Iranian Geography and Urban Planning Association Sustainable city 2476-6631 2 4 2020 02 19 Explanation of Health Function Factor in Development of Mountain Walkability as a Recreational Approach Case Study: Ilam City Explanation of Health Function Factor in Development of Mountain Walkability as a Recreational Approach Case Study: Ilam City 47 64 103933 10.22034/jsc.2020.189665.1042 FA Mohsen Shaterian Associate Professor of Ecotourism, Kashan University, Kashan, Iran Sedigheh Kiani Salmi Associate Professor of Ecotourism, Kashan University, Kashan, Iran Masoumeh Biglari M.A of Ecotourism, Kashan University, Kashan, Iran Journal Article 2019 10 04   Highland hiking trails have attracted a lot of attention as a popular recreational activity that enables visitors to interact with nature. The natural location of Ilam city and its proximity to the mountains and the beautiful valleys around it have led to make the hiking in highland paths of Ismail Khan Castle and Arghavan Gorge. Since health goal has been considered as one of the most important functions in walking paths, the present study has been explaining the function of health factor in expanding mountain walkability as a recreational approach. This study in terms of its purpose is applied research and based on its nature and method is descriptive-analytical research. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire with 77 general and specialized questions. The validity of the research instrument was estimated by experts and its reliability was calculated by using of Cronbach's alpha coefficient at the rate of 0.846 has been approved. SPSS and AMOS software were used to do descriptive and statistical analysis, such as T single sample and structural equation modeling respectively. Required maps were also prepared by using of ARCGIS software. The results of structural equation modeling indicate that the main reason for the presence of people in mountainous trails was consideration of physical and mental health. A meaningful level of less than 0.05 in all cases examined confirms this. physical health with 0/33 factor load had a greater role than mental health with 0/20 on the desire of tourists to be further present. There was a significant correlation between the two dimensions with 0/44 regression weight at 95% confidence level. Naturally, this emphasizes on the necessity and responsibility of urban planners to create places that are more walkable.   Highland hiking trails have attracted a lot of attention as a popular recreational activity that enables visitors to interact with nature. The natural location of Ilam city and its proximity to the mountains and the beautiful valleys around it have led to make the hiking in highland paths of Ismail Khan Castle and Arghavan Gorge. Since health goal has been considered as one of the most important functions in walking paths, the present study has been explaining the function of health factor in expanding mountain walkability as a recreational approach. This study in terms of its purpose is applied research and based on its nature and method is descriptive-analytical research. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire with 77 general and specialized questions. The validity of the research instrument was estimated by experts and its reliability was calculated by using of Cronbach's alpha coefficient at the rate of 0.846 has been approved. SPSS and AMOS software were used to do descriptive and statistical analysis, such as T single sample and structural equation modeling respectively. Required maps were also prepared by using of ARCGIS software. The results of structural equation modeling indicate that the main reason for the presence of people in mountainous trails was consideration of physical and mental health. A meaningful level of less than 0.05 in all cases examined confirms this. physical health with 0/33 factor load had a greater role than mental health with 0/20 on the desire of tourists to be further present. There was a significant correlation between the two dimensions with 0/44 regression weight at 95% confidence level. Naturally, this emphasizes on the necessity and responsibility of urban planners to create places that are more walkable. https://www.jscity.ir/article_103933_ccc92ab81c7a7fcd3051fba4da2a22fb.pdf