Get involved in our Friendship Trail Opening Ceremonies

In October, the World Trails Network’s biennial World Trails Conference will be held in Perth, Western Australia. This year’s theme is “Trails to the Future: Connection, Culture & Conservation”, highlighting the evolving role of trails as catalysts for environmental stewardship, cultural understanding, and global connection.

The Bibbulmun Track Foundation is taking advantage of the international visitation to host two opening ceremonies for our recent Friendship Trails.

Friendship Trail Opening Ceremonies

• The Raknus Selu Trail ceremony will be held at the Northcliffe Visitors Centre on Saturday, 17 October at 10 am.

  For more information about the TMI, visit www.tmitrail.org.tw. Guided tours of their section will be held during their visit.

• The Transcarioca Trail ceremony will be held at the Northern Terminus on Monday, 19 October at 9:30 am

  For more information about the Transcarioca Trail, visit  https://trilhatranscarioca.com.br . A short walk will be organised around the event.

If you are interested in participating in the ceremonies, or both of these events please email the BTF Friendship Trail Project Manager, Ce, at friends@bibbulmuntrack.org.au. Please note, planning for these events is still in the early stages so further details may not be available immediately.

Signage for both trails is being progressed and will be at either end of the relevant section.

Connecting Trails Around the World

The World Trails Network (WTN) strives to connect the diverse trails of the world to promote the creation, enhancement and protection of outstanding trail experiences. The network brings trail associations, trail advocates, walkers, hikers and people passionate about the outdoors together from around the world to foster global collaboration and networking for the betterment of the world’s trails. Their signature program is the International Friendship Trails, of which the Bibbulmun Track Foundation is a member. Friendship Trails are similar to twin towns, whereby trails in different countries team up in the name of partnership, mutual publicity, and international cooperation. 

The concept of Friendship Trails is to spread awareness of trails across the globe, promoting international understanding and the culture of walking while boosting tourism and local economies. The Friendship promotes the sharing of information regarding the building and maintenance of trails and the ongoing management of trail organisations.

Bibbulmun Track Friendship Trails

The Foundation aims to link with nine international trails with common attributes to pair with each of the nine sections of the Bibbulmun Track. Currently, Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) are in place with the following trails: 

• Bruce Trail, Canada (since 2015) – Linked with the Balingup to Donnelly River Village section

• Jeju Olle Trail, South Korea (since 2015) – Linked with the Denmark to Albany section

• Transcarioca Trail, Brazil (signed 2019; opening October 2026) – Linked with the Kalamunda to Dwellingup section

• Camino de Costa Rica, Costa Rica (signed 2021; opening tba) – Linked with the Donnelly River Village and Pemberton section

• Raknus Selu Trail, Taiwan (signed 2024; opening October 2026) – Linked with the Pemberton to Northcliffe section

Progress is being made towards establishing MOUs with trails in the UK, US, and Europe.