Outdoor Infrastructure Management in Sweden
The infrastructure for outdoor recreation is managed in varying ways in Sweden and is often provided by municipalities and non-profit organizations. It is not uncommon for hiking trails, for example, to be developed within project frameworks, only to later lack sustainable management that focuses on the hiker or visitor.
One challenge with longer trails that pass through many municipalities is maintaining a consistently high and cohesive quality over time.
At the same time, hiking and cycling play an increasingly important role in the tourism industry. However, many visitors expect to find well-maintained trails with clear signage and guidance. To make marketing hiking and cycling in West Sweden meaningful, good infrastructure on and around the trails, along with relevant digital base information, is essential.
In the Västra Götaland Region, there is an extensive network of longer hiking trails that pass through many municipalities. The region has allocated funds to develop a system of sustainable and high-quality trails throughout the region, based on these existing trails, for both recreation and tourism.
Västkuststiftelsen's Role
As part of this initiative, Västkuststiftelsen assists and supports municipalities and associations in several ways, both in terms of physical measures and organizing the work within the municipalities. The mission also includes developing new websites for the trails where needed.
In trail development, Västkuststiftelsen collaborates with Turistrådet Västsverige, the Cultural Administration, and the County Administrative Board, each contributing their respective expertise.
As part of the trail development work and Västkuststiftelsen's coordinating role, new quality criteria, signage programs, maintenance instructions, templates for landowner agreements, and inspection templates have been developed. These standard documents align with the materials produced under the National Framework for Hiking Trails.
Initially, trail development was conducted as a project but is now a permanent part of Västkuststiftelsen's operations.
The History of Västkuststiftelsen’s Trail Development
Project Support from Tillväxtverket and the Rural Development Program
Västkuststiftelsen's work with high-quality, longer regional trails received project support in 2022 from Tillväxtverket (the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth) and the Rural Development Program.
The project included activities and investments such as installing entrance signs, introducing new toilets, shelters, fire pits, footbridges, trail markings, and clearing and marking trail sections on Bohusleden, Kuststigen, Biosfärleden, Pilgrimsleder, and Sjuhäradsleden.
Between 2021 and 2024, Tillväxtverket supported infrastructure development for recreation and tourism in rural areas. The purpose of this support was to create opportunities for public recreation based on rural resources and to improve tourism opportunities.
The support prioritized the development of destinations within nature and cultural tourism, with a specific focus on trails, with the following motivation:
"Tillväxtverket assesses that your application falls within the 2014–2020 Rural Development Program and has prioritized it in accordance with national selection criteria based on the program's goals and Tillväxtverket's action plan for the program."
Activities/Investments by Trail:
- Bohusleden – Introduction of new toilets, fire pits, shelters, and footbridges, along with trail markings.
- Kuststigen – Installation of fire pits, shelters, footbridges, as well as clearing and marking of trail sections.
- Biosfärleden – Trail marking.
- Pilgrimsleder – Installation of entrance signs, toilets, directional markers, trail markings, shelters, benches, footbridges, information signs, picnic tables, and self-closing gates.
- Sjuhäradsleden – Trail marking.
Funding comes from the EU's Rural Development Program through Tillväxtverket, which manages this support.