Visitor Information
It is important that visitors to National Trails understand where they can go, and what there is to see. Long distance walkers need to find accommodation, places to eat and shops to buy provisions. Day walkers enjoying a section of trail want to know how far it is to a place of interest, and may also be interested to know where shops, cafés and pubs are. Part of being a National Trail means that this information can be provided.
Examples of good practice on existing National Trails include:
On the Cleveland Way icons are used on signs to help walkers see what services are available in local villages, distance are also provided so they know how far the walk is.- The Thames Path use icons to show what services villages offer.
- The Ridgeway include icons to help trail users know who can use sections of the trail. As an ancient road The Ridgeway is open to vehicles in places, but not in others. Including the information on signs help users ensure they only go places where they have a right to go.
- Hadrian’s Wall Path signs show where essential accommodation is located.
Visitor information is not limited to signs on the ground. It also relates to website information and social media. The National Trails work together to keep the information on the National Trail website up to date. In addition, most trails have a social media presence.
Information is also shared through face-to-face contact with trail staff, through guided walks and event such as talks. As an example, the Hadrian’s wall Path ranger gives talks on the complexities of managing a National Trail through a World Heritage Site.
You can see more examples of good practice on National Trails in the National Trails Annual Reports.