Introduction - Tourism and Trails: Cultural, Ecological and Management Issues - page 4

historical linear transport or travel function. A route, on the other hand, is
generally more abstract and often based on a modern-day conceptualization
and designation of a circuit or course that links similar natural or cultural
features together into a thematic linear corridor. Scenic routes, or scenic
roads, have become more important since the 1980s. These are designated
roads and highways that pass through picturesque natural and cultural areas
that would be of high aesthetic value to passersby (Schill & Schill, 1997).
Scenic routes often follow natural features such as mountain ranges or coast-
lines and can invoke awe or nationalist sentiments as they focus on national
symbolisms and national identity (Faggetter, 2001).
There is a wide range of definitions of the term 'trail', depending on
which agency or individual is defining it and for what purpose (Jensen &
Guthrie, 2006; Moore & Ross, 1998; Moore & Shafer, 2001). Most outdoor
recreation-oriented definitions emphasize corridors in protected areas and
other natural or cultural settings meant for foot, bicycle or horse traffic;
these definitions often exclude motorized vehicle access and use, although
there are many recreational trails that are specifically devoted to motorcycles
and other off-road vehicles. The definition of trails used in this topic is some-
what broader and includes all natural or human-made linear corridors in
rural or urban areas designated as trails, paths or routes for the use of recre-
ationists, tourists or travelers regardless of their mode of transportation.
Thus, our description involves multiple scales and goes beyond purely a natu-
ral area definition to include cultural areas, cities, the countryside and other
forms of transportation besides foot or bicycle.
In the United States (US) the National Recreation and Park Association
classifies trails as greenway trails, park trails and connector trails, which link
parks to work places and schools (Moore & Shafer, 2001: 4). Moore and his
colleagues (see Moore & Driver, 2005; Moore & Ross, 1998; Moore & Shafer,
2001) provide a comprehensive overview of several types of linear resources,
although their examination focuses overwhelmingly on outdoor nature trails
and is not comprehensive from a tourism and cultural heritage perspective.
As well, these classifications tend to be quite Americocentric and do not deal
directly with issues of scale, resource utilization or the nuances of demand.
Nonetheless, theirs is a useful starting point in understanding the wide vari-
ety of trails that are used by tourists and recreationists. Their typology,
which includes traditional backcountry trails, recreational greenway trails,
multi-use trails, water trails, and rail-trails, will be examined in much more
detail in later chapters.
At first glance the title of this topic might appear confusing to some
people, depending largely on where they live and their own exposure to
linear tourism and recreation resources, such as trails and scenic corridors.
The terms trail, path, walkway, corridor and other similar words have differ-
ent meanings in different locations. A footpath in the United Kingdom (UK),
for example, usually refers to small ways in urban or rural areas that are