From the Kilian Jornet Foundation we embark on a project of great environmental impact, directing our efforts towards the restoration of mountain trails and degraded areas.
This initiative, based on three fundamental lines of work, is seen as a beacon of change in the preservation of natural mountain environments.
As part of the Cursa Tomir celebrated in Mallorca on March 31st, Nnormal and the Kilian Jornet Foundation partner to invite you to join us in this three-hour volunteering activity, celebrated in the municipality of Pollença. The objective of the event is to restore a degraded trail in the area, while we learn about the environmental implications that this type of situation causes in the environment. During the day we were accompanied by a specialist who explained and gave details of everything we did and why we were restoring this area.
Thanks to the collaboration with Bcorp Spain, we carried out a volunteer action in the Cap de Creus Natural Park. We focused on restoring a crucial trail to protect this unique maritime-terrestrial landscape on the northern side of the Costa Brava, which attracts half a million visitors annually. On this occasion we were accompanied by Xavi Laporta, founding member of Margers de Catalunya, who led the restoration using his experience in the dry stone technique. During two hours we improved the signage and maintenance of the trail, combating erosion and improving the visual appeal of the park in one of its busiest areas.
On Saturday, October 12th, the Kilian Jornet Foundation teamed up with Kia Fjällmaraton for a successful trail restoration day! We worked on the trail from Bottnenvägen to Sörbottnen, replacing old planks to protect the sensitive wetlands before winter sets in. It was a great day of giving back to the trails we love, while learning about sustainable trail maintenance.
From June 5–8 in Åre, Sweden, the Kilian Jornet Foundation and Fjällmaraton team host a camp combining trail running and trail restoration. The purpose is to restore the section between Grofjället and Hållfjället, using different techniques. The wet climate, snow, and cold temperatures make the terrain especially vulnerable to erosion and damage from trail use. In these areas, we find sensitive plants like blueberries and cloudberries that can take up to 10 years for blueberries and 50 years for cloudberries to recover when they get damaged.
The Hitachinokuni Long Trail is a 200-mile/320-km long trail that spans six cities and towns in northern Ibaraki Prefecture at the northern tip of the Kanto region. What kind of nature, people, and culture exists here? By hands of Mr. Ikuo Wada, we were able to discover more about these amazing trails, and we participated in a Trail Work journey together with NNormal Japan.
On March 22nd, together with NNormal, we organized the very first Restore The Trails event in Asia. It took place in Wenling, China, where nearly 60 people joined. Thanks to the dedication and teamwork of all the volunteers, we managed to collect over 50 kg of waste that had been discarded in nature.
This was just the beginning. There’s still so much more to be done, and Restore The Trails in Asia is only getting started. A huge thank you to everyone who took part in it and that helped make it happen. Looking forward to the next one!
A 90-metre section of Trail 119, which connects the Malniu Refuge with the Malniu Lake, has been restored through the clearing of 92 metres of stones and the construction of natural stone steps to stabilise the terrain and prevent erosion. The action has improved the safety and accessibility of the path, reduced the environmental impact on the high mountain ecosystem, and contributed to the conservation of fragile biotopes. It is estimated that over 5,000 hikers use this trail every year. The intervention also included a participatory and educational component to raise awareness among volunteers and the local community.
This action is part of a project funded by the Government of Catalonia entitled: “Conservation and Compatibility of Uses in the High Mountains of the EIN Tossa Plana de Lles and Puigpedrós and the EIN Tossals d’Isòvol i Olopte.”
Over 20 volunteers came together to restore and improve the Five Lakes Trail above Alpine Meadows, a route familiar to local trail runners and part of iconic races like the Broken Arrow Skyrace and Western States 100. In collaboration with Truckee Trails Foundation, Donner Party Mountain Runners, and NNormal, the group spent the morning clearing and maintaining the trail under the guidance of the Truckee Trails Foundation. The initiative aimed not only to protect and preserve access to this special natural area but also to foster community through shared action and care for the environment.
Two short wooden boardwalks, totaling 12 meters, were built to protect two wet sections of the trail in the Les Airelles area of Font-Romeu. These structures help prevent soil compaction and erosion caused by heavy foot traffic, while offering hikers a safer and more comfortable passage.
Restoration carried out as part of the project “Conservation and Compatibility of Uses in the High Mountains of EIN Tossa Plana de Lles and Puigpedrós, and EIN Tossals d’Isòvol i Olopte.” This action was conducted in collaboration with Transpirenaica Social Solidaria (TSS), which brought 11 young participants, and Wikiloc.
In collaboration with Jefferson County Open Space, Runners for Public Lands, and Trail Runner Volunteers. Together, we worked to maintain and restore the Village Walk Trail, improving its condition for hikers and runners while protecting the surrounding natural environment.
We organized this activity in collaboration with the Truckee Trails Foundation. We installed two new signs and significantly improved a stream crossing, making the trail safer and more accessible for all users while protecting the surrounding environment.
