International Friendship Trail
The starting point for our Friendship Trail was Cape Chin where we were meeting up with the volunteer team which looks after the Peninsula section of trail. We drove down a long track and the Bruce team explained how they had recently purchased this area of land to protect the route of the trail and importantly conserve and improve the land for nature. As we pulled down to the end of the lane it suddenly opened out into breathtaking views across the Georgian Bay, a huge expanse of water that you cannot see to the other side. Even though it is part of a lake system the sound of water lapping up onto the shore instantly brought our senses back to being stood on the SWCP.
We officially opened the trail with talks from Julian, Jackie Randle CEO of the Bruce Trail and Tamara Wilson President of the Peninsula Bruce Trail Club. After the official opening and photos, we set off to walk the Friendship trail winding through mixed woodland on top of the Niagara Escarpment. As we walked Tamara explained points of interest and things to look out for including the elusive Massasauga Rattle Snake and pointed out evidence of black bears having been in the area with overturned rocks, where the bears had been looking for grubs and insects to eat as well as apples from the multiple fruit trees along the route. On this walk I can also categorically say that yes, bears do poo in the woods and on the trail, as we had to watch where we were treading!
We spent a few more days with the Bruce Trail and the Thousand Mile Trail Association (TMI Trail) team from Taiwan, including the opening of the TMI and Bruce Trail Friendship route before heading onto the Conference.
World Trails Network Conference: 30 September to 3 October
The World Trails Conference is a bi-annual global gathering where representatives and enthusiasts from around the world come together to share knowledge, forge meaningful networks, and shape the future of trail experiences around the world. There was more than 400 trail experts and enthusiasts from over 35 countries in the world at the Conference in Ottawa, hosted by the Trans Canada Trail. Over the 4 days, presentations and key-note speakers shared learnings and knowledge across the focus themes of Climate and Nature, Regenerative Tourism and Resilient Trails. Julian presented about our Coastal Wildbelt work on the Tuesday which produced a lot of interest and discussions about the different approaches and definitions for a trail corridor which can provide nature conservation benefits. Lorna spoke on the last day about our Coast Path Connectors project in the session – Inclusive Paths Ahead: Advancing Accessibility on Trails Around the World. The Coast Path Connectors project was the only project presented which was looking at the full range of equity of access on a trail to ensure that everyone whether they are socially isolated or lonely, have financial difficulties, mental or physical wellbeing issues or lack confidence to use the trail has the opportunity to do so.
International Co-operation
The WTN Conference has been a fantastic opportunity to make lots of connections with like minded trail people and to hear moving and inspirational talks giving thought provoking insights into the future opportunities and challenges to trails all over the world. The South West Coast Path is one of the Worlds Great Trails who are forging ahead with Equity of access works but there is still lots more to learn and the WTN conference is a place for trails to learn from one another.
International Friendship trails are also important for co-operation and to celebrate the importance of trails in supporting the local economy and connecting people to nature. We look forward to welcoming people walking the SWCP section of our first International Friendship Trail. We also hope there will be further opportunities for International Friendship trails with other countries so watch this space.
The South West Coast Path 