It's early in the morning. I reach Martina and Jacky by phone near Scuol, just before they leave for their daily work and will have no reception for the rest of the day. Together with three other colleagues from the "Trailuniun» take care of the care of the Bike and hiking trails around Scuol.
Although I do not know them personally, our 20-minute conversation quickly develops into an inspiring exchange about road maintenance, coexistence and enthusiasm for her profession. Her passion makes me want to get out there and work on the trails again.
Martina and Jacky start their workday where other people go on vacation. Jacky, originally from Bavaria and an avid biker and trail builder in the region for over twenty years, now works in Val Sinestra. He's using an excavator to create a new trail toward Vnà – specially designed so that not only hikers can use the trail, but also e-bikers can climb and gravel bikers can descend. "Constructing 600 meters of new trail through steep, overgrown terrain would be impossible by hand. With the machine, we can do it in a reasonable amount of time," explains Jacky.
Martina, on the other hand, is heading to Champatsch today to take care of existing trails. "We monitor water hammer, remove large stones, and ensure the trail remains clearly visible," she explains. Martina, originally a landscape gardener from Biel, appreciates the versatility of her job, especially the direct contact with nature and people. "The gratitude of the hikers and bikers always makes up for the physical exertion." After two years in South America, Martina joined the Trailuniun team just this season.
Jacky and Martina are united by their passion for their profession and their love of nature. I sense this in every statement they make. They are accompanied by their two loyal trail dogs, who are always attentively by their side.
Jacky describes his work on the trails as a huge responsibility, as accidents caused by pedals or roots can never be ruled out. But at the same time, he enjoys the freedom and self-determination: "Every time I see a newly groomed section, I'm as happy as a little kid."
Both approach the challenges of their job with humor and pragmatism. "Nature is constantly working against us. Erosion, changing weather, unexpected damage – you never know exactly what to expect," explains Jacky. Martina adds: "Deciding which tasks take priority is often challenging. But it's precisely this variety that makes the job so exciting."
Jacky is particularly concerned about shortcuts taken by hikers, which cause severe damage to the trails. "We deliberately build curvy paths to avoid erosion. When people take shortcuts, they destroy the vegetation and cause damage that we have to painstakingly repair."
This is an exciting realization for me. In my daily work promoting coexistence, I often hear the same complaints – but mostly about bikers. I believe that in the end, everyone goes wherever it's best: on the trail, but also in the city park. I still remember well how, as a child, I could overtake my parents on these very "pirate carts" while hiking.
In the end, the positive experiences far outweigh the negative ones for Martina and Jacky as well – especially the joy and gratitude of those who use the path.
Both are particularly passionate about inspiring young people to pursue their careers. "It's wonderful, diverse, and fulfilling," says Martina. Jacky adds with a laugh: "Anyone who wants to do that should start digging early. It's worth it."
Above all, they want openness and understanding from politicians and tourism regarding the importance of the trails. "The trails are the backbone of summer tourism. We need more support and openness to develop them sustainably," says Jacky, "otherwise we'll eventually run into a bottleneck."
With Martina, however, you can see how the two years in South America have shaped her: "Compared internationally, we are very lucky here with our paths and the support we receive."
At the end of the day, both are left with a feeling of deep satisfaction – creating and nurturing ways that connect people and make them happy. A backbreaking job that's both fulfilling and inspiring. And I'll definitely visit them someday and spend a day outdoors with them. That's what I promise myself, as I absentmindedly sip a cappuccino in my office, listening to the rain outside, and pounding away at the keyboard.
You can find out more about them in the corresponding interview!
And about the Wegmacher project itself?
Our project manager Kevin Suhr can answer all your questions here – so feel free to contact him!
