Discover mining heritage from a different point of view
Zasavje region is very rich in mining heritage due to more than two centuries of mining tradition. Unfortunately, the latter is scattered throughout larger area and for that reason unknown to many locals. Due to the poor visibility of mining heritage, there is also a problem in its preservation and exploitation for tourist purposes.
Regional stakeholders have therefore decided to establish the Miners’ Hiking Trail "Good Luck", a thematic trail that provides hikers the access to mining heritage and thus raises the awareness about heritage and its importance for regional development. The Trail also connects with other thematic and recreational trails in the region and is intended for various target groups. On the one hand, it offers opportunities for recreation, education and discovery of natural, historical, and cultural sights of Zasavje region. On the other hand, it represents an infrastructure that contributes to the development of sustainable tourism, as hiking is becoming increasingly popular among tourists. In addition, the trail connects local tourist providers, thus increasing the additional tourist offer in the region.
The trail runs across the entire region and is more than 30 km long. In the future, it will also be extended to the neighbouring region which is very developed in spa tourism. The trail will thus invite tourist from neighbouring region to Zasavje.

Resources needed

To completely set-up The Miners’ Hiking Trail, the region investment is around 100.000 EUR. Additional funds, approximately 30.000 EUR, are also needed for the promotion of the Trail as a tourist product .

Evidence of success

Since the establishment of the Trail, the attractiveness of the mining sites increased:
- 20 information boards were placed along the Trail that inform people about the importance and history of mining sites.
- new cultural events (labour film & culinary festival) were organized along the trail
- since the opening of the trail in 2020, it is estimated that the trail lured 500 tourists/year in the region.

Difficulties encountered

Due to the large area, that is covered by the Trail, the main challenges were mostly related to the landownership. However, all the landowners allowed the routing of the Trail after they were approached and informed about the purpose of the trail by the regional municipalities, project stakeholders.

Potential for learning or transfer

The creation of the hiking trail was identified as an example of efficient preservation and sustainable exploitation of cultural heritage that could be transferred as a good practice to regions that have sites of cultural heritage scattered throughout larger area.
After the opening of the Trail, the importance of mining heritage increased, because the number of visitors of the mining sites increased substantially. The local stakeholders have also placed the information boards along the Trail, which raises the visibility and importance of the heritage. Other regions have also raised interest to expand the Trail onto their territory which will contribute to the increase of tourist activity in the region.

The creation of the Trail was thus identified as an example of efficient preservation and sustainable exploitation of cultural heritage that could be transferred as a good practice to regions that have sites of cultural heritage scattered throughout larger area.
Project
Main institution
ZASAVJE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Location
Vzhodna Slovenija, Slovenia (Slovenija)
Start Date
January 2020
End Date
Ongoing

Contact

Martin Sikovc Please login to contact the author.