International Hiking Conference

At the invitation of FCMP - Federação de Campismo e Montanhismo de Portugal (Portuguese Camping and Mountaineering Federation), Domingos Pires, from PORTUGALNTN, a company specialising in hiking safety, was one of the speakers at the International Hiking Conference. 

“Hiking and Walking Trails, between Risk and Confidence” was the theme of the presentation by Domingos Pires, managing partner of PORTUGALNTN, one of the guest speakers at the International Hiking Conference, which took place in Vila do Gerês./ Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês.

These conferences were promoted by FCMP - Federação de Campismo e Montanhismo de Portugal e Município de Terras de Bouro, with the support of Universidade Lusófona - Centro Universitário Porto, with the central theme of ‘Safety and Risk on Pedestrian Routes’.

A group of prestigious and experienced specialists, technicians and trainers from five European countries: Portugal, Spain, France, Germany and Greece, shared their experiences, studies, research and best practices to make hiking even safer.

The speakers represented a wide range of organisations, including: Federação Europeia de Pedestrianismo (ERA), Federação Europeia de Montanhismo (EUMA), Rede Europeia de Desportos de Ar Livre (ENOS), Universidade de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Faculdade de Desporto da Universidade do Porto, Universidade Lusófona – Centro Universitário do Porto, Escola Superior de Desporto e Lazer (Melgaço), GNR de Montanha, Guardia Civil de Montaña, Gendarmerie de Montagne, PORTUGALNTN, among others.

During these conferences, some PORTUGALNTN guides were also awarded ‘ERA Walk Leader’ certificates, under the ERA – European Hiking Federation, attesting to their skills in guiding and leading hiking activities in a safe, responsible and environmentally sustainable manner, in accordance with European best practices.