The project is funded by the Research Council of Norway and is led by the Institute of Transport Economics (TØI). The project will run from 2026 to 2029.

More people than ever are spending time outdoors, whether hiking, cycling, skiing, paddling, or exploring Norway’s natural environments. This brings many benefits for health, well-being, and local communities. At the same time, increased activity in nature also leads to more accidents and injuries.

Climate change is creating more unpredictable weather and changing conditions in many areas, which can increase risks for people enjoying the outdoors. Despite this, we still know too little about where, how, and why accidents happen in natural environments.

TryggNaTur is working to improve this knowledge so that injuries can be prevented and outdoor experiences can be made safer.

What are the goals of the project?

The project has three main goals:

• Reduce the number of accidents, injuries, and serious incidents in natural environments.
• Improve knowledge about how accidents occur and how they can be prevented.
• Develop tools and solutions that support prevention, preparedness, and rescue services.

How will we achieve this?

The project will:

• Collect and analyse information about accidents and injuries
• Identify common risk factors and causes
• Test and evaluate injury-prevention measures
• Develop a digital accident database
• Create tools that support decision-making for prevention and emergency preparedness

The results will help authorities, healthcare services, rescue organisations, and outdoor recreation stakeholders make better-informed decisions.

Data collection in Hallingdal on injuries related to outdoor recreation and activities in nature

As part of the project, we are collecting information about injuries that occur during outdoor recreation and activities in nature in Hallingdal.

People who seek medical care following such an injury may be invited to participate in a short survey. The aim is to better understand where, how, and why these injuries occur.

The survey is being conducted in collaboration with emergency medical services and medical centres in:

• Ål
• Geilo
• Nesbyen
• Hemsedal
• Flå
• Gol

The Hallingdal Municipal Medical Officers Forum (KOLF) and the Hallingdal Regional Council are important partners in this data collection. For questions regarding the data collection, contact Hanne Beate Sundfør.

Project partners

TryggNaTur brings together organisations from research, healthcare, emergency preparedness, tourism, and outdoor recreation, including:

• Norwegian Institute of Public Health (NIPH)
• Buskerud County Municipality
• Joint Rescue Coordination Centre Norway (JRCC Norway)
• Hallingdal Regional Council
• Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection (DSB)
• Trolltunga AS
• Preikestolen 365
• Norwegian Coastal Administration
• Norwegian Safety Forum
• Norwegian Maritime Authority
• Mountain Medicine Research Cluster
• The Norwegian Trekking Association (DNT)
• Innovation Norway