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Introduction

Hiking continues to grow in popularity across Australia. It has minimal start-up costs for participants and caters for a range of abilities. Hiking includes a range of activities such as short-day walks, overnight bushwalks or trail running marathons.

The WA Hiking Strategy 2020-20301 identified the need to maximise participation outcomes, grow the visitor economy, facilitate sustainable trail development and maintenance and deliver effective governance and advocacy. Achieving this will ensure the delivery of high quality and consistent trail experiences across the State.

In 2019, the Trails Development Series 2 was published to provide best practice guidance on the Trail Development Process, community consultation, multicriteria decision analysis, partnerships, funding, trail models and signage.

The series includes checklists and templates to assist with planning and evaluation of the various stages of trail projects.

A suite of activity specific trail guidelines for the range of trail related activities will complement the series.

In 2019, the Western Australian Mountain Bike Management Guidelines 3 was launched as the first set of activity specific guidelines.

These WA Hiking Trail Management Guidelines should be read in conjunction with the Trails Development Series.

1.1 Vision and objectives

Hiking trails across WA are sustainably designed and developed for the right users, in the right areas, for the right reasons.

High quality trails will enhance awareness and protection of cultural, natural and heritage values, underpinned by strong partnerships and community ownership.

The objectives are to:

  • provide an understanding of various styles of hiking and the differing user types and their needs
  • support trail development using principles of sustainable planning, design and construction techniques
  • provide a consistent approach to hiking trail classifications, development, maintenance and management across WA
  • ensure consistent use of the Trail Development Process for all trails.

These guidelines will be of value to:

  • trail planners, designers, builders and maintenance teams
  • land managers and landowners
  • trail clubs, associations and ‘friends of’ groups
  • State trails and outdoor recreation bodies and organisations
  • training providers for trail design, construction and maintenance.

They aim to ensure hiking trails are developed to meet the needs of users, manage degradation  of natural and cultural values and meet high sustainability standards.

These guidelines provide general principles and advice. Every trail will be different and given  the variety of situations and locations, each trail project needs to be considered on its own merits.

Trails in WA are located on various land tenures.  Most trails however are on local government managed land or Department of Biodiversity,  Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) Parks and Wildlife Service-managed land.

Policies and information pertaining to lands managed by local governments and Parks and Wildlife Service are provided for general information.

1.2 How this fits in the Trail Development Process

These guidelines complement the Trails Development Series and provide direction on developing and managing sustainable hiking trails.

Table 1 shows how the principles and advice in these guidelines align with each stage of the Trail Development Process.

Table 1: Alignment with Trail Development Process
StageKey guidance provided in this document
1. Trail proposalUnderstanding hiking, strategic and legislative considerations and stakeholders.
2. FrameworkAgreement on trail significance, design objectives, management models, user types, required facilities and structures, walking trail classification, building standards and relevant stakeholders, partners and collaboration.
3. Site assessmentPrinciples on location of control points, facilities, trail alignment, understanding landforms, topography, habitats, soil types and landscape features, environmental and heritage values and protection.
4. Concept planPrinciples on trail design and alignment corridor, water management, structures, visitor communication, interpretation and signs.
5. Corridor evaluationConfirm location of facilities and trail alignment using control points and design elements.
6. Detailed designPrinciples on design and building methodology and standards, protection of natural features and restrictions, water management, disturbance footprint and structures.
7. ConstructionPrinciples for developing construction techniques, standards and construction ready plans and specifications, trail sign plans and standards.
8. ManagementPrinciples on governance, business models, trail management plans, events, design and building for sustainability.

Notes

  1. Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC), WA Hiking Strategy 2020-2030, 2020
  2. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) and the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC), Trails Development Series, 2019
  3. DBCA, DLGSC and WestCycle, Western Australian Mountain Bike Management Guidelines, 2019.
Page reviewed 03 September 2024
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