IN SEARCH OF SILENCE – SOUND AS A TOURIST VALUE OF MOUNTAIN HIKING TRAILS

Abstract

Purpose. The aim of this work was to assess the sound landscape of two popular mountain trails located in often visited mountain regions – Gorce (the route to Turbacz) and the Beskid Wyspowy (the route to Luboń Wielki). The work focuses on relations between tourists and the soundscape. More and more often, searching for resting places, tourists choose quiet and peaceful places. On the one hand, they allow for relaxation and regeneration, while on the other, they allow for acquainting and understanding the surrounding nature better. Silence in terms of the ability to hear the most subtle sounds of nature, should be promoted as the basic tourist value of a given place. One cannot forget about the characteristic sounds of cultural origin that determine the spirit of a place. Methods. The usefulness of mountainous regions to create quiet and peaceful places suitable for rest and to promote these places as a tourist value was assessed. On the other hand, research has highlighted the impact of excessive tourism pressure on landscape and nature. During the research, the sound level and the inventory of characteristic sounds were measured. Findings. In the analysed period, both routes were characterised by high naturalness – the sounds of natural origin prevailed. The pressure caused by tourism was not very visible, as could be seen in the high activity of birds and small mammals, and in the possibility of hearing the subtle sounds of nature. In spring, on weekdays, such areas can be good places for rest and relaxation for residents of large urban agglomerations. However, the seasonality of tourist traffic also affects changes in the sound sphere of these places. Research and conclusions limitations. The research concerns only one season of the year (late spring) and weekdays. It is necessary to carry out this type of research at different times of the year and at the weekend to show the variability of this parameter in time and space. Practical implications. Research indicates noise hazards resulting from tourist traffic on the trails, but contrarily, it indicates the possibilities of using the sound landscape to promote tourist areas of the Polish mountains. Originality. In the literature on tourism and anthropopressure, there are relatively few reports regarding the acoustic sphere of mountain tourist areas and mutual relations between the sound landscape and terrain users. Type of paper. An article presenting the results of empirical research.