About Green Flag Trails
Green Flag Trails is an international standard for trail accreditation, to enhance public awareness of and confidence in trails. The system ensures well managed and environmentally accountable trails remain a valued and on-going resource for access to nature, recreation and trail sports, for health and tourism and the many benefits trails offer local communities.
The system is designed to meet the needs of trail users in relation to trail information, difficulty grading and skills and trail classification. Green Flag Trails is also a tool for trail managers who wish to receive objective trail audits and assessments and to have their trail recognized as being under responsible management. The accreditation mark is a useful tool for marketing your trails.
Announcement: Website Update
Our website is undergoing a major rebuild. Please be patient as we update all elements of Green Flag Trails with a completely revised system for trail audits and assessments, new teaching manuals and our new Trails Atlas of Green Flag Trails.
In-person training courses take place in:
- Cambodia in February 2023
- Tsitsikamma, South Africa in April 2023
- Nevada, USA in April 2023
Four Criteria of Accredited Green Flag Trails
Responsible Management
Demonstrating regular and on-going trail care and engaged management of the trail.
Accurate Trail Information
Displaying up to date & accurate trail data on website and in marketing materials.
Environmental Accountability
Reducing impacts of the trail on the local environment, includes water runoff, recycling, etc.
Risk and Safety Monitoring
Identifying the risks associated with the trail type and communicating them accordingly.
Assessment Criteria
Green Flag Trails work towards sustainable trail development, where the trails accredited are assessed against multiple sustainability indicators.
Train as a Trail Auditor
Train to become a Green Flag Trails Auditor or Assessor. Become part of a growing global community of professionals and volunteers who care for trails.
Quality Experiences
Quality trail experiences are related to the trail meeting trail user’s expectations, and the trail aligning to defined trail standards.
Informed Choice
Trail users can make informed choices as to which trails will best suit their needs, when all relevant and appropriate trail information is presented.
Administration of the System
The Green Flag Trails System is overseen by an international group of independent trail experts, under the auspices of the World Trails Network’s Trails & Tourism Task Team.
Goals and Objectives into the Future
The team is working towards a globally credible, robust and reputable system for accrediting and monitoring environmentally sustainable managed trails and the verification of accurate and relevant trail descriptions and data. A focus on defining risk and safety elements helps ensure trail users can make informed choices as to which trails will most suit their needs, levels of experience and skill.
Global Partnerships
We are exploring global partnerships with innovative brands and sponsors to further develop the system.