GREEN FLAG TRAILS - Trail Quality Accreditation System (Hand-out summary of presentation for translation) By Prof. Leon Hugo and presented by Galeo Saintz at Jeju, World Trails Conference 2014. The Green Flag Trails accreditation system is a voluntary eco-label system developed in Africa to create effective minimum standards for hiking trails to improve the hiking industry for the benefit of all involved. The principle behind it is to give recognition to trail owners / organizations who adhere to the concept of responsible trail management, delivering a trail product that is 'value for money' to the hiker and which is responsible towards the environment and which aims to increase visitor numbers on trails. The system has been developed by a team of researchers under the guidance of Prof. M.L. Hugo of the University of Pretoria. A series of scientific publications have been published in academic journals on the research conducted over 15 years in developing the system. Why quality trails are necessary Many industries that cater for the public are certified, taxis, hotels, etc. Value for money (time, effort, etc.) Legal claims (safeguard owner) Assurance of quality experience Increase environmental compliance Marketing accuracy Prevent unnecessary development of low quality trails no one walks Quality trail stimulate the whole industry How Green Flag Trails ensures Quality Trails: A network of trained trail assessors Recognizable brand (i.e. example of Blue Flag Beaches) Simple system easy to understand Volunteer self-assessment Credited Green Flag Status Cross-marketing incentive Why an internationally recognized system of trail assessment can increase trail visitor numbers: Norms and standards for trail assessment that are recognized Hikers and walkers can easily identify the trails suitable to them More people walk trails when they know what they can expect The Benefits of Green Flag Trails: Green Flag Trails 1
When confronted with legal claims from hikers for any form of mishap, the Green Flag Trails trails might most likely be able to claim indemnity having received a clean bill from a professional body. Marketing is enhanced in that > 3 000 hikers visit the Green Flag Trails website monthly. Hikers require a safe trail and good information in order to decide to go on a specific trail. Discovery Health s Vitality system has accepted the Green Flag Trails as part of their system of allocating health insurance incentive points in their loyalty program. Green Flag Trail owners will, in the eyes of hikers and government, be perceived as being a responsible custodian of our natural heritage - which is the basic resource for a sustainable hiking trail. How the Green Flag Trails system works, from assessment to implementation: 1. Assessor Training: theory + practical + report. 2. Green Flag principles + procedures presented. 3. Certified auditor visits the trail to assess: Safety standards Service and trail facilities Difficulty rating of trail Type of environment Ecological impact and layout design Accuracy of trail s marketing material Type of trail 4. Report is sent to trail operator for comments. 5. Final report presented to peer review board. 6. Green Flag status is awarded, rejected or marked as provisional. 7. Trail is posted on website. 8. Questionnaire available on the trail for users to complete and give on-going feedback. 9. Re-assessment period identified. 10. Marketing materials: stickers, flag + logo List of countries with Green Flag Trails: South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, Peru, Australia Future development of the Green Flag Trails system Green Flag Trails has proven itself on a variety of trails including over 40 in South Africa and many new trails pending inclusion. The system is simple yet rigorous and ready for further expansion. The unique Trail Difficulty Grading methodology used by Green Flag Trails: All existing systems of describing difficulty of trails are subjective. There is however little value in describing a trail in a subjective way as being easy or difficult. A trail can be measured according to two aspects: Energy Rating: Calculated on the basis of the exertion factor (objectively measured in terms of the energy required) and expressed in terms of kcal. This is transferred onto a scale of 1 10+ : 1 being Green Flag Trails 2
exceptionally easy and 10 more-or-less the top notch for seasoned hikers. Every person has to calibrate him/herself on a trail for which the energy measurement is known, in order to determine which category is fine for him/her. Easy: Level 1 4 (<1000 kcal); Moderate: Level 4 7 (1000 2200 kcal); Difficult: Level 7 10 (2200 3300 kcal); Extremely difficult (only for very fit hikers): Level 10+ (> 3300 kcal). Technical difficulty: A trail might be very easy in terms of energy required but has a dangerous or difficult place to negotiate technically. The classification for this element is defined as follow: Level 1 is Walk is where you can stroll/walk with hands in pockets. Level 2 is Scramble where hands are required in some places to climb up a hill or a rocky stretch or where hikers have to slide down a steep slope or crawl. The trail is not dangerous but uncomfortable to walk in places. Level 3 is Climb where you have to pull yourself up or a ladder or chain (whether horizontal of slanting) is required to negotiate dangerous or very steep sections. A narrow ledge, exposure to (scary) heights or other locality where walking can be potentially dangerous especially under adverse weather conditions. Difficult river crossings will also fall in this category. Level 4 is Serious climb where there are (vertically fastened) ropes or chains or requires other safety equipment to be used. Not normally associated with hiking trails. Credibility The Green Flag Accreditation System (Green Flag Trails) is run under the auspices of HOSA (Hiking Organization of Southern Africa) and is underwritten by SAHTOA (SA Hiking Trail Owners Association). Green Flag Trails is a member of SATSA (SA Tourism Services Assn.) and is being implemented by all major trail owners in South Africa (such as SANParks, Cape Nature, Komatiland Forest, MTO, KZN Wildlife, regional and provincial authorities and major municipalities. This is the only national and international accreditation system of its kind for hiking trails. The system has been developed by a team of researchers under the guidance of Prof. M.L.Hugo of the University of Pretoria. A series of scientific publications have been published in academic journals on the research conducted over 15 years in developing the system. info@greenflagtrails.org www.greenflagtrails.org Green Flag Trails 3
Leading Quality Trails Best of Europe Walking is very popular. All over Europe more and more people tie their boot laces during their holidays and leisure time, and discover a variety of natural beauties on foot. The special quality certificate of Leading Quality Trails Best of Europe offers a transparent system of criteria for the improvement of trail quality throughout Europe. The use of the criteria system Leading Quality Trails Best of Europe renders the attractiveness of routes measurable and guarantees a high quality walking experience. Such a system has to capture the complexity of different landscapes, infrastructures and route character in comparable dimensions. To allow for the variety and uniqueness of the landscapes and walking routes in the different regions of Europe, the criteria system has been constructed with maximum flexibility. It uses the years of practical experience in countries that already use quality criteria to plan and upgrade walking trails. The rating/grading as Leading Quality Trails- Best of Europe is an award as well as a method to optimise the overall route infrastructure. The criteria can be used as a checklist and help countries that have to build up their walking route network. In countries that already have a functioning route network, such a system can strengthen walking tourism further. The logo Leading Quality Trails- Best of Europe is used on national as well as international trails. Certification is only available for complete trails. Minimum is a distance of at least 50km with three daily stages. A walking route is examined on three levels: 4-km sections (= ca. 1 hour walking time), daily stages and the overall length of the trail. This multi-dimensional assessment assures that the route is attractive throughout, offering the walking tourist the most variety possible. Every 4-km section will be assessed and judged by using the following 23 criteria. Throughout the overall length and all daily stages additional core criteria must be met The criteria: Trail surface format 1. natural trails at least 35% of the overall route 2. fortified trails 3. uneven but passable trails max. 5% of the overall route 4. sealed surfaces 20% of the overall route 5. paths wide less than 1 m 6. on busy roads max. 3% of the overall route 7. alongside busy roads max. 10% of the overall route Trail routing system/ visitor guiding 8. marking 9. signposting 10. network Nature / landscape 11. variety 12. natural quietness 13. attractive natural landscapes. 14. natural waters 15. points of natural beauty 16. impressive panoramas Culture 17. pleasing urban scenes 18. local attractions 19. national attractions Civilisation Green Flag Trails 4
20. intensively developed environment 21. service provision 22. access points for public or private transport 23. resting places Step by Step to Leading Quality Trails Best of Europe The process: An interested region contacts the ERA to start the quality process. The ERA offers a 2-day session to train the local representatives. The trained persons gather the data necessary for the quality assessment on the trails When the route fulfils the Quality route criteria, an application for certification can be applied for. The data gathered on the route are controlled by the ERA. Qualified ERA personnel carry out spot checks on the route locally. When the results of the checks are positive, the route gets the certification Leading Quality Trails for the period of 3 years. After this time, the quality of the route has to be tested again. The quality mark can be used in printed matter and on the internet to market the walking route. Results 2012: Introduced at the biggest European Tourist Fair in Berlin 2012: Lechweg in Austria/German certified 2012: Escarpadenne in Belgium/Luxemburg certified 2013: Kullaleden in Sweden certified 2014: Müllerthal Trail in Luxemburg Moselsteig, Veldenzwanderweg and Zeugenbergrunde in Germany. 2014/2015: Lainsitz-Wanderweg in Czech Republic - Kammweg in Czech Republic / Germany - Naxos in Greece Donauberglandweg and Bergischer Panoramasteig in Germany 2 trails in France - 2 trails in Denmark ERA had meet a big interest from national and local tourist organisations to get their trails certified. The first results of the marketing have been measured from the Lechweg: The Lechweg-area is normally a ski-resort. They wanted to use their capacity in the other seasons too. Five travel agencies had the Lechweg in their program for 2013. July 2013 they were responsible for 4.500 beds related to the trail. On top of that comes many individual walkers. Lis Nielsen President ERA-EWV-FERP European Ramblers Association www.era-ewv-ferp.com www.leading-quality-trail.eu info@leading-quality-trail.eu Green Flag Trails 5