Methodology

There are mainly three processes to fit a set of new hiking trails on the Vancouver Island in this project.The first process is to locate the best starting point of the trails and campsites nearby. The best starting location needs to have a high tourism capacity in order to ensure a certain amount of hikers to access the new trails. Thus, the starting point needed to be close to the highway. If there are more than one locations meet the above characteristics, the elevation will be introduced as a third characteristic to evaluate the suitability of the point. A low elevation will have a warmer temperature ad it is more suitable to have outdoor activities all year round.

The next process is to calculate the cost friction map. The cost friction is based on seven different carities. The water area and the protected area are the restricted areas and the public cannot pass through. The other five characteristics are used to find the best and most suitable path for the trails. The most important characteristic is the slope of the trail, and the second main characteristic is the elevation of the trail. The trail cannot be sitting too close to the road in order to keep out of noise and provide a fresh air environment. Furthermore, the trail should also stay away from the hunting area for the hikers' safety.

The last process is to find out the easiest pathway between Port Alberni and overnight campsites. The trail is calculated from the starting point near Port Alberni going toward to the St. Mary's Lake campsite. Then making the St. Mary’s Lake campsite as the starting point of the second trail and extends it to the Mount Arrowmith campsite. From the Mount Arrowmith campsite we will fit the final trail going back to the starting point, Port Alberni. All together these three hiking trails will complete as a loop of trail for a three-day hiking trip.