The rating/grading as ‘Leading Quality Trails- Best of Europe’ is an award as well as a transparent method to optimise the overall route infrastructure. The criteria can be used as a checklist and help countries that have to build up their walking route network. In countries that already have a functioning route network, such a system can strengthen walking tourism further.

The logo ‘Leading Quality Trails- Best of Europe’ is used on national as well as international trails. Certification is only available for complete trails. Prerequisite is a distance of at least 50km with three daily stages.
With the “Leading Quality Trails – Best of Europe“, the ERA sets a European standard bringing multiple uses for walking tourism: