Abstract
Trails are significant features in landscapes, and many ancient pathways have developed into routes of great importance for recreation and tourism in contemporary societies. Nevertheless, international research on recreational trails has hitherto mainly focused on managerial and environmental aspects of trails and less on trails from a social science perspective, such as conflict management. This study explores the role of recreational trails as a potential tool for managing conflicts in a multifunctional landscape. The findings originate from a case study of the southern Jämtland mountain region in Sweden, an area where land-use conflicts exist and where tourism is a major concern. The study examines the recreational trail as an applied example where actors in the mountain landscape “negotiate” and collaborate. Through the recreational trail, dialogue and discussions are made possible among stakeholders. Findings show that trails can function as facilitators for communication and can thus enhance the possibilities of building trust and promoting collaboration between actors. This research contributes to the existing literature on handling multiple land-use interests and adds to previous knowledge by taking on a rather new approach, where the recreational trail becomes a facilitator for communication.
Highlights
Many ancient pathways, some of great importance historically, have developed into significant routes for recreation and tourism in contemporary society [1]
There were multiple complaints about how authorities did not take responsibility or how interest groups did not seriously listen to other needs, as well as a gap in trust between different groups. It was clear from the interviews in the first phase of the project, where there were no specific questions about trails and conflicts, that wear and degradation are significant sources of conflict
Many respondents mentioned that degradation of the environment could be linked to trails—or the lack of trails—including trails used for different purposes such as walking, biking, skiing, riding, running, and snowmobiles
Summary
Some of great importance historically, have developed into significant routes for recreation and tourism in contemporary society [1]. We take as the starting point in this study that the existence of trails can affect interactions between groups that use the same landscape for different purposes or that use it in different ways with different intentions. By following the notion that trails can have an impact on land-use stakeholder groups, the central purpose of this study is to explore the role of trails from two central perspectives: creating conflicts and reducing, preventing, and perhaps even solving conflicts. We build on the suggestion posed by MacLeod [3] that well-planned and well-developed trails can contribute to a socially, economically, and environmentally responsible tourism product, which can play a crucial role in managing resources
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