5-3-2025
Wild Forest Tourism: A sustainable approach to hiking and nature conservation
The Wild Forest Tourism project is a collaborative Interreg Central Europe initiative to develop sustainable tourism in some of Europe’s most pristine wild forests. This project brings together seven partner organizations from five countries — Austria, Germany, Romania, Slovenia, and Sweden — focusing on four pilot regions:
- Gesäuse National Park, Austria
- Black Forest, Germany
- Southern Carpathians, Romania
- Kočevje, Slovenia
Project goals
The project seeks to balance the economic benefits of tourism with biodiversity conservation and community engagement. Key objectives include:
✅ Creating sustainable hiking experiences that respect fragile ecosystems.
✅ Developing a common strategy for wild forest tourism across regions.
✅ Enhancing visitor education on biodiversity and conservation.
✅ Strengthening local economies by promoting responsible tourism.
✅ Leveraging digital tools to enhance the visitor experience.
ERA’s role
As an associated partner, the European Ramblers Association (ERA) will contribute to:
- Trail development & quality standards – Ensuring high-quality, sustainable hiking experiences.
- Knowledge sharing – Promoting best practices in cross-border trail management.
- Communication & promotion – Engaging ERA’s network to raise awareness about wild forest tourism.
Current status
The project application was submitted in December 2024 and has successfully passed the formal and administrative compliance check. It is now undergoing a financial capacity assessment, with final funding decisions expected in 2025.
Why this matters for hikers
This project will help integrate wild forest areas into Europe’s hiking network, offering new opportunities for eco-friendly hiking adventures while ensuring these landscapes are preserved for future generations.
Stay tuned for updates as ERA continues to support sustainable and high-quality hiking tourism across Europe!
➡️ Learn more about ERA’s role in sustainable hiking: Link