Based on a literature review and compilation of frequently used approaches we developed an assessment scheme which clearly separates recreational value, recreational potential and recreational importance of a landscape. It suggests a multi-criteria matrix approach, which includes and combines infrastructure provision, disturbance and attraction, as well as local and touristic demand as additional dimensions. The approach can be applied on a national scale at a high spatial resolution of the input data and the calculated results. The approach leads to maps which can be used both in regional and national planning.