Trail use and perception of a diverse mountain farming landscape by hikers in the protected area Allgäuer Hochalpen in the German Alps

Abstract

This paper assesses the use and appreciation of an Alpine mountain farming landscape with their necessary management and infrastructure in the protected area Allgäuer Hochalpen. We used a method mix to analyse official and informal trail use, combining aerial photos, pictures posted on the internet, interviews with farmers and hikers as well as observations. To assess the appreciation of different landscape elements, photos posted on the internet and their description were evaluated and interviews conducted with hikers. Only about half of the interviewees are bound for longer hikes, most of them return to the gondola after hiking for one hour. Informal trails in the study area were only used by less than 0.5% mainly to reach a mountain top or to hike around the entire lake. It could be shown that panoramic views, the lake and meadows that depending on traditional mountain farming are best liked by the interviewed hikers, who perceive it as a natural landscape. They disliked traces of the necessary infrastructure and landscape management. Since informal trail use and lack of knowledge about the protection status is not an issue in the study area, the focus should be shifted more towards raising awareness and communicating the importance of mountain farming and its contribution to biodiversity and scenic attractiveness.