Monitoring

In almost all hiking areas in our region we installed pressure sensitive slabs and sensors to count the number of hikers so we can monitor which areas are most popular, which routes are preferred, and at what times of the year, week or day most people go for a walk. This makes it possible, for example, to promote the lesser-used routes through targeted communication in order to spread the pressure on the area which is even more important during the COVID19-pandemic. The monitoring system also showed that the number of hikers during lockdown - increased by an average of 28-42%. This shows that it is important to have attractive areas close to home where people can go hiking.

Moreover you can check if hikers comply with the temporary ban on using certain paths during the breeding period of disturbance-sensitive birds. Economic figures are important leverages in discussions with policymakers to make them aware of the importance of attractive and accessible nature for the (local) economy. In addition to counting hikers, recreational cyclists and horsemen are counted in our region.

A survey conducted in 2017-2018 among ± 4000 hikers showed that 98% of the surveyed hikers are satisfied with the offer and quality of the infrastructure, that a majority visit the region because of the attractive landscapes, nature and biodiversity. We know that approx. 2.196.237 hikers visit the region annually and generate approx. 43 million Euros income for the local economy.