On hiking trails in Sweden, you will often find plank structures like these. Usually to cover marshy areas that can’t be hiked through (that easily) in wet, muddy conditions. I think it’s a very good thing to do. Anything to keep people hiking in the outdoors, eh?
Walk the plank(s)
Posted byAlive and TrekkingPosted inDestinations, Europe, Photography, SwedenTags:Hiking, landscape, landscape photography, nature, photo challenge, photography, sonofabeach96, Sweden, sweden 2011, Travel, travelblog, travelling, Which way

Published by Alive and Trekking
Dreamer. Adventurer. Traveller. Geek. Idealist. Nature. New Zealand, Nordic countries and the Arctic. View more posts
There’s large portions of the Appalachian Trail that are similar to these. You’re right. If it gets people out and on a trail, it’s a good thing. 😃
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Cool! I think it’s a common way to maintain trails. Indeed, it’s a good thing 😀
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Great idea to keep the shoes dry..
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Yes, indeed!
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Agreed – whatever gets people out! And look how greeeeeeen.
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Verrrrry green!! 🙂
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What a great idea!
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Indeed!
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I like seeing more of these planks. Although they might be a barrier to small wildlife they do protect the sometimes fragile ecosystems.
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I‘d like to think the small wildlife can get through underneath?
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Hmm. Some might, however my environmental training and field experiments from my university days says not. The animals see it as a barrier, much like a road. Even though they can easily cross these obstacles, for some reason they choose not to… and it does affect their reproductive potentials. Still they are definitely a good thing for tourists and the flora of the area.
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That’s a pity. I think those planks are mostly used to cover marshy areas, so that you won’t sink in the mud up to your knees!
In the Netherlands we have ‘land bridges’ in certain areas so that animals can cross safely across a high traffic road. I’ve also seen little tunnels under roads or cycle lanes for small animals to pass through. They seem to work well, so I’m glad about that!
It’s always going to be a fragile balance, isn’t it?
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The land bridges are a fantastic idea and more encouraging of small creatures to cross in safety. You summed it up nicely when you mentioned the fragile balance. And the wetlands are such a rich ecosystem!
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We’ve got to take care of our nature!
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How neat.
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🙂
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