Abstract ID: 3.8120 | Accepted as Talk | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA

As outdoor recreation grows in popularity, lowland and low-mountain trails are facing increased pressure from overuse, user conflicts, and environmental degradation. Unlike remote alpine routes, these trails are often located in accessible areas, attracting large numbers of hikers, cyclists, horseback riders, and other outdoor enthusiasts. Without proper management, trail overcrowding can lead to erosion, habitat destruction, and tensions between different user groups. This session will present ERA’s strategies for sustainable trail management, focusing on visitor distribution, multi-user cooperation, and trail certification improvements. It will introduce ERA’s ideas on Trail Overcrowding Assessment Tool, designed to help managers determine a trail’s carrying capacity and implement zoning strategies. The presentation will also highlight the ideas on Multi-Trail-User Forum, which brings together hikers, bikers, and other outdoor stakeholders to develop fair and sustainable solutions for shared trail use. Additionally, the session will explore how technology — including real-time trail data, digital trail apps, and interactive signage — can help distribute visitor flows and prevent environmental damage. Attendees will learn how national parks, nature reserves, and rural hiking areas can apply sustainable management techniques to maintain accessibility while protecting landscapes. Key takeaways: • Understand the growing challenge of trail overcrowding and how it impacts lowland and low-mountain regions. • Learn about ERA’s ideas on Trail Overcrowding Assessment Tool and how it can help measure and manage trail use. • Discover how multi-user cooperation can reduce conflicts between hikers, bikers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. • Explore how digital trail management solutions can help distribute visitor flow sustainably.