Safety Tips for Hiking
Rules of conduct for safety and harmonious coexistence
When you’re out and about on alpine pastures and mountain trails, you’re right in the middle of the habitat of grazing livestock, wildlife, and rare plants. By behaving appropriately while hiking, you help ensure that this unique natural environment is preserved—and that your hike remains safe and relaxing. In this article, we explain exactly what you should keep in mind while hiking.
On the alpine pastures, you’re not alone—you’re just a guest. So let’s treat our hosts with respect: the wildflowers that need protection, the cows enjoying their summer retreat on the pastures, and the alpine farmers who rely on their animals to stay healthy and lively to make a living. In addition, there are wild animals that need a peaceful and clean natural environment to survive, as well as vegetation off the trails that shouldn’t be trampled. To ensure that the alpine pasture season remains a beautiful and safe experience for everyone for years to come, we’d like to share a few tips with fellow mountain enthusiasts.
Always keep your distance from cows, horses, sheep, and goats; do not feed them; and keep dogs on a short leash at all times. Mother cows, in particular, are sensitive to dogs because they are protecting their calves. As recently as May 2026, a couple in East Tyrol was attacked by a herd of cows—so this is anything but a theoretical issue.
You can read about the 10 specific rules of conduct that ensure your safety and how dog owners should behave in our own article Handling grazing livestock.
© Tom Jünemann
© Madeleine Gruber
Littering in the alpine pastures remains a growing problem—in Styria alone, alpine farmers collect around 1,200 bags of trash each year that hikers leave behind. The simple solution: Take your trash with you—including fruit peels and tissues—because they decompose much more slowly in the mountains than in the valley. Dispose of everything properly after your hike.
Avoid making noise and be mindful of the silence of nature so as not to disturb wildlife. Immersing yourself in the sounds of nature—birdsong, the rustling of the wind, the babbling of a stream—is also an important part of your hiking experience and allows you to truly unwind.
© Jasmin Vazquez
© Jasmin Vazquez
The Alps are a unique habitat for many animal and plant species that are essential to biodiversity and the ecosystem. If every hiker wanders haphazardly through nature, much life is trampled, disturbed, and thereby destroyed. If everyone stays on the marked trails, the surrounding flora and fauna will have the peace and protection they need to thrive. Additionally, alpine pastures and meadows are usually private property and may only be crossed on designated trails.
It’s also important to choose a trail from the start that truly matches your fitness level and experience—you can read about the best way to do this in our article Choosing the Right Hiking Trail.
Learn about protected species in the Alps and always refrain from picking or taking plants with you. Learn about the five most important species in our article Protected alpine plants.
© Madeleine Gruber
© The visualvein
All kinds of high-quality, natural products are made on alpine pastures. Look for retail outlets in your vacation destination or ask about them directly. By purchasing these delicious, regional products, you’ll enjoy the flavors of the region while also making a significant contribution to creating good, clean, and fair jobs and to preserving your vacation destination.
Proper behavior while hiking isn’t a set of rules that detracts from the enjoyment of the hike—quite the opposite. Those who show consideration for grazing livestock, nature, and the local people will experience the mountains more deeply and actively help ensure that alpine pastures and hiking trails remain as beautiful in the future as they are today.
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