Mountain hikers have become better at spreading out this summer and more people are choosing to hike during the fall.
At the notorious and damaged Blanktjärn in the Vålådalen Nature Reserve in Västjämtland, for example, the number of visitors was halved this summer.
In addition, more hikers are coming during weekdays now in September, previously the pressure has been on the weekends, according to the Swedish Tourist Association.
This pandemic summer is also breaking visitor records in the mountains and more visitors mean increased wear and tear on the ground, but this year hikers have become better at finding new places.
– The media attention this spring has meant that we have actually had a halving of the number of visitors, as it looks over the summer months, says Wictoria Wadman, nature conservation officer at the Jämtland County Administrative Board.
What does this mean?
– It means a lot to nature, it has had another rest period in terms of wear and tear, both at Blanktjärn but also, above all, along the trails.
The fact that mountain hikers have become better at spreading out is also noticeable in the Swedish Tourist Association's (STF) bookings, where there has now been an increase in previously less visited places.
– It's great that everyone wants to discover something new but also takes responsibility for the fact that we can't be in the same place at the same time, says press manager Jenny Engström.
Another trend that STF sees in its bookings is that the summer season has been extended so that it is not concentrated in July, as in previous years, but has spread out during the autumn.
– Even now as we enter September, there are many hikers out on weekdays and not just on weekends, and that makes us all feel good, both nature and the animals.
At Blanktjärn in Vålådalen, the county administrative board introduced a ban on entry around the lake two years ago, and last summer several people who stepped over the barriers were fined. There are also positive changes this year, with no violations reported.
Ahead of next season New reserve regulations will be developed for the entire Vålådalen nature reserve, with hiking trails that attract hikers and mountain bikers from all over Sweden, and this may mean further restrictions.
– We have the possibility with regulations to restrict the right of access and what it is, and who it is and what activities will be affected, we cannot comment on now, says Wictoria Wadman.
Source: sverigesradio.se
