A step in the right direction
Alex Redmond
A Cork forest has been chosen to pilot some new technology which provides real time information for walkers and hikers.
Farran Forest Park is taking part in an initiative which aims to offer a new way for local and visiting outdoor enthusiasts to experience the forest by providing walkers and hikers with real-time forest and walking trail insights before and during their visits.
It a project between Coillte and the HiiKER app, an Irish start up founded by Paul Finlay in Meath.
The app curates the best hikes for users and works with map developers and cartographers to bring verified route information to the public.
As part of this project, HiiKER’s Parks and Recreation functionality will be enhanced. It will provide vital information about Coillte forests. This includes: trail distances, accessibility reports and difficulty levels. Users will also benefit from real-time updates on trail busyness, parking, food options and toilet facilities. After the pilot programme in Cork, HiiKER’s services will expand to more Coillte forests across the country.
Daithi de Forge, Head of Recreation at Coillte: “Coillte forests attract an average of 18 million visits annually and we are delighted to partner with HiiKER on this pilot which aims to enhance the walking and hiking experience across several of our beautiful forests.
“This innovative programme supports our commitment to enhancing the recreational, social and wellbeing benefits from our forests and to making them more accessible and enjoyable for all.”
The app has already helped more than 1 million hikers to plan and navigate their hiking adventures all around the world. Paul Finlay, HiiKER CEO: “We are excited to join forces with Coillte to launch this innovative pilot programme that will transform the way people explore Ireland's forests. Our new HiiKER Parks and Recreation functionality and Coillte's extensive database of recreational maps and data, enables the public to explore Coillte forests like never before. We’re encouraging everyone to download the app for free and start exploring these forests today.”