Innotour project - Erschmatt

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 +0200

Innovative nature trails

The Innotour program, which is funded by the federal government and the Swiss Parks Network, supports innovative "model projects" in the field of nature and cultural tourism. In 2025, the Erlebniswelt Roggen Erschmatt association and the Pfyn-Finges Nature Park submitted a project on the topic of "Innovative nature trails in a nature park" and received the necessary funding for its implementation.

There are countless nature trails; in Valais alone there are more than 290 (as of 2025). Unfortunately, many of them lose their appeal over time. The question therefore arises as to how a nature trail can be designed in an innovative and sustainable way today and at the same time sensitize visitors to the diverse natural treasures of a nature park. This report provides answers to this question. Following a literature review and a survey among the partners, a method entitled "IDEFIX - a clear structure for inspiring and surprising trails" was developed on the basis of an analysis of nature trails that have been rated as exemplary.

This method does not seek to reinvent the wheel. It is primarily aimed at structuring the considerations for designing an educational trail and proposing approaches for integrating an innovative dimension in each phase. The aim is to design an educational trail that meets the expectations of the various stakeholders (public, clients, municipalities, etc.) while offering real added value in terms of innovation. In the last part of the report, the method was tested on the "Floraweg" project planned on the Zälg agricultural terraces in Erschmatt. The Erlebniswelt Roggen Erschmatt association would like to create a themed trail on the flora of field flowers, i.e. the accompanying flora of cultivated plants.

Read the report

Surveillance of the nature reserve

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0100

The Pfyn forest has officially been designated as a protected area since 1997. Team Pfyn-Finges rangers are in charge of enforcing the codes of conduct.

Signalisation

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 00:00:00 +0100

The Federal Office for the Environment (BAFU) has drafted a uniform signalisation concept for the Swiss parks. The Pfyn-Finges Nature Park is continuously implementing measures that optimise visitor guidance. At strategically important points visitors will find interesting information about the region.

Guiding visitors | Naturpark Pfyn-Finges

Innotour project - Erschmatt

Surveillance of the nature reserve

Signalisation