1990년대 중반부터 신체활동을 장려하는 방식의 패러다임에 변화가 일어났으며, 그 중에서 걷기는 신체활동 중에서도 가장 적합한 유형으로 간주되고 있다. 산막이옛길은 자연친화적이며, 경관이 매우 아름다운 곳으로 남녀노소가걷기에 쾌적하며, 흥미로운 다양한 스토리도 보유하고 있어서 걷기 여행자들의 탐방수요가 꾸준한 곳으로 보행환경분석및 효율적인 운영관리를 통하여 활성화 방안에 관한 연구를 수행하였다. 본 연구의 목표는 첫째, 걷기여행길의 개념 재정립, 둘째, 괴산군 및 산막이옛길 지역환경 및 관광현황분석, 셋째, 산막이옛길의 안전을 저해하는 요소들에 적극 대응하기 위하여 대한 현장탐색과 분석을 통하여 안전성 제고 방안 제시, 넷째, 자연친화적인 길 조성을 바탕으로 이루어진산막이옛길을 걸으면서 걷기 여행에 필요한 여행길 정보, 주변관광자원 정보, 숙박시설, 화장실, 식당, 휴식장소 등의 편의시설을 갖춘 편리한 서비스제공으로 걷기여행자들의 만족을 제고시키는 방안을 제시하였다. 다섯째는 안전성과 편리성을 위한 개선방안을 포함한 효율적인 관리방안을 모색하여 산막이옛길의 경쟁력 제고와 활성화에 기여하고자 한다.
Since the mid-1990s, there has been a paradigm shift towards promoting physical activities. In particular, walking is considered the most suitable type among the physical activities. Sanmaki Old Trail is a nature-friendly path with exceptionally beautiful scenery, providing a pleasant route for people of all ages. It also has interesting and various stories, drawing walking tourists’ steady visits. Therefore, this study is conducted to find the plan for efficient management and activation for trekking. The purpose of this study is to identify the unique and diverse factors that Sanmaki Old Trail features, to examine the overall current status, safety, convenience, and operational management of the trail in order for its sustainable growth, to find problems and solutions, and thereby to suggest the plan for activating the trail by associating with neighboring tourist sites, incorporating various programs, and building infrastructure. The specific objectives of the study are as follows: The first one is to re-establish the concept of walking travel path. The second one is to analyze the local environment and tourism status of Goesan-gun and Sanmaki Old Trail. The third one is to suggest a safety enhancement plan through on-site exploration and research in order to proactively respond to the factors undermining safety. That is because Sanmaki Old Trail, which can utilize both mountainous paths and river routes, encompasses various risk factors due to large-scale development and frequently changing surrounding environments. The fourth one is to present the plan for improving walking tourists’ satisfaction by providing convenient services, including travel path information, information on nearby tourist resources, accommodation facilities, restrooms, restaurants, and rest areas, while the tourists walk along the Sanmaki Old Trail based on a nature-friendly path. The fifth one is to find the efficient management strategies, including safety and convenience improvements, to enhance the competitiveness and activation of Sanmaki Old Trail.