Trails carry the same public value as roads and bicycle paths – yet unlike cycling infrastructure, which the European Cyclists Federation has successfully championed at EU level, trails remain politically invisible and systematically underfunded. Responsibility is fragmented across NGOs, municipalities, and protected areas, with no strategic EU-level framework for trail maintenance, restoration, or long-term investment.

The European Trails Policy Paper – Trails as Strategic European Infrastructure, led by the European Network of Outdoor Sports (ENOS), calls for the formal recognition of trails as essential public infrastructure. It outlines concrete, feasible actions for the European Union, EU Member States, and regional and local authorities, aiming to establish a coherent policy framework that ensures trails are protected, funded, and managed sustainably for current and future generations.