Well-accessible routes do not arise by themselves – whether hiking trail, Bike trail or shared path. You need Planning, craftsmanship, and regular maintenance. At ALLEGRA, we have been supporting communities, organizations, and crews for many years in maintaining their grounds independently and professionally. Our goal: long-lasting, low-maintenance, and environmentally friendly infrastructure that is not only built, but also understood and maintained.
ARMENIA – HERE WE COME
In 2025 we were awarded by the organization HIKEArmenia invited to train local teams in trail maintenance in four regions – Syunik, Vayots Dzor, Lori, and Tavush. Trail Specialist Gerry Cusini was on site and led the course. He has been part of the A-Team for six years and has been active in international trail construction for over 15 years.
On-site, Gerry assisted the crews in assessing, improving, and maintaining existing trails. The focus was on practical skills: handling tools, reading the terrain, directing water, and understanding lines.
PRACTICAL AND TERRAIN-SPECIFIC
The courses covered fundamental principles that apply everywhere – from the Alps to the Caucasus:
Water management and erosion control: How can rain be diverted in a targeted manner?
Line selection with an eye for the terrain: Which route works in the long term without weakening the slope?
Small infrastructure for consolidation: Steps, crossings or walls built from what is available on site.
Use tools correctly: Efficient, safe – and with respect for the environment.
For us it is not just about How, but above all about WhyOnly those who understand the interrelationships can independently find good solutions – whether for hikers, mountain bikers, or mixed uses.
BIG GOALS WITH BIG LOCAL IMPACT
HIKEArmenia has big plans for this year:
-
118 kilometers of new routes are being built
-
570 kilometers of existing network maintained
Such figures demonstrate that the need is great – and almost impossible to meet without local expertise. Our task is to build and share this know-how, using simple tools, clear principles, and extensive experience from various regions.
EXPERIENCE THAT LASTS
What's happening in Armenia is part of a larger movement. We conduct numerous maintenance and trail building courses every year – for example, in Graubünden, Finland, and alpine tourism areas. These cover traditional hiking infrastructure as well as modern bike trails and shared paths.
What they all have in common is the claim: easy to care for, robust, environmentally friendly – and looked after by local teams.
For us, trail maintenance isn't just about technique. A well-built trail creates a connection: to the landscape, to the history of a place—and to one's own movement within it. Or as Gerry put it in Armenia:
“A good trail brings people into contact: with the landscape, with each other, and with the history of a place.”
Anyone who wants to balance tourism and nature needs functioning trails – and people who know how to maintain them. Our training courses are designed to provide just that: practical, understandable, and with an eye for the terrain.
Whether you are a community, destination or local crew: If you want to maintain existing infrastructure or build sustainable routes yourself – we are happy to support you.
In the bike sector, it is worth taking a look at our partners from Graubünden bike, where we regularly Maintenance courses offer.
Or contact us directly – whether for hiking trails, shared trails or completely new projects.
Because a good trail starts with an understanding of how it needs to be built – and maintained.
