Sport Ireland
National Trails Office
TRAIL REGISTRATION INSPECTION
Sport Ireland - National Trails Office maintains a register of all recreational trails in Ireland, promotes
standards for trails and accredits trails against these standards.
Trail Registration Inspection
A Trail Registration Inspection is required to confirm that a newly developed trail meets the
requirements of the Management Standards for Recreational Trails, published by Sport Ireland National Trails Office. A full copy of the Management Standards can be downloaded at
http://www.irishtrails.ie/publications.aspx and a summary of the standards and the scores available is
provided below.
When all development work is completed on a new trail (or group of trails), the agency responsible can
request a Trail Registration Inspection with Sport Ireland - National Trails Office by completing the Trail
Registration Inspection Checklist below. This can be returned
via email to:
jboydell@sportireland.ie
or post to:
Sport Ireland
National Trails Office,
Top Floor, Block A,
Westend Office Park,
Blanchardstown,
Dublin 15.
A trail registration inspection will then be scheduled. The inspection involves a Sport Ireland – National
Trails Office inspector visiting the trail(s) and completing a trail inspection survey. A Trail Registration
Inspection Report is then issued confirming whether the trail complies with the standards and details any
issues. A score sheet is used to summarise the findings of the trail registration inspection.
Insurance
A Trail Registration Inspection is required to arrange for a trail to be listed on the public liability insurance
policy which Sport Ireland maintains.1
Website
If the trail meets the requirements it will be included on the Irish Trails website www.irishtrails.ie which is
maintained by Sport Ireland - National Trails Office. This website, which is publicly available, lists all trails
in Ireland that meet the requirements of the Management Standards.
1
Sport Ireland maintains a public liability insurance policy with Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurance Ltd which indemnifies private
landowners who give permission for trails to be developed on their property. Trails can be listed on the policy by contacting the
National Trail Office.
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CHECKLIST FOR TRAIL REGISTRATION INSPECTION
1
2
3
4
Name of Trail(s)
Agency Responsible
Name of Main Contact Person
Contact Address
5
6
7
Telephone Number
E-mail Address
Name of person to accompany the Sport Ireland – National
Trails Office Inspector during inspection.2
Please confirm the following
8
Are the trail(s) open to the public?
9
Are there any safety issues on the trail(s)?3
10
Have all relevant landowners and occupiers been consulted
and given permission?4
11
Number of private landowners
11
Length of Trail(s) (km)
12
What proportion (length) of the trail(s) is on road (km)
13
How much of the trail(s) is on National or Regional Road?
14
Are the trail(s) crossing any environmentally designated
area e.g. SAC, SPA? If yes, have NPWS been consulted?
15
Are there any National Monuments along the trail(s)? If yes
have the National Monuments Service been consulted?
16
Is the trail surface durable, robust and fit for purpose? (See
Summary of Management Standards Item 4 below)
17
Do you require inclusion on the Sport Ireland - National
Trails Office public liability insurance policy which provides
indemnity to private landowners?5
If yes, please complete form below.
Can you confirm the following are in place on the trail(s)
18
Information / Map board(s)
19
All trail furniture e.g. stiles, footbridges, gates etc
20
Waymarking e.g. posts, finger signs, arrow discs
21
Car parking at the trail head
22
Warning signs in place for hazards
23
Protective tubing and warning signs on electric fences
Trail Information to assist inspector
24
Does the trail have online information? (Give website)
25
Should this site be linked from www.irishtrails.ie? (Yes/No)
26
Name of any map guide/brochure/flyer available
27
Please post or attach a scanned copy (Yes/No)
Please provide a copy of map with the route clearly shown when returning this form.
I have personally inspected all the trail(s) and confirm they are ready for a trail
registration inspection and listing on the national trails register.
Signed:
Dated:
2
It is essential that a person nominated by the Management Committee accompanies Sport Ireland – National Trails Office inspector to discuss any
changes/recommendations that are required. This person must be familiar with the trail.
3 Priority Safety Action Items list included at the end of the document.
4 If land is rented to an occupier, permission should be obtained from both the landowner and the occupier.
5 Indemnity insurance is required for all private landowners/occupiers of land on or adjacent to the trail. It is possible for all developed and
approved waymarked trails to be included under a policy administered by Sport Ireland - National Trails Office and Irish Public Bodies (IPB) Mutual
Insurance Ltd. Note that insurance for sections of the trail on land owned by state bodies is not covered by the IPB insurance policy. It is essential
that if the trail is on any such land, this has been agreed with the bodies concerned.
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INFORMATION FOR NATIONAL TRAILS REGISTER
AND WWW.IRISHTRAILS.IE
If you would like your trail(s) to be listed on the National Trails Register and promoted on
www.irishtrails.ie, the most comprehensive listing of trails in Ireland, please supply the following
information
County
Format – Linear or Looped
Ascent - total ascent included in walk in metres
Grade - – see page 24 in
http://www.irishtrails.ie/National_Trails_Office/Publications/t
rails_classification.pdf
Time Required to walk, cycle or paddle trail
Are dogs allowed?
Description of waymarking (colour of arrows and
background)
Nearest town or village to start
Local services such as car parking, shops, restaurants/cafés,
accommodation, etc.
Start point
Grid reference of start point
Finish point (if different from start)
Grid reference of finish point (if different from start)
Name of any map guide available
OSI Discovery Series map sheet number/s
Trail management details for public to contact, regarding
any queries or issues
Public transport (bus or train)
Brief description of trail (this should highlight the
attractions, views, terrain and general impression of the trail
rather than giving directions)
Map supplied in pdf format which is suitable for those using
the trail
Signed:
3
Dated:
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TRAIL INSURANCE REQUEST NOTE
Name of Trail:
Agency Responsible:
Date:
Sport Ireland – National Trails Office in conjunction with Local Authorities retain a public liability insurance
policy with Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurance Ltd (IPB). This policy provides indemnity to private
landowners and occupiers whose property/land is crossed or adjoins the trails listed on this policy.
Cover under this policy provides an indemnity to private landowners in respect of legal liability arising
from claims involving personal injury or property damage sustained by persons whilst on landowners’
land. The indemnity is valid whether the walker is on the trail or has strayed off it.
I confirm that
1.
2.
3.
4.
The agency listed above is responsible
for organizing the maintenance on the
trail
If the answer to 1 is ‘No’ please give
name of agency responsible for the
maintenance on the trail
Number of private landowners
Yes / No
We would like the trail to be listed on
this policy
Please note that
a. A separate Trail Insurance Request Note is required for each individual trail listed on the
policy except in the case of interlinked loops
b. Land/property owners can be added and removed from a trail register at any time.
c. The policy is renewed on 1st April each year and a Trail Insurance Confirmation Note
needs to be returned by your organisation each year for the trail to be listed on the
policy.
d. A cover note is issued each year by county.
e. It is good practice to establish and maintain a register of land/property owners whose
land either crosses or adjoins the designated trails.
f. It is recommended that Voluntary Trail Committees have public liability insurance cover.
Sport Ireland – National Trails Office maintains a policy that provides this.
Signed: (Printed Name Accepted):
On behalf of:
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Summary of Management Standards for Walking Trails
The following requirements apply to waymarked walking trails and will be the criteria for accreditation and
listing on the Irish Trails website – www.irishtrails.ie. Following inspection, each trail will be scored against
each of the requirements of the standards. The points available for each requirement are weighted in that
those which are considered most important attract a higher score.
If a trail receives at least 70% of the score available for each of the main headings 1 to 6 shown below
and at least 70% of the total score available, it will be considered acceptable and will be accredited and
listed on – www.irishtrails.ie.
The weighted scoring system, described above allows for a trail to be listed even if it does not fully meet
every individual requirement. However there are some mandatory requirements which must be met for a
trail to be registered as follows:



Must have permitted access from all landowners on the trail route
Must be free from any hazards which could potentially endanger a trail user.
Must have evidence of consultation with the appropriate authority if a route passes
through a site of environmental, archaeological or architectural interest
1. Trail Information (200 points)
Information about the trail should be available to users as follows:
1. Trail Map and trail information: (hard copy or printable from the internet):
a. Map showing the route, with sufficient detail such that it can be used for route finding on the
trail, including – start/finish points, all junctions where the user could divert from the route
must be clearly represented and any other recognised access points to the trail in addition to
the main start finish points should be shown. (100 points)
b. Information on the grade of the trail (15 points) and a definition of the grades. (5 points)
c. Length of the trail (15 points) estimated time to complete (4 points) and ascent in metres.
(1 point)
d. Description of waymarking used on the trail. (5 points)
e. Brief route description. (5 points)
f. Email or phone number for trail management organization. (5 points)
g. Emergency services contact details. (5 points)
h. Information on whether dogs are permitted on the trail.(5 points)
i. The “Leave No Trace” principles6. (5 points)
While the standard requires the use of the “Leave No Trace” principles on information boards, it is recognised that some older boards may use
“countryside code” messages. This will also be acceptable.
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2. Information Board at the trail head which includes:
a. Map showing route (6 points), start and finish point (2 points) and a ‘you are here’ pointer (2
points).
b. Information on the grade of the trail (3 points) and a definition of the grades. ( 2 points)
c. Length of the trail (3 points) estimated time to complete (2 points) and ascent in metres. (1
point)
d. Description of way marking used on the trail. (4 points)
e. Brief route description. (1 point)
f. Email or phone number for trail management organization. (1 point)
g. Emergency services contact details. (1 point)
h. Information on whether dogs are permitted on the trail. (1 point)
i. The “Leave No Trace” principles. (1 point)
2. The Route (200 points)
The route must:
1. Be unobstructed and passable due to vegetation or other issues. (20 points deducted for each
issue up to a max of 40 points)
2. Warning signs must be in place warning of any hazards on the route which require users to take
specific care e.g. electric fencing. (8 points deducted for each issue up to a max of 40
points)
3. Have protective tubing on electric fences which need to be crossed by walkers. (8 points
deducted for each issue up to a max of 40 points)
4. Have livestock signs at entrance points to fields containing bulls or suckler cows. (10 points
deducted for each issue up to a max of 40 points)
5. Have warning signs for motorists on the road where it crosses N or R roads or other busy trafficked
roads. (8 points deducted for each issue up to a max of 40 points)
3. Waymarking (200 points)
The trail must have:
1. Waymarking at all junctions or other locations where it is essential to direct the trail user (20
points deducted for each issue up to a max of 80 points)
2. Waymarking correctly aligned at all junctions/locations where waymarking is essential to direct
the trail user. (10 points deducted for each issue up to a max of 40 points)
3. Waymarking positioned so that they are clearly visible to an approaching walker at junctions or
other locations on the route where they are essential to direct the walker (travelling in either
direction on a two way route). (4 points deducted for each issue up to a max of 20 points)
4. Consistent waymarking (same type/colour) used throughout the route (2 points deducted for
each issue up to a max of 10 points)
5. Markers differentiated by colour, numbers or letter where there are multiple trails in the same
area. (10 points deducted for each issue up to a max of 20 points)
6. Yellow arrow and “walking man” symbol used only on National Waymarked Ways. (2 points
deducted for each issue up to a max of 10 points)
7. Temporary diversions on the trail must be clearly waymarked. (20 points)
4. Trail Surface (200 points)
The trail surface must:
1. Be durable, robust and fit for purpose7 i.e. free from extended sections which are severely
waterlogged, boggy, have deep mud or are severely eroded such that it is difficult to walk through.
(30 points deducted for each major issue up to a max of 200 points)
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“Fit-for-purpose” i.e. if a trail is aimed at inexperienced walkers, children, family groups etc, it should be relatively wide, flat and have a reasonably
smooth and compact surface. It can then be considered to be “fit for purpose”. Another trail developed for experienced walkers, perhaps in remote or
upland areas, may have a surface which is substantially narrower, steeper in gradient and extremely uneven but also be “fit for purpose” because it is
intended for a different type of user. See ‘Trail Classification and Standards’ issued by Sport Ireland – National Trails Office for further detail.
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5. Vegetation and Litter (100 points)
The route must:
1. Be free from invasive species of vegetation on the route. (10 points deducted for each issue up
to a max of 40 points)
2. Have markers unobstructed by vegetation (deduct 5 points for each issue up to a maximum
of 40)
3. Be free from litter and other waste. (4 points deducted for each issue up to a max of 20
points)
6./7 Trail Furniture and Services (100 points)
Trail furniture includes:
 Information Boards
 Seating
 Markers
 Signage
 Stiles
 Gates
 Bridges
 Bog bridges
 Boardwalks
 Steps
1. Trail furniture must be designed, constructed, installed and maintained such that it is fit for
purpose, robust, reliable and safe. (8 points deducted for each issue up to max of 40 points)
2. Walking surface on stiles, board walks, bridges or steps must have a suitable ‘non-slip’ finish. (8
points deducted for each issue up to a maximum of 40 points)
3. Suitable off-road car parking space must be available at the trail head. (20 points)
Total points available = 1000
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Priority Safety Action Items
8

Dangerous Furniture
 Damaged, rotting or loose stile
 Damaged, rotting or loose sleepers, footbridges, boardwalks, bog bridges
 Damaged, rotting or loose handrail
 Dangerously slippery stile or steps without non-slip surface
 Dangerously slippery sleepers, footbridges, boardwalks, bog bridges without non-slip
surface
 Unsupported timber stile steps
 Protruding nails on stile or crossing place
 Arrow plates with sharp edges protruding that may injure a walker

Fencing
 Barbed wire that may injure a walker
 Loose wire or other items as trip hazard

Surface Dangers
 Deep holes or collapsed drains in the path or track
 Dangerous river crossing or flooding

Signage
 Exceptionally dangerous roads without signs to warn motorists of walkers
 Dangerous cliffs, mines or quarries located near the trail without warning signs
 Timber felling operations without warning signs
Ver. 28 October 2015