ERA have participated in the Erasmus Plus project under the European Union’s Erasmus program, focusing on improving the governance of climbing and mountaineering in Europe. The project is divided into three working groups: huts, trails, and rock climbing areas. ERA led the subproject on Trails, aiming to visualize the European trail network, create trail management recommendations, define trail types and difficulties, emphasize trails’ importance for tourism, health, and nature protection, and guarantee responsible free access to mountains. The project seeks sustainable financing for future trail maintenance.
For more details, you can visit the EUMA project page.
Below you may find summaries of the publications and documents from the project:
The Erasmus+ project “EUMA – Improvement of Good Governance of Climbing and Mountaineering in Europe” aims to enhance the governance of climbing and mountaineering activities in Europe. Led by the European Union of Mountaineering Associations (EUMA), the project involves comprehensive data collection on huts, trails, and climbing areas.
Key objectives include:
- Developing a mountain hut database and a quality label for huts.
- Visualizing the European trail network, managing trails, and ensuring free and responsible access to mountains.
- Creating a “database of databases” for rock climbing areas to promote best practices and free access while adhering to climbing ethics.
The project emphasizes sustainability, safety, and the importance of mountaineering infrastructure for tourism, health, and environmental protection. It involves collaboration with various stakeholders and seeks sustainable financing for future maintenance. EUMA, along with partner associations, aims to influence EU policies and secure funding to support these initiatives.
For detailed information, you can access the full document here.
Summary of the Erasmus+ Project – Mountain Trails Analysis
The Erasmus+ project “EUMA – Improvement of Good Governance of Climbing and Mountaineering in Europe,” led by the European Union of Mountaineering Associations (EUMA) with support from the European Ramblers Association (ERA), focuses on the management and governance of mountain trails across Europe. This project aims to create standardized guidelines for trail design, marking, and maintenance to ensure safety, accessibility, and sustainability. The project is divided into three phases: Initial (analyzing current trail situations), Strategy (developing policies and plans), and Implementation (disseminating and applying strategies).
Key points include:
- Vision and Standards: Establishing a unified vision for European trails that prioritizes foot traffic, environmental protection, and sustainable development in line with the European Green Deal and Sustainable Development Goals.
- Survey and Data Collection: Collecting comprehensive data from 37 member organizations across 30 countries to assess the current state of trails, including trail types, usage, maintenance, and legal frameworks.
- Trail Management: Emphasizing the importance of clear marking systems, regular maintenance, and the involvement of local communities and volunteers in trail upkeep.
- Funding and Legal Aspects: Exploring funding sources for trail maintenance, addressing legal liabilities, and ensuring trails are recognized as vital infrastructure for tourism and community well-being.
This project highlights the collaborative efforts needed to maintain and enhance Europe’s extensive network of mountain trails, promoting responsible use and sustainable tourism.
For more details, please refer to the full document here.
Summary of the Erasmus+ Project – Responsible Use of Trails
The Erasmus+ project “EUMA – Improvement of Good Governance of Climbing and Mountaineering in Europe” includes guidelines for the responsible use of trails. These guidelines emphasize preparation, using marked trails, waste management, respecting nature, and ensuring personal and trail safety. Key points are:
- Preparation: Check maps, trail conditions, weather, and daylight.
- Trail Use: Stick to properly marked trails.
- Waste Management: Carry out all waste.
- Nature Respect: Protect flora and fauna.
- Trail Safety: Walk in the middle of the trail and avoid shortcuts.
- Damage Reporting: Report trail damage.
- Respect for Landowners: Remember you are a guest.
- Prohibition of Personal Marks: No graffiti or carvings.
- Camping: Camp only where permitted.
These guidelines ensure safe, sustainable, and respectful trail use, preserving the environment and fostering positive relationships with landowners.
For more details, you can access the full document here.
Summary of the Erasmus+ Project – Trail Maintenance
The Erasmus+ project “EUMA – Improvement of Good Governance of Climbing and Mountaineering in Europe” includes comprehensive guidelines for trail maintenance, focusing on organizational processes, legislative principles, and budgeting for both ordinary and extraordinary maintenance. Key aspects are:
- Maintenance Types: Differentiating ordinary maintenance (clearing paths, renewing markers) from extraordinary maintenance (restoring trail viability, replacing infrastructure).
- Organizational Roles: Defining roles such as Central Maintenance Manager, Area Maintenance Managers, and Territorial Contacts to streamline tasks.
- Budgeting and Costs: Establishing cost indicators for maintenance activities, including effort, travel, and material costs, to aid in accurate budget requests.
- Legislative Principles: Advocating for legal frameworks that support free access to natural habitats, regulate trail design and maintenance, and ensure safety.
The document from the ERASMUS+ project “EUMA – improvement of good governance of climbing and mountaineering in Europe” on trail maintenance provides a comprehensive analysis of trail maintenance activities and their associated costs. Here are the key points related to the cost of trails maintenance:
Types of Maintenance:
1. Ordinary Maintenance: Routine activities such as clearing pathways, renewing trail markers, and minor repairs using simple tools.
2. Extraordinary Maintenance: Major restoration work involving specific tools/machinery and addressing significant damages or improvements.
Cost Components
The document outlines various cost components associated with trail maintenance, categorized under different activities and roles involved:
1. Effort Cost: Calculated based on the number of hours worked and the hourly wage rate. Example provided: 15 hours of work at €25/hour results in €375.
2. Travel Cost: Reimbursement for transportation, typically calculated per kilometer. Example provided: 100 km round trip at €0.35/km results in €35.
3. Accommodation Cost: Expenses for food and lodging when maintenance activities require an overnight stay. Example provided: €8 for a packed lunch and €45 for half-board accommodation results in €53.
Total Activity Cost:
The sum of effort cost, travel cost, and accommodation cost gives the total cost of an activity. For example:
– Effort Cost: €375
– Travel Cost: €35
– Accommodation Cost: €53
– Total Activity Cost: €463
Cost per Kilometer:
The document suggests calculating a partial cost per kilometer by dividing the total activity cost by the trail length. For example, a 35 km trail with a total activity cost of €463 results in a cost per km of €13.22, rounded to €14.
Budgeting:
– The total cost for maintaining a trail network is estimated by multiplying the cost per kilometer by the total trail length.
– Separate budget items are suggested for tools, consumables, and signs, as these costs can vary significantly based on the specific needs of each trail.
Administrative and Support Costs:
– Costs for administrative and accounting support activities are also considered, using the same principles of effort, travel, and accommodation costs.
– A Total Cost per km metric is derived by summing all total activity costs and dividing by the total trail length maintained, facilitating budget requests and economic impact assessments for trail extensions.
Documentation and Reporting:
Several types of reports and documents are required for effective trail maintenance management:
1. Technical Data Sheets: Detail each trail’s specifics, including length, difficulty, signs, and assigned maintenance teams.
2. Work Reports: Document the hours worked, travel expenses, and maintenance activities performed.
3. Periodic Progress Reports: Summarize the status of maintenance activities and financial expenditures.
4. Budget Request Documents: Prepared based on the accumulated cost data to request funding for the following year.
Recommendations for Cost Management:
– Use metrics and rationales to estimate and plan maintenance activities accurately.
– Maintain detailed records of all expenses to support budget requests.
– Separate material costs from general maintenance costs to ensure precise budgeting.
The document emphasizes the importance of a structured approach to managing trail maintenance costs, ensuring transparency and accountability in the allocation of funds. By implementing the suggested metrics and documentation processes, organizations can effectively plan, execute, and budget for both ordinary and extraordinary trail maintenance activities.
For detailed information, you can access the full document here.
Summary of the Erasmus+ Project – Walking, Hiking, and Mountain Trails Recommendations
The Erasmus+ project, led by EUMA and ERA, outlines essential recommendations for walking, hiking, and mountain trails in Europe to ensure accessibility, safety, and sustainability. Key recommendations include:
- Public Interest: Trails should serve walking, hiking, running, and climbing.
- Free Access: Ensure responsible access with necessary safety and environmental restrictions.
- Visibility and Marking: Trails must be clearly marked and signposted.
- Prioritization: Foot traffic should have priority unless otherwise specified.
- Public Transport: Connect trails to public transport where possible.
- Road Usage: Limit sealed road usage to under 20%.
- Trail Use Permissions: Require permissions for other organizations to use trails.
- Government Roles: Define trail keepers, arrange funding, and promote trail importance and user responsibility.
- National Institutions: Align trails with legislation, maintain databases, and organize expert meetings.
- Trail Keepers: Inspect and maintain trails annually, and promote user responsibility.
These recommendations aim to balance recreational use with environmental protection, ensuring sustainable and enjoyable trail experiences across Europe.
For detailed information, you can access the full document here.