About the World Trails Conference 2022
The World Trails Conference is a global gathering of trail experts, trail managers and builders, trail destinations, enthusiasts and academics, who meet every two years to share knowledge, network and ensure the benefits trails offer society continue to be sustainable and supported around the world.
The conference is taking place for the 8th time since 2010, when it was first established on the Island of Jeju in Korea. This year trails will gather on the iconic Island of Skiathos, Greece.
The thematic topics of the conference are wide-ranging and all of them are pertinent to issues facing trails today, from cycle trails, to long-distance treks, from urban trails to commuter trails and pilgrimages.
Help shape trails into the future and contribute to the important role they play in health and wellbeing, adventure tourism, recreation, sports and rural livelihoods.
Trails are a call to everyone. . . and everyone is invited to attend.
Register for in-person or virtual attendance
Places are limited, secure your attendance and propose your talk or a presentation by 13 June 2022.
Important Dates to Note
Full Schedule of Events
Trail Journeys, Film Festival, Workshops, etc.
18 – 25 Sept 2022 – Pre-Conference Trail Journeys
23 – 25 September 2022 – Trail Ambassadors Gathering
26 – 29 September 2022 – 8th World Trails Conference
29 September 2022 – World Trails Film Festival Premiere
30 September 2022 – Skiathos Trail Excursions
30 Sept – 1 Oct 2022 – Workshops & Green Flag Trails Training
Next steps. . . to attend
1. Register today at Early Bird discount (valid until 1 July)
2. Pay your attendance fee to secure your place here
3. Chose your accommodation and make travel plans
Next steps. . . to be a presenter / speaker
1. Read our Presenter Guidelines
2. Draft your abstract for a great talk or topic to share on a panel
3. Submit your proposal below
Follow these steps to get to the conference
The timeline leading up to the conference is summarized below, we hope these easy to follow steps will help you plan and not miss any of the amazing opportunities we are offering all attendees.
1. Let colleagues and friends know you are attending and get them to join you!
Download tools here.
2. Review our Help & FAQ page of resources to help answer questions and get you ready to attend.
3. See the Travel and Accommodation links provided.
Details are here.
4. Apply for travel insurance and your travel visas if required. Email below if you need a visa application letter.
Contact here.
5. We offer a special presentation skills training option, facilitated by the 2021 World Champion of Public Speaking.
6. Collect your name badge and conference materials at registration, or log-in for the virtual sessions online.
Network and build global partnerships – learn from experts and share your knowledge and trail expertise.
Key themes include – best practices, sustainability, adventure tourism, urban trails, pilgrimages, nature, new trends and research.
Sustainable trails – help trails enhance their contributions to society, tourism and rural economies.
Acquire new concepts and ideas – to apply to your trail work & showcase the work of your organization.
Grow your trail success – motivate your organization or team with insights gained.
Showcase your latest trail work – gain visibility and engage with other influential and passionate delegates.
Meet experts from the world’s leading trails.
Previous attendees include:
Appalachian Trail USA, Camino de Santiago Spain, South West Coast Path UK, Sendero Pacifico Costa Rica, Rim of Africa South Africa, Cultural Routes Turkey Turkey, Westfjord Trails Iceland, Bruce Trail Canada, Trans Carioca Brazil, Bibbulmun Track Australia, Tottori Trails Japan, Great Baikal Trail Russia, and many more other well-known trails from Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
WORLD TRAILS NETWORK
The World Trails Network is a global non-profit association committed to the sustainability and enjoyment of the world’s trails for all people, through a powerfully engaged international network of organizations and individuals.
Trail Flags – Opening Ceremony
This year every trail organization attending is invited to fly their own custom-designed trail flag at the opening ceremony. Fly your flag at your trail headquarters on return home. Order your flag by 1 June 2022 here.
DATES: 26 September 2022
Islands & Trails – Special Session
We anticipate 25 different island destinations that have trails to join the conference, to learn from each other and share best practices in promoting and marketing trails on islands. Make sure your island is represented.
DATE: 26 September 2022
Conference Source Book
This special publication is an opportunity to share insights or a summary of your presentation with all attendees or to advertise your trail or trail products to a global audience. Apply here to advertise.
DATES: 26 September 2022
Trail Journeys
Our trail journeys are the perfect way to explore our host destination and build lasting connections with other trail experts. Journeys take place before the conference proceedings. Itineraries and costs to be published by 20 April 2022. Read more. . .
DATES: 18 – 25 September 2022
Trail Ambassadors Gathering
We have a dedicated team of World Trails Ambassadors – Emerging Leaders, who will gather prior to the conference from 23 – 25 September 2022. This is a unique opportunity for young people starting out in trails who wish to support trails in their region.
DATES: 23 – 25 September 2022
Trails Film Festival Premiere
The World Trails Film Festival – Trails Film is the only festival of its kind focused on telling unique trail stories, from history to adventure, from slow travel to inspirational journeys. We focus on cultural diversity. Submit your films for entry here.
DATES: 29 September 2022
Green Flag Trails Workshop
Learn about the International Green Flag Trails assessment and accreditation system that is being used to enhance the quality of trails in the host destination and other countries. This is a 2-day training workshop.
DATES: 30 Sept – 1 Oct 2022
Trails & Poster Exhibition
Trails are invited to exhibit posters and promotional materials.
For those trails staking part in the virtual programme, video and pre-recorded presentation slots are available.
DATES: 26 – 30 September 2022
Trail Excursions on Skiathos
Various local trails and adventures are offered during the conference.
Choose from a variety of short day trails in the region. There are endless activities and opportunities to explore the trail destination.
DATES: 29 September 2022
Call for speakers!
Call for speakers
Share your insights and research, your projects and enthusiasm for trails.
If you build, design, plan or market trails, volunteer, guide or lead a community trail initiative – then this global conference is the platform
where you can stay up to date with what is happening on trails around the world. It is also the forum where you can share your knowledge and expertise with others.
Submit a presentation or talk proposal. We are looking for dynamic thought-leaders, experts and equally inspiring enthusiasts with relevant insights and case studies to ignite action and networking across the trail space.
DEADLINE FOR SPEAKER & PRESENTATION PROPOSALS IS 13 JUNE 2022
Thematic streams and conference topics
Presentations will cover a broad range of intersecting subjects to tale trails into the future.
Trails today are no longer only about construction techniques and planning. Trails intersect with everything from tourism and health, to sports and spirituality. Our diverse thematic streams allow for a wide array of topics and discussions to take place, as we collectively chart trails into future.
Sustainable trails are a key necessity around the world. Learn about best practices, innovative solutions and inspiring projects. . .
and share your knowledge with a global audience.
Thematic trail topics include the following:
- Sustainability
- Trail building, planning and design
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Monitoring and maintenance
- Trail Assessments and accreditation
- Sports
- MTB and cycling trails
- Trail running and events
- Multi-use trails
- Nature
- Biodiversity and wildlife
- Nature connection and conservation
- Culture
- Pilgrimage routes, cultural routes
- Spirituality and experiences
- Technology:
- Maps and navigation
- Information apps and monitoring
- Digitizing trails
- Health
- Wellbeing, mental health
- Mainstreaming nature prescriptions
- Knowledge
- Research, insights from academia, working with trail data
- Cities
- Urban trails
- Mobility and green cities
- Finance
- Funding models, community solutions
- Memberships and fundraising
- Climate Change
- Off-sets, reducing carbon emissions
- Restoration projects
- New Trends
- New user demands and needs
- Emerging user groups
- Marketing:
- Build your trail narrative, social influencers, reach new markets
- Communities
- Volunteers, young trail ambassadors
- Inclusion, diversity, equity, education and outreach
- Media
- Storytelling, film, books and photography
- Peace
- Trails linked to peace and transboundary projects
- Tourism
- Destination marketing and tourism trails
- Trail readiness, guides and services
- Trails and Islands
- A special theme for the 2022 conference , inviting all island destinations to participate
- Workshops
- Trail assessments and monitoring, trail signage and planning
Draft conference schedule
A packed programme of events open and close the conference.
The below schedule of events is in draft form and subject to change. We expect the times and overall thematic sessions to remain, however some shifting here and there may occur. An updated and final schedule, with details of all presentations, will be published in early August 2022.
– If you are viewing on a mobile, please scroll right below –
Sign-up for Unforgettable Trail Journeys!
These journeys have been designed specifically to unlock deep networking, powerful insights and memorable experiences in small groups.
There is a diverse choice of trails with slightly different themes on offer in different regions of Greece.
Make the most of your trip to Greece by exploring its beautiful trails. These journeys are lead by members of the World Trails Network Task Teams and each journey will explore specific themes.
I have never been to a conference that had so many follow-up collaborations.
This conference is a must for trail professionals and enthusiasts alike.
I established incredibly meaningful connections.
– Rigas Zafeiriou, Attendee at the 7th World Trails Conference,
Santiago de Compostela – 2018
Registration options
When you register you can choose to participate in various ways in the conference.
Give a presentation, exhibit a poster, submit a film to the Trails Film – World Trails Film Festival, volunteer or consider becoming a member of the World Trails Network and receive conference benefits.
ATTENDANCE FEE – EARLY BIRD SPECIAL (Pay before 1 July 2022)
World Trails Network Members: CHF85.00 (Swiss Franc)
Non-Members: CHF110.00 (Swiss Franc)
After 1 July 2022 the attendance fee will be:
World Trails Network Members: CHF110.00 (Swiss Franc)
Non-Members: CHF140.00 (Swiss Franc)
FEE INCLUDES
Coffee and Teas during breaks
Welcome Reception Evening
Banquet Dinner
Closing Dinner
Film Festival Premiere
Excursions on local Skiathos trails
A host of exciting networking opportunities
VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE FEE
World Trails Network Members: Free
Non-Members: CHF35.00 (Swiss Franc)
The hospitality of the Skiathos Municipality and our sponsors in Greece and beyond, make this conference possible.
We believe the impact of the 8th World Trails Conference will be felt globally and on the ground for trails, through in-depth knowledge sharing, creative collaboration and international networking.
– Galeo Saintz, International Chair
World Trails Network
