Feasibility Study of Himal Circuit Trekking Route Construction

Trails are a great asset to local communities, especially in disadvantaged rural communities and Himalayan
circuit where the construction and management of the road is not feasible, as the trails have high return
value for relatively low capital investment. The trekking trails are a great tourist attraction especially in
the naturally scenic country Nepal to explore the magnificent mountain landscapes and unique cultures.
The construction and management of the trekking trails are thus vital for the economic growth and can
also serve as pathway of connection and avenues for development and livelihood.

For the preparation of the feasibility report of the trekking route, the feasibility is mainly divided in two
groups, namely, survey feasibility and technical feasibility. For the conduction of the survey feasibility,
preliminary reconnaissance survey is conducted with the help of GPS and SW Maps. During the
reconnaissance survey, the compatibility of the trail and the carrying capacity in terms of Ecology, Social,
Physical and Recreational are studied. A checklist consisting of the trail standards in terms of Health and
Cleanliness, Safety and Security, Signage and grading, maintenance and facilities to be maintained along
the trail throughout its operation period.

The main methodology used for the reconnaissance survey of trail is GPS (Global Positioning System). GPS
or Global Positioning System is a satellite navigation system that furnishes location and time information
in all climate conditions to the user. GPS is used for navigation in planes, ships, cars and trucks also. The
system gives critical abilities to military and civilian users around the globe. GPS provides continuous real
time, 3-dimensional positioning, navigation and timing worldwide.

Figure 1 Working Mechanism of GPS

Along with GPS, SW Maps are vital for the survey in case of a trekking trail. With the help of SW Maps,
mobile mapping app for collecting, presenting and sharing geographic information. SW Records points,
lines, polygons and even photos and have them displayed over your choice of background map, and attach
custom attribute data to any feature. SW Maps involve attribute types which includes text, numbers, an
option from a predefined set of choices, photos, audio clips and videos. Share the collected data with
other users as Geopackages, KMZ or shapefiles, or export them to your device storage. Also share and
export recorded data as Spreadsheets (XLS/ODS) or CSV files.
 Figure 2 Working Methodology of SW Maps

During the conduction of survey using the SW app, KML file of the proposed trail alignment are prepared
in GIS software and loaded in the SW apps as shown in the image above. Various attributes of the trail are
then recorded in the SW app in form of text, polyline and photographs, which can then be transferred to
GIS and Civil 3D applications for further designing process.

After the GPS survey is finished, measurement using taping method, photogrammetric survey and total
station are conducted based on the location and feasibility for conduction of the detailed engineering
design.

The technical feasibility part of the trekking route construction mainly depends upon the usages type and
purpose characteristics. The purpose characteristics is concerned with scenic, duration, guiding, facilities
en route, directional information, level of exertion, difficult grading, ascent/descent per day, trail surface
width and cross slope, environmental character and risk management. These aspects are Considered for
the preparation of the technical feasibility of the trekking trail. The width of the trail is fixed based on the
service level and number of users.

FORMULA
 Figure 3 Various Carrying Capacity to be Checked

With the above information, various tread and rise are specified for design in various sections of the trail
depending upon the grade and slope. For this purpose, the initial design is purposed based on the slope
map formed from the 20 m contour map in GIS software and then is later modified based on the surveyed
data. Besides the rise and tread, the adjoining landscapes, drainage (adjoining or formation of open catch
drain along the section), trail foundation, trail obstacles and erosion control are given due consideration
during the design portion of the trekking trail report.

The proposed trekking trail circuit is then prepared by the team of experts and presented to the local
people for discussion and consent. The local people are encouraged to provide feedbacks on the proposed
project. These suggestions are discussed by the experts for finalization and incorporation in the proposed
project before making conclusions. The final report containing the detailed methodology, reconnaissance
study, evaluation scheme, local people suggestions and final concluded project with alternate report draft
design is then verified from the Department of Tourism before the submission of the final feasibility report
with alternative draft design to Department of Tourism (DOT).
 SW Maps Carrying Purpose
GPS Chracteristics
capacity

Grading,
Total Station, Altitude,
Photogramatic Exertion and
survey Risk
Management

SURVEY TECHNICAL
FEASIBILITY FEASIBILITY
Detailed Engineering Design of Himal Circuit Trekking Route
Detail Design

The detail design section includes the detail engineering design of the various infrastructure components
and point project components of the proposed project area. The detail design components is directly
obtained as per the gap analysis obtained from the various planning parameters taken into account.

The main purpose of the infrastructure development is to develop, improve and manage the various basic
infrastructure components of the proposed project area. In the case of Trail design and construction, the
main components involved are Trails, Landscaping and Drainage.

I) Trails:

For any tourism area, walking trials for the mobilization can be an attractive option for enjoying the
tourism attraction of the area. The detail design of the proposed trails is done based on the guidelines
and codes used in practice. Type of trails, Walking or Bicycle is chosen as per the site topography and
conditions. The fundamental prerequisites for the trail design are

 Trail Classification
 Trail Attributes
 Trail Characteristics
 Trail Foundation
 Trail Standards
 Managed Use
 Designed Use
 Design Parameters

There is no standard guideline except GHT trail standard guidelines for trail design such as Nepal Trail
Standard 2070, Nepal Rural Trail Standard 2045 etc. used for trail design in Nepal. Some basic guidelines
have been provided in GHT- Trail Standard Guidelines 2017. Therefore, several design aspects given in
GHT guidelines was used as much as possible while designing trail. Its various recommendations were
used while designing the trail. Overview of trail/trail design are: contour generation, horizontal alignment
fixation, Vertical alignment fixation, Cross section design, Quantity estimate etc.

II) Landscaping:

It includes the detail landscape design of the project area as per the existing environmental, social and
religious parameters directly linked with the specialty of the proposed tourism area. Landscaping includes
the clear picturization of the settlement type, housing types and proposed open space parameters of the
tourism area. The design should be responsive to the site conditions and its climatic factor. To achieve
this the planning will be done in such a way that the natural landscape and important structure in the site
are less transformed. Basic conceptual design of landscaping is done in the AutoCAD application, which is
given a detail 3D design in the SketchUp and rendered in the Lumion application. These activities give a
detail visual representation of the proposed project area.

III) Drainage:

The design of the drainage along the length of trail prevents the problems of flooding, erosion, and also
for channelization of existing water resources. The integration of the proposed drainage system with the
trail infrastructure is necessary for the easy drainage of the trail water and easement of R&M activities.
The use of locally available materials as per the detail material inventory survey is promoted. The
hydrological studies are conducted by hydrologist and necessary cross drainage and catch drains are
provided along the section of the trail.

IRC: SP: 13 (2004), IRC: SP: 50, 42 (2014), Nepal bridge standard 2067 and CPHEEO manual 2013

The planning model for the preparation of the trekking trail is shown in the diagram below:

Figure 4 Trail Planning Model

The Various components considered for the trekking trail design are as follows:

 Trail Surface

Trail construction requires creating a solid, sustainable trail surface. To do so, make sure that you locate
the trail on the contour. Forces such as soil type, annual precipitation, and other factors may influence
how long the tread remains stable before maintenance is needed. Elements that are considered and
impact the standards of the quality functioning of the trail surface include: Drainage, Erosion, Potential
erosion hazards. trail drifting or braiding, trail deviation, trail sagging, slipperiness, rockiness and
stoniness, sandiness and camber and cross-angle.

 Trail Width & Cross Slope

The surface width of the trail tread varies according to the different trail classes, aligned to the propose
and expected carrying capacity of each trail. The easy walking trails being mostly on compacted surface
should very in width form 1.2m to 1.5m. In areas where there is multiple use and heavier user number
wider passing area may be necessary.

 Trail Surface Gradient

Trail gradient is also referred to as the trail grade is the key factor contributing to tread stability. Trail
grades must be moderate to promote a stable, maintainable tread and a more pleasant hike. The trail
should be designed to traverse a hilly area with gentle changes in grade. To avoid erosion, the gradient
should normally be less than 10%Ñeven in steep terrain. Grades less than 7% in all soils are ideal.

 Trail Signage

To meet safety standards and mitigate damage to the trail landscape it is critical to help trail users stay on
a trail. Adequate and correctly placed signs and quality maps are the best way to achieve that, and to
ensure users don’t get lost or endanger themselves. Signs are the best tool in improving safety on any
trail. The cost of search and rescue parties and risk of legal consequences of trail users becoming lost are
reduced when signs are well maintained and effectively installed.

 Level of Exertion

The most scientific way to grade the difficulty of a trail is to calculate the effort (i.e. energy expenditure)
required. This is the basis of the difficulty grading system used in a number of countries now such a France
and South Africa. A ten-point effort scale is used and divided into four bands Easy (1 to <4), Moderate (4
to <7), Hard (7 to <10) Very Hard (10 <13) and Extreme (>13].

 Difficult Grading

The difficulty grading of a trail is a combination of skill requirements, level of exertion, estimated fitness
required and the nature of the terrain. It is a combination of subjective and objective criteria and aims to
give a general idea to the trail user of what is expected of them to be able to both complete the trail and
enjoy it in relation to their fitness levels and existing skill set.
  Risk Assessment

Risk is inherent on many trails and is to be expected. However, the trail authorities, operators and guides
have a responsibility towards the public and the trail users they attract to their trail. Operators and trail
managers need to gain a good working knowledge of the legal aspects that impact the trail. A risk
management process is essential to ensure authorities and operators lessen the chances of litigation and
insurance claims in case of an accident.

Flow Chart of Detailed Engineering Design

Figure 5 Detailed Enginnering Design Flowchart