Long distance cross-border hiking trail “The Forest Trail” (Forest Trail)

Title	Long distance cross-border hiking trail “The Forest Trail”
Abbreviation	FOREST TRAIL
Project number	CB779
Programme	Central Baltic Programme 2014 – 2020

1. Latvian Country Tourism Association “Lauku Ceļotājs” (Latvia) (lead partner)
2. Nature Conservation Agency (Latvia)
3. JSC “Latvia’s State Forests” (Latvia)
4. Estonian Rural Tourism, NGO (Estonia)
5. Peipsimaa Tourism, NGO (Estonia)
6. “Setomaa Tourism”, NGO (Estonia)
7. “Okokuller”, NGO (Estonia)
8. Vidzeme Planning Region (Latvia)
9. Riga Planning Region (Latvia)
10. Pohja–Eesti Turism (Estonia) (associated partner)

Project objectives

1. To develop the region' s attractiveness to tourists, using forests as a natural resource.
2. Develop a sustainable nature tourism product with high potential to increase visitor numbers in the region.
3. Implement Forest Trail marketing activities to attract tourists.
4. Promote public health by encouraging people to take an active vacation in nature.

Activities

1. Creating a great hiking route connecting Riga and Tallinn via forest trails. This includes trail planning with the involvement of stakeholders, survey and inspection of the trail, identification of service providers along the trail, as well as trail marking and installation of information signs, stands and directions to guide tourists.
2. Forest Trail marketing activities. This includes activities to promote and inform about the new tourism product to attract tourists and raise public awareness - participation in tourism exhibitions, the production of printed and digital information materials and guides and the organization of information events.
3. Joining with European long distance hiking paths E9 and E11.

Results

1. A long distance cross-border hiking trail “The Forest Trail” created on the route: Rīga - Garkalne - Rāmkalni - Sigulda - Līgatne - Cēsis - Valmiera - Strenči - Zīle - Gaujiena - Trapene - Ape - Korneti - Haanja - Piusa - Varska - Poosi - Varnja - Kalaste - Mustve - Vasknarva - Kuremaa - Toila - Lahemaa nacionālais parks - Kaberneeme - Maardu - Tallinn.
2. The recognition of the region as an active and nature tourism destination will be promoted.

Budget

Total budget: 1 215 720.00 EUR

- ERDF thereof: 960 418.80 EUR

VPR budget: 141 375,00 EUR

- ERDF thereof: 111 686.25 EUR

Implementation period

01.04.2019 – 30.06.2021

Contacts

Maija Rieksta
Mob. tel.: +371 26099521
e-mail: maija.rieksta@vidzeme.lv

More about the project

https://baltictrails.eu/lv/forest