Hiking, and more precisely, walking, applies certain pressure to the ground, which crucially induces the development of hiking trail erosion, a specific type of soil erosion. For the purpose of our research, we have chosen to analyse the Trnovo Plateau, with an emphasis on its hiking trails. The main body of the master's thesis is composed of the modelling of hiking trail erosion, using the model RUSLE (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation), the examination of four particularly endangered sections of the area, and the establishment of certain parallels between the endangerment due to hiking trail erosion and the forest cover, the slope and the soil erodibility. The data for the analysis has been gathered through a combination of fieldwork and office work, as well as through the modelling of geographic information systems. The empirical part presents a map of hiking trail erosion endangerment, as well as a list of specific sections of the trail which achieved the highest values through modelling. According to our findings, we have established that the hiking trails of the Trnovo Forest Plateau are at a relatively low risk from the viewpoint of hiking trail erosion, while certain sections in particular pose a higher risk. The latter are comprised by the most frequently visited areas such as the hills of Škabrijel, Kucelj, Čaven, and Golaki. The field inspection has confirmed the presence of erosion, mostly identifying the third and the fourth phase of trail erosion. The most endangered sections of the inspected trail correspond entirely to the areas with the most erodible soil, yet not with the highest slope grades and the most forest-covered areas, since they mostly run on lower slopes of up to 11°, and are predominantly surrounded by non-forest terrain. Hiking trail erosion intensifies due to the water and wind erosion of the soil, along with non-compliance with hiking regulations. The trail erosion is frequently decreased by a subtler slope, slipstream, resistant vegetation and a longer retention of snow. The findings of the research can be utilised by the Alpine Association of Slovenia along with local mountaineering societies, as they expose potentially eroded and endangered sections of hiking trails. The latter bears crucial importance for the safety of hikers and further conservation of hiking trails.
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