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HomeSustainable TrailsHandcrafted TrailWhat is Handcrafted Trail?
What is Handcrafted Trail? Features of Handcrafted Trail Common Craftsmanship

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“Eco-trail is both a noun and a verb.”

– Eco-trail — A Two-Way Healing Experience for People and Nature

The Name of Eco-trail

 

As the name suggests, an eco-trail is a handmade trail. This environmentally sustainable approach to trail building involves using locally sourced materials and adapting to local conditions, while respecting the laws of nature to meet the needs and challenges of trail use.

 

A successful eco-trail requires a combination of respect for the natural environment, ecological knowledge and craftsmanship. The highest standard is the principle of “making it look as if nothing has happened”, meaning that the trail blends seamlessly into the natural environment. This approach not only addresses existing problems, but also preserves the landscape in its most natural state.

In the book Eco-Trail: A Two-Way Healing Experience for People and Nature, Prof. Ming-Chien HSU, Deputy Chief Executive of the Taiwan Thousand Mile Trail Association, shares the origin of the term “Eco-trail”. Initially, the Association considered calling it “Nature Trail”, but ultimately rejected this option because of concerns that people might misunderstand it to mean that these trails do not require human maintenance. Also, people might neglect the historical significance of the ancient craftsmanship involved and shift the focus away from the trails themselves to the surrounding natural environment. Eventually, the term “eco-trail” was coined, coinciding with Taiwan’s popular artisanal style and the movement to restore the land to its original state through sustainable design.

 

In Hong Kong, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), which manages the country parks, has been using the “eco-trail” method since the establishment of country parks in the 1970s. Over the past decades, qualified frontline masters have constructed many famous trails, including the MacLehose Trail and Lantau Peak. As you hike, take a moment to look down and appreciate the trail beneath your feet!