Leading the OnTrail Initiative: Interview with Christoffer Riis Svendsen

In this interview, we meet Christoffer, a key figure in the DIRTT project and Denmark’s booming trail building scene, to learn how his passion for riding modified bikes in the ’80s and his involvement in local volunteer work led him to become one of Europe’s first formally accredited trail building managers, as well as the mastermind behind the OnTrail project – officially grading more than 400 mountain bike trails across Denmark

Fast forward two decades and many bikes later, I volunteered with the local bike club to establish the first official mountain bike trail, primarily using existing trails and gravel paths in the forest. It officially opened in 2011 and has continued to develop and expand ever since.

I started attending the annual National Trail Builder Conferences and in 2016 attended the first IMBA Trail Builder School in Denmark. This experience sparked my interest in learning as much as possible, and it remains a strong passion of mine.

I have a background in construction, teaching, and management, and more than a decade of experience working on various sports-related projects. In 2017, I was fortunate to get the position of project manager for the OnTrail project, a three-year initiative aimed at making Danish trails more attractive and safer while implementing a national grading and signage system. It became a huge success on many fronts and established a solid position.

I currently work as a consultant at DGI, managing the OnTrail program and supporting volunteers, municipalities, landowners, and other stakeholders. In 2023, I graduated from Europe’s first formal education program in Mountain Bike Trail Planning, Construction, and Maintenance at Viken Higher Vocational College.

DGI is a partner in the DIRTT project, and I’m contributing to this initiative.

What is the best and worst part of being a trail builder?

I don’t really call myself a trail builder. I consider myself more of a trail consultant, assessor, and trail rater, aiming to help advocate for and develop trails in every way I can.

The best part is being invited out to ride with the trail builders on their local trails. I love hearing their stories, thoughts, and plans for their builds, and then offering qualified advice while assessing the trail. Trail building in Denmark is almost entirely done by enthusiastic volunteers – and they are the real heroes!

It’s also a great pleasure to meet many interesting people from around the world at conferences, courses, and educational events, learning from their experiences. That really motivates me.

The hardest part is telling a local volunteer that a section of the trail they’ve built doesn’t meet the agreed standards—whether it’s poorly constructed, unsafe, or simply not suitable. Another ongoing challenge is the need to consistently advocate for both creating new trails and preserving existing ones.

What is the project you are most proud of – and why?

I’m most proud of the success of the OnTrail project. What started as a part-time job for three years, with a goal of rating 100 trails in Denmark, has now become a strong and highly recognized program. It turned into a full-time job after the first year and now includes around 400 trails, skills areas, bike parks, and pump tracks in the system.

What positive impacts have you seen trail building have in your region, and what are some common challenges or negative aspects?

There are several positive impacts. We try to develop and build trails as sustainably as possible. We now have many purpose-built trails, which are much better planned in terms of habitats and the needs of other visitors to nature. The trail difficulty rating system now provides riders with a choice of trails that suit their skill level.

Common challenges include the presence of mountain bikers sharing the same small areas of nature with everyone else. Denmark is a small country with limited natural spaces, and we all want our share of it for our respective interests.

And finally, what are three things that would benefit the future of trail building in your opinion?

1. A better common understanding that the development of well-planned recreational infrastructure benefits both nature and people.
2. More knowledge and education about what, how, and where to build.
3. Encouraging mountain bikers (and trail builders) to join local clubs. Getting more people organized at the local and national level would give much more leverage in every way.
   

Photos: Pete Scullion & Lars Wraae Jensen