Trails Study Visit Slovakia

Between April 12 and 14, we were able to find out what trail maintenance and management means in Slovakia during the first study visit of our TRAILS project. Together with the Serbian delegation from MAS, we visited our Slovakian colleagues from OTI Slovakia in Nitra, with numerous hiking trails waiting for us right on our doorstep. Apart from idyllic hiking routes on the nearby Zobor, we also shared best practices for trail marking.  

The study visit started with a hike in the Tribeč Mountains together with active trail markers from the region. During these hikes, the different challenges and special features of the region were discussed. It became clear that the other countries have similar problems motivating young people to maintain trails and that solutions need to be developed together.

Focus groups then discussed the various motivations and barriers that prevent young people from spending more time in nature. In this sense, the reasons for the declining number of trail markers and the lack of newcomers in the three countries were also identified, including a general lack of motivation to spend time outdoors and volunteer, a problem that many organizations are currently struggling with.

The study visit provided a good opportunity to get to know each other personally and plan the next steps of the project. The next study visit to Austria will take place in September to provide insights into Austrian pathway management.