from 9 to 12 October 2025
Macugnaga
Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Italy
Organised by the European Mountaineering Association (EUMA) and the European Hiking Federation (ERA), in close cooperation with the Club Alpino Italiano (CAI), the conference brings together key stakeholders from across Europe — including institutions, trail experts, and outdoor professionals — to explore innovative strategies for managing and preserving hiking paths and trail networks.
This edition will focus on trail management in the digital age, with particular attention to how digital tools can enhance user experiences, support sustainable practices, and help address the growing challenge of overtourism on the most popular trails. The conference will also provide a vital space for dialogue, aiming to develop a shared vision of what “trails” mean today, helping to align standards and improve recognition at a European level.
This page is continuously being updated. In the coming weeks, it will include the detailed conference programme, the registration form, and the results of the Call for Abstracts.
Stay tuned for all the latest updates and practical information.
Conference Programme
Thursday, 09.10
Welcome Dinner
Friday, 10.10
Morning Session 09.00 – 12.30
Greetings and welcome speeches
Introduction Associations and last year’s results
Block 1: Inclusive & Sustainable Trail Use
Key-words:
Accessibility, inclusive hiking, community-based tourism development
Details:
How GPS data collection, analysis, and systematization can enhance inclusivity, environmental awareness, and community engagement on mountain trails use.
Presentations:
– European Trails – the bottom line (EUMA – ERA Project)
– FIE: Camminiamo Insieme – Digital Tools for Inclusive Trails – Angelo Latorre
– Acqua Sorgente – A Scientific Approach to Mapping, Preserving, and Communicating Mountain Water Heritage – Matteo Nigro, Alessio Piccioli
Coffee Break | 10:45 – 11:00
Block 2: Digital Trail Management Platforms (11:00)
Keywords:
Centralized systems, user apps, planning and maintenance tools
Details:
Digital trail platforms: Hiking- and mountaineering associations as key actors in collecting data and delivering real-time, user-focused information to enhance safety and experience along hiking routes.
Presentations:
– MaRandone FFRandonne – Gillian Bowser, Anne Danby
– Scalable and Open Model for Trail Data Management CAI SOSEC – Alessio Piccioli, Andrea del Sarto, Lorenzo Bassi
– GIS-Based Management of Hiking Trails in Hungary Hungarian Hikers Association – Judit Stramszky, Eszter
– Trail Management System – PlanGIS Alpine Association of Slovenia – Andrej Stritar
– Digitization and Digitalization of Mountaineering Trails in the Croatian Mountaineering Association – Alan Čaplar, Hrvoje Gold, Darko Grundler, Goran Šepić, Mladen Vrabec, Biserka Radović, Predrag Radović, Damir Bićanić, Davor Racić
– EUMA Database – Alessio Piccioli, Giuseppe Bonfanti
Lunch | 13:00 – 14:30
Afternoon Session 14:30 – 18:15
Block 3: Participation, Real-Time Safety, Crowdsourcing and overuse
Key-words:
Volunteer-based input, hazard alerts, crowdsourced infrastructure feedback
Details:
Exploring the role of crowdsourcing in trail network management: from real-time reporting and maintenance to strategic planning, between emerging opportunities and critical challenges.
Presentations:
– SafeTrails.hr Croatian Mountain Rescue Service – Dragan, Hrvoje Gold, Vanja Suhina, Vlatko Roland
– Alps Watch Live Tyrolean Mountain Sports Guides – Michael Rosendorfer et al.
– Crowdsourcing: Semi-open vs Full-open C-MAP – Alfredo Gattai
– Overcrowded trails – Steen Kobberø-Hansen
Coffee Break |16:00 – 16:30
Block 4: Community tools, Interoperability and digital tools for Managing Hiking Tourism
Beginning at 16:30
Key-words:
OSM use, standardization, platform integration, cross-border collaboration
Details:
Digital strategies for responsible hiking tourism: how municipalities and SMEs are using platforms and apps to manage trail access, engage visitors, and support sustainable territorial development.
Presentations:
– “Villaggi Montani – The Mountain Villages Project” – Alberto Ghedina, Barbara Foggiato
– Accessibility of Mountain Municipalities TomTom – Chiara Angiolini
– Digital Transformation on the Lycian Way Culture Routes Society – Kate Clow
– Long Distance Trail Buddy Agentur – Weitblick – Claudia Tscherne
– Towards Integrated Digital Ecosystems – Ivy Adamakopoulou
Dinner
Saturday, 11.10
Morning Session 09.00 – 12.30
Panel 1: Artificial Intelligence – Opportunities and Threats for trails and path management
Beginning at 09:00
This session explores how Artificial Intelligence and Information Technology are beginning to influence the world of trails and paths. Rather than presenting final solutions, we open a space for dialogue, inspiration, and critical reflection.
Through a series of short keynote inputs, we will explore emerging digital tools and their potential to:
-Improve route planning and safety
– Support trail maintenance through predictive technologies
– Enhance user experience with personalized and interactive features
– Contribute to sustainable tourism and nature conservation
A moderated discussion will follow, aimed at identifying key opportunities and challenges – and guiding future collaboration between tech developers, trail managers, and outdoor communities.
Coffee break |10.30 – 11.00
Panel 2: Trails Towards a Common Language: Policy, Protection, and Progress in Trail Management – Experiences from Italy
Beginning at 11.00 and ends 12.30
A shared vocabulary is a key tool for effective collaboration with institutions at local, national, and European levels. This panel brings together representatives from the Italian Ministry of Tourism, local and regional administrations, and trail experts to explore recent progress in trail management and legislation in Italy.
The discussion will outline core reference points for future policies and funding strategies: the historical and cultural value of trails, public authorities’ maintenance duties, hikers’ self-responsibility, and the protection of non-motorized routes. Promoting these principles is essential to ensure the sustainable development of Europe’s trail network and address urgent challenges such as overtourism, climate change, and digital transformation in outdoor activities.
Packed lunch | 12.45 / 13.00
Afternoon Activities
Activities by CAI
Hiking Activities by CAI (surrounding area 2-3h) / Free activities
Gala Dinner
Sunday, 12.10
Morning session 09.00 – 11.00
Conference conclusion
Packed lunch
Afternoon Activities
Departures / Hiking Activities by CAI (surrounding area 2-3h) / Free activities
Submission of the papers timeline
| 01/06 | Deadline for submission of the abstracts. The authors should submit the title, summary, and keywords in English. Summarize up to 300 words |
| 14/06 | Deadline for notifying authors about the acceptance of the paper. The Executive and Editorial Committee will carry out the selection of papers |
| 01/07 | Publication of the final program, including the abstracts |
| 20/08 | Deadline for submission of the presentations |
Register
Please fill out the form below to register for the conference.
We kindly ask you to complete the payment by August 10 in order to confirm your participation and support us in organizing the event
Submission closed
Send your Abstract
The author’s guide to abstracts and presentations is detailed in the attached PDF file.
All related documentation should be sent to: info@european-mountaineers.eu.
Practical Information
Dates
9–12 October 2025
Conference Venue
Centro Culturale Kongresshaus, Macugnaga (VB), Italy
Accommodation
Participants will be accommodated in lodging facilities in Macugnaga, reserved exclusively for Conference attendees.
Please note that availability is limited, and reservations will be confirmed only upon receipt of the participation fee payment.
Travel & Transfers
Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel.
A shuttle bus service will be provided from Domodossola railway station (easily reachable from Milan airports) to the accommodation site.
Cost
€290 / €340, which includes:
Accommodation
Meals for the entire duration of the conference
Shuttle transfer from Domodossola railway station to the venue
Hiking activities organized by CAI – Italian Alpine Club
Payment Deadline: The €290 / €340 participation fee must be paid by 10 August 2025
Note: The fee does not include transfers from Milan airports. For private transport, contact info@nccmonterosaservice.com
Hiking Activities
On the afternoons of 11 & 12 October (weather permitting), participants can choose between an easy or moderate guided hike.
Further details will be provided on-site.
Please bring appropriate mountain gear.
Getting to Macugnaga
By Train
Nearest station: Domodossola, well connected to Milano Centrale and Milano Porta Garibaldi.
Train schedules: trenitalia.com/en
By Plane
Milano Linate: M4 metro to Milano Centrale or Porta Garibaldi
Milano Malpensa: Hourly train to Verbania-Pallanza (1 change)
Bergamo Orio al Serio: Shuttle bus to Milano Centrale (every 20–30 minutes)
By Car
Carpooling is encouraged!
Contact us if you’d like help connecting with other participants for ride sharing.
General notes
- Information will be regularly updated on our website
- The official language of the conference is English
- For additional information regarding the submission of papers, interested authors can contact: info@european-mountaineers.eu
- The author’s presentation time will be limited
- Proceedings with conclusions will be available in electronic format
Documents
The organizers
Partner
Club Alpino Italiano (CAI)