Representatives from South Korea have visited the Yorkshire Dales to learn how England’s National Trails are planned, managed and promoted as they develop the country’s first coast-to-coast long-distance walking route.
A delegation of seven representatives from the Korea Forest Service and the National Institute of Forest Science visited the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority as part of an international knowledge-sharing programme.
The group is leading work on the Dongseo Trail, an 845km coast-to-coast walking route that will become South Korea’s first long-distance trail of its kind.
During their visit, the delegation met officers from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and Natural England to discuss how National Trails are managed through partnership working, as well as funding arrangements, volunteer involvement, methods of measuring economic impact and approaches to promoting the routes.
The visit also included a guided walk along the Pennine Way National Trail to Hardraw Force, followed by a tour of the Dales Countryside Museum.
Lizzie Bushby, deputy chair and member champion for recreation management at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said the visit had provided an opportunity to share expertise and build international links.
She said: “We were delighted to welcome colleagues from the Korea Forest Service and the National Institute of Forest Science to the Yorkshire Dales. The visit provided a valuable opportunity to share best practice and strengthen international collaboration, showcasing how National Trails can support local communities, enhance visitor experiences, and contribute to sustainable economic growth.”
Sugwang Lee, from the National Institute of Forest Science, praised the hospitality of the Yorkshire Dales team and said the visit had provided valuable practical insights.
He said England’s National Trails were an important benchmark for South Korea’s emerging National Forest Trails network and described the visit as “an invaluable opportunity” to learn from those involved in managing them.
Mr Lee added that the discussions had been particularly useful in understanding trail governance and ways of measuring economic benefits, and expressed hope that the visit would mark the beginning of a long-term partnership between the two organisations.
Be the first to comment