ECO.MONT, vol.17, no.1, pp.25-35, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)
Economic, social and technological changes, as well as a global epidemic, have
altered people’s needs and influenced travel cultures, shifting tourism from mass
forms to alternative, nature-based ones, thereby stimulating economic development.
The growing popularity of outdoor recreation activities highlights the need to balance
conservation and use in protected areas. This study focuses on trail planning in the
Kaçkar Mountains National Park, an area ideal for outdoor activities but threatened
by excessive and unplanned use. The Park aims to guide visitors safely along appropriate routes, ensuring access to nature while maintaining a balance between
resource use and protection. The research for this study included the selection of 10
trails, expert interviews, field studies, digitization of inventory and routes, assessment of difficulty using AHP, theming of routes, and development of management
strategies. Using the AHP method to grade trail difficulty resulted in four low-, four
medium- and two high-difficulty paths, which were divided into four themes (Glacial
Age, Wild, Victory Climbing, Cloud Sea). Safety problems and management deficiencies of the routes were identified, route maps were prepared, and suggestions
for the management of the routes were developed.