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The network of hiking and biking trails in Transylvanian Highlands
Published on 06 May 2020
Romania
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
Transylvanian Highlands Destination is one of the main attractions in Romania famous for the High Nature Value areas and the villages with fortified churches (a unique phenomenon in Europe).
Despite this natural and cultural richness, the ecotourism infrastructure still needs many developments (no activities were registered until 90’s). Before 2012 the only way to visit a fortified church was the main asphalt roads (by car).
On the other hand, the villages of Transylvanian Highlands (TH) are connected across the hills and valleys with an extensive network of trails used by locals but unavailable on official maps and without any kind of marking system.
Since 2013, two NGOs have been implementing different projects in order to create the infrastructure for hiking and biking :
Adept Foundation –approx. 100 km of biking trails with stones pavement;
Mioritics Association –approx. 500 km of biking and hiking trails by marking existing trails used by locals and setting up 150 information panels.
Nowadays these two initiatives are supervised by the Tourism Board of TH and Mioritics is in charge of the coordination.
Since 2015 when the first trails were opened for public use, there is a relevant increase every year in biking and hiking activities. The main beneficiaries are the active travellers which found an interesting destination to spend at least 2-3 days and the local entrepreneurs which offer the related services (accommodation, equipment, guidance, local products).
Despite this natural and cultural richness, the ecotourism infrastructure still needs many developments (no activities were registered until 90’s). Before 2012 the only way to visit a fortified church was the main asphalt roads (by car).
On the other hand, the villages of Transylvanian Highlands (TH) are connected across the hills and valleys with an extensive network of trails used by locals but unavailable on official maps and without any kind of marking system.
Since 2013, two NGOs have been implementing different projects in order to create the infrastructure for hiking and biking :
Adept Foundation –approx. 100 km of biking trails with stones pavement;
Mioritics Association –approx. 500 km of biking and hiking trails by marking existing trails used by locals and setting up 150 information panels.
Nowadays these two initiatives are supervised by the Tourism Board of TH and Mioritics is in charge of the coordination.
Since 2015 when the first trails were opened for public use, there is a relevant increase every year in biking and hiking activities. The main beneficiaries are the active travellers which found an interesting destination to spend at least 2-3 days and the local entrepreneurs which offer the related services (accommodation, equipment, guidance, local products).
Resources needed
To set up the trails Mioritics Association invested around 50,000 Euro and involved 8 persons and Adept Foundation invested around 200,000 Euro and involved 6 persons.
The maintenance and small improvements require around 10,000 Euros each year and require minimum 3 persons involved.
The maintenance and small improvements require around 10,000 Euros each year and require minimum 3 persons involved.
Evidence of success
The number of travellers coming to spend their holiday for biking / hiking has been increasing (from almost zero before 2015, 5% in 2017 and 26% in 2019). We based our evaluation on field observations, local entrepreneurs’ feedback (e.g. 76% of the guesthouses reported that 25-50% of their clients are using the trails) and the 2 main events (TBT –1500 participants, MBM –500).
The destination visibility is also increasing: each year we count more than 50 media articles and 300 social media post.
The destination visibility is also increasing: each year we count more than 50 media articles and 300 social media post.
Potential for learning or transfer
This practice does not require large funding resources, but it is vital for sustainable tourism development in any region with a natural and/or cultural potential. When this kind of basic infrastructure is missing, usually it is a lack of public authorities’ involvement or a missing coordination among private entities. This can be the case in many regions / destinations around the world.
The practice proves that this can be a subject to gather different actors at the local and regional level (even if they didn’t work together before) and the benefits will spread around the destination creating more opportunities for development.
The entire practice can be multiplied: design, marking, information panels, materials & app, maintenance & coordination.
The local actors’ involvement will ensure the sustainability of this practice. The maintenance doesn’t require so much financial resources if the involvement is based on a responsible network of local partners.
The practice proves that this can be a subject to gather different actors at the local and regional level (even if they didn’t work together before) and the benefits will spread around the destination creating more opportunities for development.
The entire practice can be multiplied: design, marking, information panels, materials & app, maintenance & coordination.
The local actors’ involvement will ensure the sustainability of this practice. The maintenance doesn’t require so much financial resources if the involvement is based on a responsible network of local partners.
Further information
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Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
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Romania
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