TRAIL REGISTRATION INSPECTION
(Previously Final 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 the National Trails
Office and the National Loop Walking Routes Criteria and that it has been completed in line with the Appraisal
Report.
A
full
copy
of
the
Management
Standards
can
be
downloaded
at
http://www.irishtrails.ie/publications.aspx. A Trail Registration Inspection is also usually required to
arrange insurance for a trail.
A score sheet is used to assess the findings of the Trail Registration Inspection against the requirements
of the Management Standards. The scoring system is weighted, so that the items which are of greatest
importance attract the highest scores. A summary of the Management Standards and the scores available
is provided further down this document.
A Trail Registration Inspection Report is issued when the inspection has been completed. It confirms
whether the trail complies with the standards and details any outstanding issues. A copy of the scoring
sheet is included with this report.
If the trail meets the requirements it will be included on the National Trails Register and the Irish Trails
website www.irishtrails.ie maintained by the National Trails Office. These list all trails in Ireland that meet
the requirements of the Management Standards. The primary benefits are:
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A one-stop “shop window” for all trails which meet the standards.
Can be used with confidence for the promotion of trails nationally and internationally.
Provides clarity to users (domestic and international) on those trails which are maintained.
Provides a targeted focus for maintenance funding.
Provides a focus for the allocation of any maintenance funding.
Arranging for a Trail Registration Inspection
When all the development work is completed and the trail is ready the agency responsible can schedule a
Trail Registration Inspection with the National Trails Office by completing a Trail Registration
Inspection Checklist. A blank checklist form and guidelines for its completion is provided on the next
two pages.
February 2014
CHECKLIST FOR TRAIL REGISTRATION INSPECTION OF NATIONAL LOOP WALKS
1
Name of Trail
2
Agency Responsible
3
Name of Main Contact Person
4
Contact Address
5
6
7
8
9
10
Telephone Number
E-mail Address
Length of Loop (km)
Length on private property (km)
Number of landowners
Have all relevant landowners and
occupiers been consulted and given
permission?
Is the trail crossing an area with an
Environmental Designation?
Are there any National Monuments along
the trail?
If yes to questions 11 and 12, have
NPWS and/or the National Monuments
Services been consulted?
11
12
13
14
Are all the Requirements as recommended in
the Appraisal Report in place?
If not, please give details.
15
Have any changes been made to the
route of the Loop since the Appraisal
Report was issued?
16
If any changes have been made have
they been agreed with Frank Fahey?
Please list any of the requirements of the Management Standards for Recreational Trails
which have not yet been met for each of the headings below?
17
The Route
18
Waymarking
19
Trail Surface
20
Vegetation and Litter
21
Trail Furniture (see note below)
22
Car Parking at the trail head
23
Name of person nominated to
accompany the NTO/ISC Inspector
during inspection.
Do you require inclusion on the NTO/IPB
insurance policy to provide indemnity
insurance for private landowners?
Does your committee or group have
public liability insurance?
24
25
February 2014
I have personally inspected the entire trail route and confirm I have seen that all
development work is completed and all required trail furniture and waymarking is in place.
Signed:
Dated:
February 2014
Explanatory Notes For Checklist For Trail Registration Inspection Of Trail
Item 10
If land is rented to an occupier, permission should be obtained from both the landowner and
the occupier.
Item 21
Map board/information board does not need to be in place for Trail Registration Inspection of
National Loop Walks as they are usually supplied by Fáilte Ireland after the Trail Registration
Inspection.
Item 23
It is essential that a person nominated by the Management Committee accompanies the
NTO/ISC inspector to discuss any changes/additions that are required. This person must be
familiar with the trail.
Item 24
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 the National Trails Office/Irish Sports Council (NTO)/ISC and Irish Public
Bodies (IPB) Mutual Insurance Ltd.
Note that insurance for stretches of the public road, Coillte, etc, is normally provided by the
bodies concerned, and it is essential that this is discussed and clarified with them.
February 2014
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 National Trails Register and 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 the National Trails Register and www.irishtrails.ie.
The weighted scoring system, described above allows for a trail to be registered 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:
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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 site of
environmental, archaeological or architectural interest
Must have greater than 80% of the route off-road or on “suitable” roads.1
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” principles2. (5 points)
1
Suitable Road Sections will include; Minor roads and tarred boreens, roads with very low traffic levels, roads with a wide verge suitable for walking,
roads which provide a pleasant walking experience – e.g. good views, etc, roads which take the route through towns/villages where there is a footpath.
(National and Regional roads should not be used as part of a route other than where it is unavoidable for very short distances to link together sections of
a route).
Unsuitable Road Sections will include; Main roads (National or Regional roads), other highly trafficked or busy roads, minor roads or tarred boreens
used for long sections of the route, sections where there are high hedges, no views, etc.
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 be acceptable but should be updated to the “Leave No Trace” principles (endorsed by Comhairle Na Tuaithe) at
the earliest possible opportunity.
2
February 2014
2. Information Board at the trail head which includes (Does not need to be in place for final
inspection of National Loop Walks as usually supplied by Fáilte Ireland after Final Inspection):
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 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 purpose3 e.g. free from severe erosion and drainage problems. It
should not be water logged, have extended sections which are boggy or have deep mud along the
route such that it is difficult to walk through. (30 points deducted for each major issue up to
a max of 200 points)
“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 the NTO for further detail.
3
February 2014
5. Vegetation and Litter (100 points)
The route must be:
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 = 100
February 2014