Planning and Developing Trails and Routes - Tourism and Trails: Cultural, Ecological and Management Issues - page 197

cultural resources, and educational and enjoyable experiences for users. Many
books and manuals have been published to assist non-profit agencies, public
lands managers and private organizations in designing and constructing
walkways, footpaths, trails and routes (e.g. Albrecht, 1996; Ashbaugh &
Kordish, 1971; Baud-Bovy & Lawson, 1998; Bell, 2008; Binks et al. , 1978;
Briganti & Hoel, 1994; Countryside Commission, 1990; Federal Highway
Administration, 1997, 2005; Flink et al. , 2001; Foti et al. , 2006; Kirschbaum
et al. , 1999; Morris, 1972; Rathke & Baughman, 1994). These have been care-
fully written with detailed design instructions related to path location,
width, gradient, servicescapes and surface material. Given the availability of
this information, this section does not attempt to provide detailed design
and construction directions. Rather, it highlights some of the more pertinent
issues facing route planners today as regards design and physical develop-
ment of linear recreation and tourism corridors.
Location
When trails are purpose-built, location is vital, and the exact locality of
the route must be identified (Nowers et al. , 2002). When a trail is placed in
close proximity to parks or other attractions, it is more likely to be utilized
by a wider range of consumers (Settina & Kauffman, 2001). The same can be
said of their connections with other important transportation links, such as
railway stations or roads (Watkins, 1984). Rural bikeways have a better
chance of succeeding if they are connected to, or near, larger centers of trans-
portation such as train depots, bus stations or highways. By the same token,
though, walking, hiking and commuter trails should be protected, and sepa-
rated, from traffic and have interesting surroundings, including greenery
(Baud-Bovy & Lawson, 1998; Fiala, 1999).
Trail location is also key in avoiding the most sensitive eco-zones, such
as bird nesting areas or the most susceptible vegetation (Baud-Bovy &
Lawson, 1998; Farrell & Marion, 2001; Price, 1983). Paths can be directed
away from these places but kept within a reasonable distance to allow sight-
seers to enjoy wildlife habitats or unique plant species.
Where possible, interpretive trails should pass through a variety of land-
scapes and exude a diversity of sensory stimuli. Gustke and Hodgson (1980)
found that the more monotonous a trail is in terms of its landscape variance
and aesthetic variety, the less enjoyment it emanates and the less its users
will learn. 'Sensory experience of the environment is characterized by
periods of sameness punctuated by abrupt differences . . . aesthetic pleasure
is triggered principally where there is an important discontinuity in the envi-
ronment such as where the trail leaves a meadow and enters a wood' (Gustke
& Hodgson, 1980: 54).
Scenic byways use existing roads and highways, and they often pass
through many kilometers of landforms, land uses and land ownerships. This