By the end of 2026, the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg will have the most comprehensive network of official bike trails that the continent has ever seen. The network expansion, which is set to eclipse everything that has gone before, has already been underway for five years. A full eight years lie between the initial idea for a 600-kilometre trail network in the north of Hesse and its planned completion. A total of 14 municipalities and one district belong to the Green Trails special-purpose association. They are all united by the hope of creating another mainstay of tourism alongside winter and water sports. We asked those responsible about what is currently probably the most ambitious bike infrastructure project.
Interview with the head of the Green Trails project, Matthias Schäfer: Grid expansion is progressing
BIKE: What is behind the Green Trails project?
Matthias Schäfer: In order to expand the tourist offer in the district and offer all tourists and citizens a beautiful, active experience in nature, the Green Trails Association is planning a mountain bike project that is unique in Europe - the Green Trails. Consisting of around 200 kilometres of trails and 200 kilometres of connecting paths, people of all ages will be able to experience nature on their mountain bikes in around 14 municipalities in the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg in 2026.
How long has the project been running and what has been achieved so far?
Mayor Thomas Trachte from Willingen came up with the idea of a "border trail" back in 2018. A trail around 600 kilometres long on the border of the district was intended to attract mountain biking enthusiasts to the district. However, only neighbouring municipalities would have benefited from this idea. So the idea quickly developed into building and operating trail areas within the district. Many talks and political discussions were held between the end of 2019 and September 2021. In the end, the idea and the product spoke for themselves and convinced 14 towns and municipalities as well as the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg to join the Green Trails special-purpose association. Last year, things went from strength to strength: the landscape conservation plan for the Korbach-Eisenberg trail area was drawn up as a blueprint, the first authorisation was granted and construction began in December last year. This has now been completed. The trails have to rest and will be opened in July of this year. At the same time, planning in Willingen and Diemelsee is progressing rapidly. However, the project office commissioned in the other municipalities is also busily planning ahead so that the ambitious schedule of having all the trails ready by 2026 can be met.
How did such an ambitious project come about? Is the demand in the region particularly high?
The mountain bike market is booming and the demand for trails for mountain bikers is high. All the local authorities involved would like to capitalise on this situation to further develop tourism in the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg and establish themselves with a further mainstay - alongside winter and water sports. But tourism is not the only focus: businesses in the district are also hoping that the trails will strengthen their location.
What are the biggest challenges in a project like this?
The size of the project presents us with many different challenges. Interest groups want to be informed and involved in advance. However, participation only makes sense once the project has reached a certain stage. We always ask for your understanding that our project team cannot be in all places at the same time. The planning progresses step by step and all the people who must and should be involved are involved and informed in good time.
What about the acceptance of the various stakeholders, such as politicians, local residents, forestry, etc.?
In 2021, the parliaments of the 15 municipalities voted - in some cases unanimously - in favour of the project. Since then, nothing has changed in terms of political attitudes. In some other areas, however, we occasionally notice that there is a lack of understanding for the project and its direction. However, this is often due to misunderstandings or too little information. We hope that the blueprint in Korbach will familiarise all interest groups with the direction of our project and that existing reservations can be further dispelled.
Are there plans to open the Green Trails? If so, when can we expect it?
The parks will be opened one by one depending on the progress of the project. The first trail area in Korbach is scheduled to open in July 2023. Anyone who wants to can then come along and test out the trails. A grand opening after completion of all areas and the connecting trails is planned for 2026.
How can bikers support the project?
We are always happy to receive support. Be it as an advocate for the project or, if you would like to volunteer, as a track maintainer. If you are interested, please send us an email to greentrails@lkwafkb.de. In general, if you are out and about on our trails and notice any damage, missing signs or similar, please let us know via our website. We will restore everything to its original condition as quickly as possible.
What are the next steps for you?
In addition to planning, construction and many discussions, we are currently revising our website to provide clear information on the project and its progress. In addition, we will be submitting two more parks for approval very soon and, if all goes well, construction will begin this year. We will then be able to connect three parks next year.
You can also find out more about legal trails here:
Jan Timmermann
Editor
