PORTUGALNTN Promotes Leading Quality Trails - Best of Europe Certification Training

For three days of intensive training, PORTUGALNTN promoted the Leading Quality Trails - Best of Europe (LQT) certification course, delivered by trainers from the European Hiking Federation (ERA), with the participation of representatives from the Vale do Tua Regional Natural Park and the Municipality of Montalegre.

This is yet another step to strengthen PORTUGALNTN’s commitment to quality, safety, and sustainability, enhancing its hiking trails and the tourism potential of the territories, while paving the way for future certification of some trails as “THE BEST HIKING TRAILS IN EUROPE.”

The nature tourism company, headquartered in Mirandela, bases all its activity on knowledge, qualified training, and respect for regulations that ensure the development of sustainable tourism activities, with respect for natural values and local communities.

The training within this European evaluation system took place at the Museu da Oliveira e do Azeite, in Mirandela, attended by several company members as well as technical staff from the Vale do Tua Regional Natural Park and the Municipality of Montalegre.

The group received training in LQT-BE Long Distance – for trails over 50 km, and LQT-BE Day Walk – for trails between 4 and 25 km, reinforcing their commitment to quality, safety, and sustainability, while valuing hiking trails and the tourism potential of the territory.

This evaluation system distinguishes hiking trails that offer a high-quality walking experience, consistently measuring their attractiveness, landscape diversity, and cultural authenticity.

The trails are assessed at various levels, with strictly defined criteria, including evaluation of the trail surface, trail marking system and signage, nature and landscape, culture, local community, safety, local accommodation, among others.

This certification was established by the European Hiking Federation and aims to consistently measure the attractiveness of trails. It is designed with maximum flexibility to integrate the landscape features and unique trails of each region. Nature conservation, as well as proper maintenance and signage of the trail, must be ensured throughout the certification period (3 years).

The Leading Quality Trails – Best of Europe (LQT) is an evaluation and certification system that offers a set of quality criteria for hiking trails across Europe.

What is the purpose of the “Leading Quality Trails - Best of Europe quality offensive”?

The purpose of the “Leading Quality Trails - Best of Europe quality offensive” is to improve and promote sustainable hiking tourism in Europe. As the foundation of hiking tourism, the quality of the trails is of particular importance.

On which criteria is the evaluation system based?

The Leading Quality Trails - Best of Europe brand is the central element of this “quality offensive” and bases its evaluation system on surveys regarding the wishes and needs of hikers in today’s society.
The title “Leading Quality Trails - Best of Europe” is awarded by the European Hiking Federation (ERA). It includes specific commitments and serves as a tourism marketing tool for hiking destinations.

What is the goal of this LQT-BE concept?

The Leading Quality Trails - Best of Europe concept aims, in principle, to anchor a balance between economic, ecological, and social concerns in our society, towards sustainable tourism development.
Thus, issues of nature conservation, economic benefits through the promotion of Leading Quality Trails - Best of Europe, and the involvement of the regional population must be coordinated in the process.

The selection and promotion of a Leading Quality Trails - Best of Europe trail must always respect sustainability principles. Issues of nature protection and conservation, as well as continuous maintenance of the trail and signage, must be monitored throughout the certification period. The ERA recommends involving all relevant regional stakeholders in the quality assurance process from an early stage.