Turn your trail expertise into global impact.
Become an accredited Green Flag Trails Assessor and help trail organizations around the world improve responsible trail management.
Why Become an Assessor?
Make an impact
Contribute to better managed trails worldwide.
Gain recognition
Become an accredited GFT professional.
Turn expertise into opportunity
Assessors work independently and set their own prices.
Join a global network
Connect with trail experts, trainers, and organizations.
Keep developing
Stay up to date through GFT training and product updates.
Your Role: What Does a GFT Assessor Do?
A GFT Assessor evaluates trails independently using the standardized GFT system. The assessment covers five categories.
Trail management is efficiently organized and takes responsibility for the interests of all stakeholders, such as landowners, the local economy, nature conservation and trail users.
The trail has been designed in the best possible way taking into account the trail idea and the target group. The trails offer plenty of attractions and views.
The trail route is clearly defined, with validated information covering the experience, requirements and hazards for the user, and easy navigation even in difficult conditions.
Trails are built with low erosion and little interference with nature. Visitors are well guided to protect nature, with public transportation, toilets and a waste system in place.
Cultural sites and local traditions are preserved and brought to life, creating added value for the local economy under fair working conditions without damaging nature.
It's not about a simple pass or fail — each category is scored individually, giving the trail organization a detailed picture of its quality and where it can improve. Each category must reach a minimum score of 70 out of 100 for the trail to become certified.
Your Impact: Why Assessors Matter
Your assessment can shape better trails.
As an Assessor, you help improve trail management systematically, encourage responsible decision-making, and give trail organizations an independent basis for development. This directly supports the GFT mission of establishing a worldwide standard for responsible trail management.
Photo by Tom Jur on Unsplash
Who Can Become an Assessor?
Professional Expertise
Trail knowledge, understanding of trail management, infrastructure, safety, environmental impact, and community aspects, plus the ability to assess trails objectively and systematically.
Personal Skills
Analytical thinking, independence, communication skills, integrity, attention to detail, and willingness for continuous learning.
Your Journey: How to Become an Assessor
Apply
Submit your application to become a GFT Assessor, including your background and relevant experience in trail assessment or outdoor recreation.
Get Trained
Complete the official WTN training covering the GFT criteria, scoring methodology, and assessment procedure.
Become Accredited
Pass the accreditation process to be certified as a qualified GFT Assessor, ready to evaluate trails independently.
Get Licensed
Obtain your annual GFT Assessor licence by paying the USD 100 licence fee, giving you the right to conduct official assessments.
Assess Trails
Start assessing trails using the GFT criteria, submitting your reports to the GFT team for review and certification.
Stay Active
To stay active, Assessors must assess at least one trail every two years and take part in online trainings or product updates. After three years of inactivity, reactivation requires updated training.
Independence, Rights & Opportunities
As a GFT Assessor, you operate as an independent professional — not an employee of World Trails Network.
Run your assessment work as your own independent account, on your own terms.
Operate in a free market — you decide your own fees for assessment services.
Be listed publicly as a certified GFT Assessor, so trail organizations can find and reach you directly.
Conduct official assessments that qualify trails for Green Flag Trails certification.
Benefit from the global marketing and network reach of the World Trails Network.
No territorial exclusivity and no limit on the number of assessors — open to everyone who qualifies.
Your Responsibilities
Being a GFT Assessor comes with clear obligations that keep the certification system credible and consistent.
Complete the official WTN training and licensing process before conducting assessments.
Pay the annual licence fee of USD 100 to maintain active Assessor status.
Participate in refresher trainings and stay current with system updates.
Assess at least one trail every 2 years to remain an active, licensed Assessor.
Carry out every assessment independently and professionally, following the GFT methodology.
Ensure each assessment report is reviewed and accepted by a GFT Trainer.
An Assessor may not act as a paid Consultant on the same trail they assess — this conflict-of-interest rule keeps every certification independent and credible.
How an Assessment Works
From first contact to certification, here's how the GFT assessment process works for Assessors.
Trail Org Prepares
The trail organization gathers information and documentation about the trail.
Trail Org Contacts an Assessor
The organization selects and contacts an independent GFT Assessor.
Assessor Assesses the Trail
The Assessor conducts an on-site evaluation using the GFT criteria.
Trail Org Applies & Pays WTN
The organization submits the certification application and pays the WTN fee.
Assessor Submits the Assessment
The Assessor delivers the completed assessment report to the GFT team.
GFT Team Reviews & Approves
The GFT team quality-checks the report and confirms certification.
Certification Issued
The Green Flag Trails certification is issued, valid for 2 years.