International Standardization of Trail and Route Ratings for More Accessible Off-Road Cycling

Webinar Outline

The International Trail Rating System (ITRS) is a unified global framework for assessing and communicating trail difficulty, exposure, endurance and wilderness values across different types of trail-based recreation. This webinar introduces the ITRS methodology and its practical applications for non-motorized, multi-use and bike only trails as well as routes on both natural and paved surfaces, from urban greenways to remote backcountry environments. Participants will learn how ITRS improves user safety, inclusivity, and destination management through consistent signage, data-driven trail audits and clearer visitor information. Drawing on case studies from European destinations, presenters will share lessons learned from real-world implementation, including cross-border cooperation, communication challenges and stakeholder engagement. This session is ideal for trail planners, land managers, tourism professionals, consultants and advocacy organizations seeking a standardized, transparent way to evaluate and communicate trail experiences across multiple contexts. 

Key takeaways:

• How the four ITRS rating aspects apply to different trail types and surfaces
• How standardized difficulty ratings improve user safety and visitor satisfaction
• Practical steps for integrating ITRS into trail audits, mapping and signage systems
• Lessons from early adopters across Europe

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the four rating dimensions of the International Trail Rating System (ITRS): technical difficulty, exposure, endurance, and wilderness and explain how they apply to various trail types and user groups.
• Apply the ITRS framework to assess and communicate trail difficulty for non-motorized, bike only and multi-use trails across natural, paved, urban and backcountry environments.
• Identify strategies for implementing ITRS in trail planning, auditing and signage systems to enhance user safety, inclusivity, and visitor experience.

Location

This is a virtual training. See the event website for more details.

Trail Competencies

• Trail Maintenance
• • Maintenance Specifications

• Project Planning and Design
• • Trail Inventory and Assessment

• Program Administration
• • Communications

Relevant Trail Types

General. All trail types are relevant.