandals, slip on's, slippers, etc. Even on day hikes, make sure that you are wearing a decent pair of shoes. If you don't have hiking boots, although not ideal, wear takkies. Hiking boots are generally preferred, as they offer ankle support and are suitable for most terrains, whereas, takkies do not offer such support. The hike leader may prevent a hiker from participating in a hike if his/her footwear is not deemed to be adequate for the terrain.
- ALWAYS carry a minimum of 2 litres of water. Even if you know there is usually a lot of water in that area. Even if you don't usually drink a lot of water on a hike. One day, and it usually catches you when you are unprepared, you might need that water only to find that you don't have it. Rather be prepared for any eventuality. You can always share it with somebody who didn't bring enough
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