Insights from The Life of Py on what makes a GREAT trail experience

If you’re a trail user or have been in the trails industry for a while, there’s a pretty good chance you will be familiar with?The Life of Py. The hugely popular?website,?blog?and accompanying?social media platforms?were started by Mark Pybus in 2014 due to the lack of first hand information about trails in Western Australia at the time.

The website has since grown to include both hiking and mountain bike trails from Western Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and?Victoria. Mark is also a?current board member for HikeWest and has been involved in various trails committees, including for the WA Hiking Strategy Development and Implementation.

As a seasoned trail user, Mark joined us on a recent Trail Futures webinar to share what makes a good user experience, starting with his definition of two trail types – ‘tourist trails’ versus the ‘everyday trails’.?

What Are Tourist Trails?

Mark describes tourist trails as destination trails that:

• tourists travel for or visit while on holiday,
• are located in high value areas with access to quality scenery, unique environments and high quality facilities,
• leave an impression and make people want to share them on social media.

What Are Everyday Trails?

Everyday trails, by Mark’s definition:

• are situated in close proximity to population centres
• service mostly those that live within walking or cycling distance of the trail
• often provide an escape from everyday life and explore remnant bushland, rivers or coastline
• generally have simple signage and facilities and may not necessarily be purpose-built trails. Rather, they may utilise existing tracks, paths or firebreaks.

As Mark explains,?“They aren’t lesser trails but usually have some compromises in design and location.”

Everyday Trails - Whistlepipe Gully, Kalamunda.?

?? Images courtesy The Life of Py (2022)

Mark discussed everything from biodiversity, flora and fauna, signage, interpretation, technology, maintenance, promotion and art on trails. In particular, Mark highlighted some of the opportunities for Western Australia to utilise the significant biodiversity (particularly in the South West of WA as a global biodiversity hotspot), local Aboriginal culture and heritage, and unique geology.

Mark also warned the trail industry of overselling trails as “world class” which can lead to trail users being underwhelmed and disappointed if the trail experience doesn’t live up to how it was promoted. He touched on the importance of promotional materials showing an accurate depiction of the trail experience. As an example, Mark referred to the oversaturation of drone images that are currently being used to promote trails; which while they are beautiful and inspiring, do not show the actual user experience.

He also touched on some of the issues with prescribed burning in Western Australia and what some of the impacts have been on the trails. Prescribed burning is a tool utilised throughout Australia, mostly to reduce fuel loads but also to maintain biodiversity and rehabilitate vegetation. Unfortunately, as they are currently undertaken, they are having some negative effects on trails and the trail experience. Mark encourage a rethinking of how we consider trails, suggesting that they should be considered as an asset like pine plantations, farms or parks. With this change of mindset and management, we would see trails become an asset to be protected, rather than collateral damage when a burn is planned.?

As Mark stated, “People come from all over Australia and the world to hike our trails and it’s a very poor reflection on us when they are put?on long diversions, find trails with severe fire damage or with horrendous regrowth. Trails need to be included in the planning of burns and if they must be burnt, then it should be done by hand and not included in large burns ignited by the air.”

To hear?this wonderfully interesting and informative webinar with one of Australia’s most experienced and respected trail bloggers for yourself, click on the button below and activate your free registration.

Welcoming our first Sponsorship Partner!

We are delighted to be able to provide this webinar to the Australian trails community for free! Trail Futures thanks sponsor,?Synergy Graphics?for generously supporting the development of educational resources for the trails sector.

Synergy Graphics?is a design and web specialist operating out of Albany WA since 2003, lending their substantial experience working with small and big businesses, NFP organisations and all tiers of government to creating a large range of professional products.

Working in the trails space, both Outdoors Great Southern and Trail Futures frequently work with branding, web design and signage consultants and we have been pleased to add this business to our database as a reliable contact for small and large jobs.

Our organisation has contracted Synergy Graphics in the past for print collateral for some of our annual reports, with excellent results and great customer service.

Synergy Graphics takes pride in helping brands develop and communicate their unique vision. If you need help to get the message out there, Synergy Graphics will work with you to illustrate and communicate that vision.

If you could use a hand with your website, signage, branding, reports and more, be sure to visit?synergygraphics.com.au?or call 0439 936 514 to meet with Principal Designer Nicola Edwards.