The purpose of the trip was to visit treetop trails in the Black Forest of Germany and the Alsace of France. During the trip, 3 trails were visited and meetings were held with the trail project manager, Matthias Gütersloh, who introduced the construction process, maintenance costs and overall experience in building more than 20 treetop trails in Europe.
Video recordings from the excursions:
Websites of the sites visited:
Summary of the information obtained
Site Type & Environmental Considerations
- The area is a nature park (not a national park).
- Construction required strict compliance with environmental standards.
- All materials had to blend into the natural surroundings.
- Construction roads and infrastructure were carefully hidden after the project was completed.
- A special excavator with legs and wheels was used to minimize environmental disturbance.
- Paths were built with minimal impact on tree roots and without removing trees whenever possible.
Construction & Maintenance
- Structures are made of Douglas fir and larch – materials sensitive to moisture and fungi.
- The structures are modular – each part can be replaced individually.
- Maintenance includes:
- Replacing horizontal beams approximately every 10 years
- Replacing planks every 4–7 years depending on wood quality
- To reduce costs, multiplex cladding panels (2.5 m x 1 m) are used – about 15% cheaper and easier to replace than full beams.
- In winter, snow is cleared, leaving a 5 cm layer and adding gravel to prevent slipping.
- Maintenance is carried out using electric/mechanized vehicles; each unit costs around €10,000–€17,000.
Design & Architecture
- Bridges are constructed in 30-meter segments, lifted into place by crane.
- Towers and paths are uniquely designed for each site (e.g., the Dublin tower is shaped like a Guinness glass).
- Educational stations are mechanical, electricity-free, and presented in three languages.
- Accessibility is a core principle: max incline of 6%, average 4%, suitable for wheelchair users.
Locations & Visitor Statistics
- Operated in Germany, Czech Republic, France, Austria, Malaysia; a project in Niger is currently paused.
- Most visited site: near the Polish border – 400,000 visitors in 6 months.
- Break-even point: 220,000 visitors per year. Many sites exceed 250,000.
- Engineering capacity: up to 16,000 visitors simultaneously.
- Tickets sold online and via 2 cashiers; no daily visitor limit, ticket price starts at €11.50 per person.
Educational & Recreational Features
- Education without electricity: mechanical panels and tactile learning stations.
- Paths are suitable for children and seniors, with interactive installations.
- Entertainment features include glass floors, slides, and 3D winter light installations.
Weather, Safety & Operations
- Active weather monitoring and evacuation protocols are in place during storms.
- Paths are evacuated in case of lightning or high winds.
- Structures are designed to withstand strong wind loads and storm conditions.
- Lightning strikes have occurred but caused minimal damage due to effective planning.
- Cleaning and repair are performed between seasons by maintenance teams.
Team & Operations
- The company employs approximately 350 people in total, with around 15 staff at each site.
- Local teams handle maintenance (2–3 technicians per site).
- Construction involves a combination of manual labor and machines to accommodate delicate environments.
Land Use & Ownership
- Most sites are rented from local municipalities.
- One location is company-owned due to a low-cost land purchase (formerly a military site converted for tourism with community support).
Accessibility & Inclusion
- Strong emphasis on inclusivity – rehabilitation clinics use the trails for therapy.
- Dogs are generally not allowed, but special “dog days” are organized.
- The design accommodates wheelchair users, building on prior experience with climbing platforms for people in wheelchairs.
Based on the excursion recordings and gathered information, the report was prepared by Matijs Babris and Anna Saļņikova.
“Nature and Active Tourism Cooperation Network” (Project No. 1.2.3.6/2/24/A/001)
Event program:
25.03.2025.
17:00 Trip from the airport to the hotel at the “Treetop Walk Black Forest”
19:00 Dinner with trip coordinators and representatives of JSC Latvijas Valsts mežu
26.03.2025.
9:00 Breakfast
10:00 Trip to “Treetop Walk Black Forest”
10:30 Guided tour “Treetop Walk Black Forest”, guided by project manager Matthias Gütersloh
12:00 Trip to “Chemin des Cimes Alsace”
13:30 Lunch (Joined by Matthias Gütersloh and Audrey Kastner)
14:30 Guided tour “Chemin des Cimes Alsace”, guided by project manager Matthias Gütersloh
16:00 Trip to hotel (Saarschleifenlodge)
18:00 Dinner with trip coordinators and representatives of JSC Latvijas Valsts mežu
27.03.2025.
09:00 Breakfast
10:00 Guided tour “Treetop Walk Saarschleife”
11:30 Departure to the airport
14:30 Arrival at the airport
This time, the FAM trip welcomes seven tour operators and media representatives from the UK! 
