Trails are among Europe’s oldest and most widely used forms of public infrastructure.
They connect people with nature, encourage active lifestyles, support rural economies, facilitate sustainable tourism and help manage access to protected and natural areas. Yet despite the value they generate, trails remain politically overlooked, structurally under-supported and chronically underfunded across much of Europe.
To address this gap, the ENOS Expert Group on Trails has launched the new European Trails Policy Paper – Trails as Strategic European Infrastructure.
Developed through a collaborative process involving ENOS, the European Ramblers’ Association, EUROPARC Federation, European Trails, IMBA Europe, the French Equestrian Federation and other organisations, the Paper presents a shared vision for the future of Europe’s trail networks.
Its central message is clear:
Trails must be formally recognised as essential public infrastructure and supported through coherent policies, sustainable management and long-term investment.
Why trails matter now
Europe’s trails provide benefits that extend far beyond outdoor recreation.
Well-planned and maintained trail networks contribute to a wide range of European priorities, including:
- Public health and mental well-being
- Nature conservation and restoration
- Sustainable tourism and rural development
- Climate-neutral and active mobility
- Social inclusion and access to nature
- Local economies and territorial cohesion
- Responsible visitor management
Trails can guide visitors away from sensitive habitats, support ecological monitoring and conservation work, create accessible opportunities for physical activity, connect communities and generate economic opportunities in rural areas.
However, responsibility for their management is frequently fragmented between public authorities, protected areas, outdoor organisations, landowners, NGOs and volunteers. Funding for their construction may sometimes be available, but the resources required for long-term maintenance, restoration and climate resilience remain insufficient.
The European Trails Policy Paper aims to place trails firmly on the European political agenda and ensure their social, environmental and economic value is properly recognised.
A shared policy agenda for Europe’s trails
The Paper outlines practical recommendations for European institutions, national governments, and regional and local authorities.
These include establishing a European framework for trails, securing dedicated funding for maintenance and climate adaptation, improving trail data and harmonisation, recognising trails within transport and green infrastructure policies, and strengthening cooperation between the many actors involved in their management.
At the national and regional levels, it calls for trail infrastructure to receive the same strategic attention as roads and cycle networks. It also highlights the need to support responsible access, outdoor education, volunteer systems, community participation and reinvestment in trail maintenance.
The Paper additionally addresses the growing importance of digital trail information, calling for a more coordinated European approach to transparent, responsible and interoperable trail data.
Watch the launch webinar
The Policy Paper was officially presented during the ENOS webinar “The Value and Strategic Relevance of Trails”.
The webinar brought together leading European trail organisations and experts to examine why trails should be recognised as strategic infrastructure.
Through policy analysis and practical examples, speakers explored the contribution of trails to health, nature conservation, sustainable mobility, tourism, rural development and social cohesion. They also discussed the governance and funding challenges faced by trail managers and presented the Paper’s recommendations for action at European, national, regional and local levels.
The webinar marked the beginning of a wider advocacy campaign to build a strong European coalition in support of trails.
Watch the webinar recording
Join the coalition: become a signatory
The launch of the European Trails Policy Paper is not the end of the process. It is the starting point for building a stronger and more coordinated European voice for trails.
A total of 57 organisations have already become signatories to the European Trails Policy Paper, demonstrating growing recognition across Europe of the need for a common policy agenda.
ENOS invites outdoor sports organisations, trail federations, protected areas, public authorities, tourism bodies, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to add their support.
By becoming a signatory, organisations can help demonstrate the breadth of the European trails community and strengthen the call for trails to be properly recognised, protected, funded and sustainably managed.
Help shape the future of trail governance through the ROUTES Project
Alongside this policy initiative, the Erasmus+ ROUTES Project is inviting stakeholders to contribute to a major European survey on trail governance.
ROUTES brings together leading European federations representing hiking, cycling and horse riding—including the European Ramblers’ Association, IMBA Europe, the International Federation of Equestrian Tourism and ENOS—with national and regional government agencies and sports federations.
The project aims to improve the governance, sustainability and accessibility of trail systems across Europe.
Its stakeholder survey seeks expert insights from organisations working in:
- Trail management and outdoor recreation
- Environmental protection and protected areas
- Public policy and recreational infrastructure
- Mapping services and digital platforms
- Outdoor activity provision
- National sports federations
The responses will help identify existing governance gaps and contribute to a comparative European analysis of trail management practices. The findings will inform the development of more harmonised, sustainable and inclusive frameworks at European level.
The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. Participation is voluntary, and responses will be analysed in aggregated and anonymised form.
Joining forces at Euro’Meet 2026
The European Trails Policy Paper and the ROUTES Project approach the trail debate from complementary perspectives.
While the Policy Paper establishes a common advocacy framework and presents recommendations for decision-makers, ROUTES is building the evidence and cooperation needed to improve trail governance in practice.
Both initiatives will join forces during Outdoor Sports Euro’Meet 2026, taking place in Sundsvall, Sweden, from 8 to 10 September.
The session “Joint Workshop on Trails: ROUTES Project and ENOS Expert Group on Trails – Shared Policy on Trails, Recreational Infrastructure and Access” will bring stakeholders together to examine the future of European trail policy, governance, recreational infrastructure and access.
The workshop will provide an opportunity to connect policy ambitions with practical experience, strengthen collaboration between sectors and explore how the European trails community can advance a shared agenda.
One European voice for trails
Europe’s trails connect landscapes, communities and people. They provide access to nature, support healthier lives, strengthen local economies and help protect sensitive environments through responsible visitor management.
However, these benefits cannot be taken for granted.
Europe needs a more coherent approach to how trails are recognised, planned, funded and maintained. Achieving this will require collaboration between outdoor sports organisations, public authorities, protected areas, researchers, land managers, digital platforms and local communities.
The European Trails Policy Paper, the ROUTES survey and the joint workshop at Euro’Meet 2026 represent three important steps towards that goal.
Read the Paper. Become a signatory. Complete the survey. Join the conversation at Euro’Meet 2026.
Together, we can give Europe’s trails the recognition and support they deserve.