Nature Trails and Mixed Routes - Tourism and Trails: Cultural, Ecological and Management Issues - page 63

Trails are also instrumental in helping to protect the environment by
providing alternative means of transportation. As subsequent chapters will
emphasize, nature trails in suburban and exurban areas are often used as
transportation routes for work and school commutes. They provide inexpen-
sive and ecologically friendly alternatives to road-based transportation, and
many users note that this is a large part of why they commute using bicycle
or pedestrian trails (Lesens, 1990; Shafer et al. , 2000; Weston & Mota, 2012).
Health is another reason for nature trails and their growing popularity
(Bowick, 2003; VanBlarcom & Janmaat, 2013). Some outdoor trails are
designed and implemented specifically with health and wellness as their
main objective. 'Barefoot trails' have developed in the past 20 years as
healthy, natural venues for exercise and sensual stimulation. These are
increasingly popular in Europe for their ostensible ability to stimulate the
senses and manipulate pedal pressure points for health and wellness. These
and other fitness trails are often located in cities, largely in greenways and
other park-like environments, but many are located in nature surroundings
that contribute to the fitness ambience. The US Department of Health and
Human Services originated the Trails for Health program, which encourages
Americans to become more physically active and appreciate the walking
trails in their communities and nearby rural areas (Dolesh, 2004a). According
to a study by Wang et al. (2004a, 2004b), trail use can reduce health care costs
considerably for states and cities by improving overall health conditions of
their populations. Their study showed that for each dollar spent on trails for
physical activity, approximately three dollars were saved in health care.
There are other non-health-related economic benefits, but these will be
examined later in the topic.
Ecotrails and other outdoor paths are a critical recreation resource and
point of community pride. They provide opportunities for family and friends
to spend quality time together in natural surroundings. As well, they com-
memorate an area's natural heritage and in so doing they become important
tools for developing community solidarity and sense of place.
Types of nature trails
In common with cultural routes, there are numerous types and manifes-
tations of environmental trails. In the strictest sense of the word 'nature',
few nature trails exist. Many nature trails are found in urban greenbelts or
through suburban estates. Many are located in city or national parks, and
even the remotest hiking paths are somehow influenced by human interven-
tion. Thus, all trails have a human/cultural element to them.
Moore and Shafer (2001) and Moore and Driver (2005) provide an over-
view of several types of recreation trails that focus primarily on natural
resources, although some have a cultural element as well. Moore and Driver's
(2005: 265) first type is the traditional backcountry trail, which is more