Cultural Routes and Heritage Trails - Tourism and Trails: Cultural, Ecological and Management Issues - page 44

Figure 2.8 Paths at the archaeological site of Tulum, Mexico
access for people with physical disabilities and provide vistas and photo
opportunities at various points on the property (Timothy & Boyd, 2003).
Maritime routes
Some maritime routes can only be traversed by sea or air, if at all, and are
by definition widespread and distant. These more commonly represent the
organic trails discussed earlier in the chapter, such as the proposed Route of
the Bounty and the South Pacific Whaling Route (Rice, 2001), because they
represent original hunting or migratory courses. More common are planned
land-based maritime trails that follow coastal areas and encompass loca-
tions, sites and activities of a nautical heritage nature. The Maine Maritime
Heritage Trail is one example of a marine way that connects oceanic trade
and commerce, archaeological sites, forts, islands, fisheries, lighthouses,
naval yards, historic homes, museums, ports and shipbuilding yards (Paine,
2001). This road follows the north-eastern coast of the US in the state of
Maine and provides trail followers a unique glimpse into the seafaring heri-
tage of North America.
Urban heritage trails
Cities and towns throughout the world are home to a wide range of
heritage-focused walking trails. Many of them may also involve driving or
public transportation when they include points at considerable distances
from one another. Cultural trails are a very important consideration in urban
recreation and spatial planning. Not only do they have the ability to help in
place-making exercises (Markwell et al. , 2004), they also have significant
implications for transportation and traffic flow, infrastructure development,