Abstract ID: 3.13357 | Accepted as Talk | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA

Nature-based tourism, including hiking, has gained global popularity, yet the technological infrastructure supporting hikers and tourism stakeholders remains fragmented and underdeveloped. Additionally, outdoor activities often fail to facilitate deeper engagement with local economies, heritage, or ecosystems. This study addresses these gaps by proposing an integrated framework, based on international standards, for storing and accessing geographic data on trails. This framework has been used to support diverse applications for trail management and user engagement, with a focus on Portugal. To demonstrate the framework’s potential, we developed “Tell-me a Trail,” a mobile application designed to enhance the hiking experience through interactive multimedia narratives. The application was tested on the “Veredas do Vale do Beijame Selvagem” trail in Serra da Estrela, Portugal’s highest mountain range. This trail was selected because Beijames Valley is one of the most interesting alluvial valleys in the Serra da Estrela, due to its unique geomorphology (geological contact zone between shale and granite), with very limited human intervention, where a traditional mountain agriculture is still in full development. It features a botanical reserve of Quercus Rotundifolia, among other specific characteristics, that supports forest conservation, local economies, and community well-being. The narratives embedded in the app focus on themes such as mountain economies and activities, which are critical for regional conservation. By leveraging mobile technology, the app delivers context-aware storytelling, notifying hikers of relevant elements during their journey. For example, the description of relevant points of interest about recent wildfires highlight how the cultivation of endemic tree species helped contain the spread of fire, fostering a deeper connection between hikers and the mountain environment. This approach not only enriches the hiking experience but also promotes awareness of local heritage and ecosystems. Future work includes expanding the platform to support hikers with disabilities and adapting trails to improve accessibility for users with special needs. By integrating technology with nature-based tourism, this study contributes to sustainable tourism practices, offering a model for improving visitor engagement while supporting local economies and conservation efforts.