Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and camping for several days. They account for 14.9 per cent of the entire
trail-walking market.
•
The 'Overnight user' spends on average two days on the trail, and covers
about 13 miles per day. They are motivated by nature, taking in the views
and getting some exercise. This group accounts for 31.6 per cent of all
users.
•
The 'Day user' tends to walk shorter distances and is more willing to stop
for picnics, or to admire the views or natural habitats. Average group sizes
are two people, although there are larger groupings attributable to this
segment.
Most respondents did not experience any major problems on the trail; they
expected to share the trail with other users and expected facilities to be sim-
ple. There was a general dislike of larger groups walking on the trail and some
concern for overall impacts on the environment by users. The association
between the walker and the trail reflects the findings of the wide walking lit-
erature and stories written on, or based on, the trail (Marshall, 1998). Chase
(2003, p6), for example, comments:
The seductive quality of such endeavours lies for many people
in the elimination of extraneous stimuli. Gone are the honking
cars horns, the sticking elevator doors, the demanding bosses.
All that's left is the Trail and the necessity of walking it.
Lessons learned
What is striking about the development of the trail (and throughout its exis-
tence) is the way in which the voluntary sector has remained committed to the
concept of a simple footpath through beautiful, diverse and protected land-
scapes. The involvement of the voluntary sector in the management of the trail
has been a hallmark of its success that could well be modelled elsewhere to
good effect. While users are divided as to the extent to which there should be
commercial development associated with the trail, the principles of sustainable
development have, to date, been applied so as to conserve what is near and to
encourage expenditure in towns and villages just off the route. There also
seems to be a very strong and lasting acceptance of the trail as a route of dis-
covery, wellbeing and retreat from the fast pace of everyday life. In an overall
appraisal of the trail, Foresta (1987, p78) concluded:
From the late 20th century perspective, the trail as an instrument
of temporary playful retreat from the pressure of contemporary
society seems as reasonable as the juxtaposition of the forested
Appalachian ridges with the busy cities of the lowlands, while
the concept of the trail as a catalyst for reform seems farfetched.
Mackaye may not have seen his entire vision unfold, but the Appalachian Trail
has certainly become synonymous with slow travel in the walking world.
