Karel Saarna magTÖÖ 27.05.2010 - Rõuge Racing Team

Estonian University of Life Sciences
Kreutzwaldi 1, Tartu 51014
Abstract of Master's Thesis
Author: Karel Saarna Speciality: land management
Title: The study of options to create mountain biking trail network in the Rõuge-Haanja
region
123 pages 16 figures 12 tables 17 appendixes
Department:
Field of research:
Supervisor(s):
Place and date:
geomatics
land use planning
lector Siim Maasikamäe
Tartu, 2010
The use of hiking trails for mountain biking is an increasingly popular trend. During the
last decade, the number of people keen on the sport of mountain biking has increased in
Estonia, this is demonstrated by the numbers of participants in biking marathons. The
increasing number of mountain bikers has raised the need for studies concerning this
growing line of business.
The aim of this Master’s thesis is to compile a rough plan of a mountain biking trail
network and a centre for the Rõuge-Haanja tourist region in Võrumaa that takes into
account the needs of different parties and satisfies them. The rough plan would be
echoed in the thematic plan of Võrumaa. The research task was to examine the
possibilities of developing mountain biking sports. The research involved
questionnaires to the biking amateurs, local residents and the region’s land owners.
Interviews were made with the representatives of local governments, county
governments and Environmental Board to develop a rough plan that would meet the
needs of the institutions involved in the planning process.
The analysis of research results demonstrated that all participants were interested in the
development of a mountain biking centre in the region of Rõuge-Haanja. The mountain
biking amateurs prefer to see the trails in nature where the conditions are more extreme
and the surroundings are more private while the local residents value road pavement
with good passability. The length of trails should depend on the users: trails of up to 15
km for recreational sportsmen, 25–50 km trails for bikers, 20–35 km trails for tourists to
get acquainted with the region. The mountain biking trails are seen in co-use with hikers
and ski hikers, and they can be used for organising biking competitions, but the attitude
is more reserved towards horse trips and motor vehicle trips. The landowners are not
worried by the fact that the trails pass through their property, if ground maintenance has
been guaranteed and no damage is inflicted upon the land owner. Among the services
provided on the trail, the existence of maps, markings, washing facilities and catering
are preferred. The key issue is the binding of the centre with entrepreneurship and
bringing a return to ensure that the project of mountain biking centre were selffinancing
and sustainable.
Keywords: thematic plan, recreation planning, mountain biking trails