Public recreational access in the countryside: Concepts and measures of physical rigour

Abstract

Public recreational movement within the countryside is conceptualized in terms of physical and legal barriers, and by specifying five levels of access rigour. The conceptual scheme is designed to have applicability in a broad spectrum of environmental and cultural settings, but is presented with reference to Europe and North America. Specific measures of access availability are then developed, related to recreationists within the five rigour groups. The measures are intended to allow rapid evaluation of extensive study areas, and therefore employ evidence from topographic maps. In general, passive or car-restricted access is available only within 100 m of all-weather roads, and casual access is provided by tracks and footpaths within 3 km of roadheads. Vigorous access occurs on paths beyond this 3 km point, while rugged access occurs along waterways or off the beaten track. Beyond 3 km from footpaths or waterways, or in very ill-favoured terrain, access is considered to be arduous. The applicability and potential use of the access measures is demonstrated using four Canadian study areas, including a national park. Access availability for these areas is compared using both ‘access profiles’ and access maps. The paper concludes with a discussion of the scheme's value for inventory, for assessment of the adequacy and equity of access, and for international and regional comparison.