The “Silent Route” as a quiet place. A case study of a walking trail in the Wdecki Landscape Park (Tuchola Forest, Poland)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34767/GAT.2023.11.08Keywords:
quiet areas, soundscape, acoustic environment, quiet trails, nature-based tourism, protected areasAbstract
The article presents a case study of Poland's first “Silent Route”, located in the Wdecki Landscape Park, as an example of a tourist trail serving as a quiet place. The aim of the study was to assess the acoustic climate along the route, identify the sounds occurring on it, and determine the characteristics relevant to its functioning as a quiet place. The study used secondary source analysis, sound level measurements using a VOLTCRAFT SL-100 meter, and field observations covering the development and use of the route. The results confirm that, despite natural fluctuations in sound levels, the route meets the criteria for a quiet place. The measured average values of equivalent sound level (LAeq) at the measurement points along the route ranged from 30.05 to 47.9 dB, depending on the day and weather conditions. The route is characterised by a low and stable acoustic background, the dominance of natural sounds, and only incidental and short-lived signals from anthropogenic sources. It can be described as a sustainable, nature-based trail with a niche character, characterised by minimal infrastructure and low user traffic. The route enables the development of sustainable tourism, particularly forms supporting health and well-being, and can serve as a tool for nature conservation and environmental education in protected areas.
References
Aisyianita R. A., Afif F., Prasetyo J. S. 2022. Urban Park as a Mindful and Wellness Tourism Attraction in Jakarta: Introducing Forest Bathing as an Alternative to New Tourism Activities. In: International Conference on Humanities, Education, Law, and Social Sciences 2(1), 977–983. https://journal.unj.ac.id/unj/index.php/hispisi/article/view/31013
Barber J. R., Burdett C. L., Reed S. E., Warner K., Formichella C., Crooks K. R., Theobald D. M., Fristrup K. M. 2011. Anthropogenic noise exposure in protected natural areas: estimating the scale of ecological consequences. Landscape Ecology 26, 1281–1295. DOI: 10.1007/s10980-011-9646-7
Beeton S. 2006. Sustainable tourism in practice: trails and tourism. Critical management issues of multi-use trails. Tourism and Hospitality Planning & Development 3(1), 47–64. DOI: 10.1080/14790530600727227
Bernat S. 2011. Krajobraz dźwiękowy jutra, Prace Komisji Krajobrazu Kulturowego 15, 193-205 [in Polish with English abstract]
Bernat S. 2013. Turystyka dźwiękowa i spacery dźwiękowe jako formy aktywności turystyczno-rekreacyjnej w lasach. Studia i Materiały CEPL w Rogowie 37(4), 46-51 [in Polish with English abstract]
Bernat S. 2014. Soundscapes and tourism – towards sustainable tourism. Problems of Sustainable Development 9(1), 107-111.
Bernat S., Bernat J. 2022. Silence in geographic education. Prace Komisji Krajobrazu Kulturowego 47(1), 41-58. DOI: 10.30450/202203
Bielinis L., Bielinis E., Zawadzka A., Omelan A., Makowska M., Kuszewska K. 2016. The use of environmentally valuable areas in the province of Warmia and Mazury in forest therapy: contexts, possibilities, limitations. Ekonomia i Środowisko 1(56), 236-245 [in Polish with English abstract]
Buxton R. T., Pearson A. L., Allou C., Fristrup K., Wittemyer G. 2021. A synthesis of health benefits of natural sounds and their distribution in national parks. PNAS 118(14), 1-6. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2013097118
Cvikl D. 2022. Forest Therapy and Well-Being Tourism Literature Review – With Assessment of Potential for Slovenia. Academica Turistica 15(1), 25-41. DOI: 10.26493/2335-4194.15.25-41
Dwyer L., Edwards D. 2010. Nature-based tourism on the edge of urban development. Journal of Sustainable Tourism 8(4), 267-287. DOI: 10.1080/09669580008667364
Dz.U. 2020, poz. 1219: Ustawa z dnia 27 kwietnia 2001 r. – Prawo ochrony środowiska [in Polish]
European Environment Agency. 2014. Good Practice Guide on Quiet Areas. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. DOI: 10.2800/12611
European Environment Agency. 2016. Quiet Areas in Europe: The Environment Unaffected by Noise Pollution. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. DOI: 10.2800/7586
European Parliament and Council. 2002. Directive 2002/49/EC relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise. Brussels: Publications Office of the European Union. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32002L0049
Farkic J., Isalovic G., Taylor S. 2021. Forest bathing as a mindful tourism practice. Annals of Tourism Research Empirical Insights, 2, 1-9. DOI: 10.1016/j.annale.2021.100028
Flanz S., Jaremczuk P. 2021. Obszary ciszy w regulacjach prawnych UE i prawie krajowym oraz jako potencjał dla rozwoju turystyki. Pracownia Projektowo-Konsultingowa EKO-PLAN Toruń [in Polish with English abstract]
Frumkin H., Bratman G. N., Breslow S. J., Cochran B., Kahn P. H. Jr., Lawler J. J., Levin P. S., Tandon P. S., Varanasi U., Wolf K. L., Wood S. A. 2017. Nature Contact and Human Health: A Research Agenda. Environ Health Perspect 125(7):075001. DOI: 10.1289/EHP1663
Garmin Connect. https://connect.garmin.com/
geoportal.gov.pl. https://www.geoportal.gov.pl/
Gobster P. H., Kruger L. E., Schultz C. L., Henderson J. R. 2023. Key Characteristics of Forest Therapy Trails: A Guided, Integrative Approach. Forests 14, 186. DOI: 10.3390/f14020186
Godtman Kling K., Fredman P., Wall-Reinius S. 2017. Trails for tourism and outdoor recreation: A systematic literature review. Tourism 65(4), 488-508.
Gürbey A. P., Runkovski M. N., Işik I. 2020. Forest Therapy (Shinrin-Ryoho) and Forest Bathing (Shinrin-Yoku): new function proposals for protected areas (Chapter 15). [In:] I. Christov, V. Krystev, R. Efe, A. A. Gad. Advances in Scientific Research: Engineering and Architecture, 237-256. St. Kliment Ohridski University Press SOFIA.
He M., Li J., Li J., Chen H. 2019. A comparative study on the effect of soundscape and landscape on tourism experience. International Journal of Tourism Research 21(1), 11–22. DOI: 10.1002/jtr.2237
Hempton G., Grossman J. G. 2009. One Square Inch of Silence: One man’s search for a natural silence in a noisy world. New York Simon and Schuster.
Jiang J. 2022. The role of natural soundscape in nature-based tourism experience: An extension of the stimulus–organism–response model. Current Issues in Tourism 25(5), 707-726. DOI: 10.1080/13683500.2020.1859995
Kagge E. 2017. Cisza. Muza, Warszawa [in Polish]
Kaplan R., Kaplan S. 1989. The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Karvinen P. A., Savola A. 2004. Oases of Quietness in the Satakunta Region – A Pilot Study of Low-Noise Areas in Satakunta Region. Joint Baltic-Nordic Acoustics Meeting, 8–10 June 2004, Mariehamn, Aland.
Komppula R., Konu H., Vikman N. 2017. Listening to the sounds of silence: Forest Based Wellbeing Tourism in Finland. In: J.S. Chen, N.K. Prebensen (Eds.), Nature Tourism, 120-130. Routledge.
Kotera Y., Richardson M., Sheffield D. 2020. Effects of Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) and Nature Therapy on Mental Health: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction 20, 337–361. DOI: 10.1007/s11469-020-00363-4
Lebiedowska B. 2009. Silence as a competitive tourist product. Polish Journal of Sport and Tourism 16, 176-183.
Liu A., Wang XL, Liu F., Yao C., Deng Z. 2017. Soundscape and its influence on tourist satisfaction. The Service Industries Journal 38(3–4), 164–181. DOI: 10.1080/02642069.2017.1382479
Louv R. 2012. The nature principle. Reconnecting with life in a virtual age, Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. USA.
Malec M. 2019. In search of silence–sound as a tourist value of mountain hiking trails. Folia Turistica 52, 119-140. DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0013.2646 [in Polish with English abstract]
Mamzer H. 2020. The attractiveness of polar regions as the zones of silence. Oceanologia 6, 557-564. DOI: 10.1016/j.oceano.2020.03.010
Mapy.cz. https://mapy.cz
Marion J. L., Wimpey J., Thomsen T. 2023. Trail sustainability: A state-of-knowledge review of trail impacts, influential factors, sustainability ratings, and planning and management guidance. Journal of Environmental Management 343, 117868. DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117868
Merchan C. I., Diaz-Balteiro L., Soliño M. 2014. Noise pollution in national parks: Soundscape and economic valuation. Landscape and Urban Planning, 123, 1–9. DOI: 10.1016/j.landurbplan.2013.11.006
Mikkelson M. 2023. Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness awarded Wilderness Quiet Park. https://www.savetheboundarywaters.org/boundary-waters-canoe-area-wilderness-awarded-wilderness-quiet-park (Date of access: 15.10.2023)
Miyazaki Y. 2018. Shinrin-yoku: the Japanese way of forest bathing for health and relaxation. Octopus Publishing Group.
Moore R. L., Shafer C. S. 2001. Introduction to special issue trails and greenways: Opportunities for planners, managers, and scholars. Journal of Park and Recreation Administration 19(3), 1-16.
OGIMET – Weather Information Service. https://ogimet.com/
Ohe Y., Ikei H., Song Ch., Miyazaki Y. 2017. Evaluating the relaxation effects of emerging forest-therapy tourism: A multidisciplinary approach. Tourism Management 62, 322-334. DOI: 10.1016/j.tourman.2017.04.010
Park B. J., Tsunetsugu Y., Kasetani T., Kagawa M., Miyazaki Y. 2010. The physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku (taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing): evidence from field experiments in 24 forests across Japan. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine 15, 18–26. DOI: 10.1007/s12199-009-0086-9
Pasek M., Kochańczyk T. 2017. Tourist in the natural environment in the light of the ecological policy of the state. Polish Journal of Political Science 3(4), 143-156 [in Polish with English abstract]
Patania F., Gagliano A., Nocera F., Galesi A. 2011. The noise pollution in nature protected area of the Pergusa Lake. International Journal of Design and Nature and Ecodynamics 6(1), 52-67. DOI: 10.2495/DNE-V6-N1-52-67
Payne S. R., Davies W. J., Adams M. D. 2009. Research into the Practical and Policy Applications of Soundscape Concepts and Techniques in Urban Areas. Manchester: University of Salford.
Peeters H. M., Nusselder R. J. 2021. Quiet areas, soundscaping and urban sound planning. European Network of the Heads of Environment Protection Agencies (EPA Network). https://environnement.public.lu/content/dam/environnement/documents/bruit/quiet-areas-soundscaping-urban-sound-planning.pdf
Pietrzak-Zawadka J., Zawadka J. 2016. A valuable natural area as a place for implementing innovative health forms of tourism – forest therapy. Economic and Regional Studies 9(3), 112-120.
Polskie Towarzystwo Turystyczno-Krajoznawcze. 2022. Instrukcja znakowania szlaków turystycznych PTTK. https://pttk.pl/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Instrukcja-znakowania-szlakow.pdf
Połucha I., Marks E., Jaszczak A., Elkhatib A. 2013. The design principles of didactic paths on health topics within forest areas. Problemy Ekologii Krajobrazu. Rekreacja w krajobrazach o wysokim potencjale XXXIV, 313–316 [in Polish with English abstract]
Qiu M., Zhang J., Zheng C. 2018. Exploring tourists’ soundscape emotion and its impact on sustainable tourism development. Asia Pacific Journal of Tourism Research 23(9), 862–879. DOI: 10.1080/10941665.2018.1494614
Rogowski M. 2008. Attempt to determine principles of the soundscape map of trail (for example the trail in Karkonosze Mountain). Prace Komisji Krajobrazu Kulturowego, 11, 63-73 [in Polish with English abstract]
Rogowski M. 2016. The multi-sensory landscape as an inspiration in the creation of a tourism product. Tourism 26(2), 23-32. DOI: 10.1515/tour-2016-0010
Rurek M., Gonia A., Hojan M. 2022. Environmental and Socio-Economic Effects of Underground Brown Coal Mining in Piła Młyn (Poland). Land 11, 219. DOI: 10.3390/land11020219
Rypiński M. 2013. Sound as a constant element of a tourism product on the basis of chosen examples, Turystyka Kulturowa, 24-37. www.turystykakulturowa.org [in Polish with English abstract]
Rzemykowska K. 2021. Cisza jako atrakcja turystyczna. Portal informacyjny Urzędu Marszałkowskiego Województwa Kujawsko-Pomorskiego w Toruniu. https://www.kujawsko-pomorskie.pl/36872-cisza-jakoatrakcja-turystyczna (Accessed: 7.07.2023)
Samorząd Województwa Kujawsko-Pomorskiego. 2021a. Pilot project: Silence areas as the tourist attraction. Summary. Project ThreeT – Interreg Europe, Toruń. https://kujawsko-pomorskie.pl/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/pilot_project-7bd.pdf [in Polish]
Samorząd Województwa Kujawsko-Pomorskiego. 2021b. Raport. Pomiar poziomu hałasu na terenie parków krajobrazowych w województwie kujawsko-pomorskim. Projekt pilotażowy „Obszary ciszy jako atrakcja turystyczna”. Project ThreeT – Interreg Europe, Toruń. https://kujawsko-pomorskie.pl/wspolpraca-miedzynarodowa/europejska-wspolpraca-terytorialna/projekt-threet/podsumowalismy-realizacje-projektu-pilotazowego-sciezka-ciszy/ [in Polish]
Samorząd Województwa Kujawsko-Pomorskiego. 2022a. Oferta edukacyjno-turystyczna dla pilotażowego „obszaru ciszy” we Wdeckim Parku Krajobrazowym. Projekt pilotażowy „Obszary ciszy jako atrakcja turystyczna”. Projekt ThreeT – Interreg Europe, Toruń. https://kujawsko-pomorskie.pl/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/oferta-1ff.pdf [in Polish]
Samorząd Województwa Kujawsko-Pomorskiego. 2022b. Podręcznik dla służby parków krajobrazowych w zakresie przygotowywania i rozwijania oferty edukacyjnej i turystycznej oraz promocji „obszarów ciszy”. Projekt ThreeT – Interreg Europe, Toruń https://kujawsko-pomorskie.pl/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/podrecznik-eca.pdf [in Polish]
Schafer R. M. 1993. The Soundscape: Our Sonic Environment and the Tuning of the World. Rochester, VT: Destiny Books.
Szołtysek J., Twaróg S. 2012. Problematyka hałasu we współczesnych miastach. STUDIA MIEJSKIE 6, 75-84 [in Polish with English abstract]
Szpunar M. 2020. Ecology of the soundscape. AVANT 11(3), 1-23. DOI: 10.26913/avant.2020.03.33 [in Polish with English abstract]
Tryjanowski P., Murawiec S. 2021. Ornitologia terapeutyczna. Wyd. Bogucki Wyd. Nauk.: Poznań, Poland [in Polish]
Ulrich R. S. 1984. View Through a Window May Influence Recovery from Surgery. Science 224(4647), 420–421.
Vukin M., Isalović G. A. 2018. A cure and healing forest of Goč Mountain – a new approach to health tourism in Serbia. In: Tourism in function of development of The Republic of Serbia. Tourism in the Era of Digital Transformation. Thematic Proceedings II, 732-749, University of Kragujevac.
Watts G., Bauer J. 2022. Tranquillity trails – design, implementation and benefits for healthy leisure. World Leisure Journal 64(2), 156-165. DOI: 10.1080/16078055.2021.1927165
Waugh D., Durucan S., Korre A., Hetherington O., O’Reilly B. 2003. Environmental Quality Objectives. Noise in Quiet Areas (2000-MS-14-M1). Environmental Protection Agency. https://www.epa.ie/publications/research/land-use-soils-and-transport/EPA_noise_in_quiet_areas_ERTDI17_synthesis.pdf
Wdecki Park Krajobrazowy. 2016. Informator o najciekawszych miejscach przyrodniczo-turystycznych Wdeckiego Parku Krajobrazowego. Osie: Wdecki Park Krajobrazowy [in Polish]
Wiciak J., Mleczko D., Ozga A., Wszołek G., Wierzbicki J., Piechowicz J., Małecki P. 2015. Quietness in the soundscape of the Białowieża National Park. Acta Physica Polonica A, 128(1-A), A-79–A-84. DOI: 10.12693/APhysPolA.128.A-79
Woźniak N., Jezierska-Thöle A. 2022. Educational paths as an environmentally friendly form of sustainable tourism in Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship. Geography and Tourism 10(1), 49-59. DOI: 10.34767/GAT.2022.10.05
Zajadacz A., Lubarska A. 2019. Sensory gardens in the context of promoting well-being of people with visual impairments in the outdoor sites. International Journal of Spa and Wellness 2(1), 3–17. DOI: 10.1080/24721735.2019.1668674
Zhang Z., Wang P., Gao Y., Ye B. 2020. Current development Status of Forest Therapy. Healthcare 8(61), 1-17. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare8010061
Zhu Y., Huang N., Weng Y., Tong H., Wang X., Chen J., Liu J., Chen Z., Dong J., Wang M. 2023. Does Soundscape Perception Affect Health Benefits, as Mediated by Restorative Perception? Forests 14(9):1798. DOI: 10.3390/f14091798
Internet sources:
Alpe Cimbra. n.d. Il Respiro degli Alberi. Official tourism website of the Alpe Cimbra region. https://www.alpecimbra.it/it/scopri-l-alpe-cimbra/natura-e-cultura/il-respiro-degli-alberi/74-4414.html (Date of access: 18.09.2023)
Bory Tucholskie. n.d. Bory Tucholskie UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. https://borytucholskie.org.pl/ (Date of access: 13.06.2023)
Parki Kujawsko-Pomorskie. n.d.-a. Czyściewnica (użytek ekologiczny). https://parki.kujawsko-pomorskie.pl/wpk/turystyka/warto-zobaczyc/296-czysciewnica (Date of access: 13.06.2023)
Parki Kujawsko-Pomorskie. n.d.-b. Rezerwat przyrody Jezioro Piaseczno. https://parki.kujawsko-pomorskie.pl/wpk/ochrona-przyrody/rezerwaty-przyrody/289-jezioro-piaseczno (Date of access: 13.06.2023)
Parki Kujawsko-Pomorskie. n.d.-c. Roślinność. https://parki.kujawsko-pomorskie.pl/wpk/przyroda/roslinnosc (Date of access: 13.06.2023)
Quiet Parks International. n.d. Cuifeng Lake Circular Trail, Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area, Taiwan. Quiet Parks International website. https://www.quietparks.org/cuifeng-lake-circular-trail-taipingshan-national-forest-recreation-area-taiwan (Date of access: 18.09.2023)
Samorząd Województwa Kujawsko-Pomorskiego. n.d. Podsumowanie realizacji projektu pilotażowego Ścieżka Ciszy. https://kujawsko-pomorskie.pl/wspolpraca-miedzynarodowa/europejska-wspolpraca-terytorialna/projekt-threet/podsumowalismy-realizacje-projektu-pilotazowego-sciezka-ciszy/ (Date of access: 10.10.2023)
Visit Cerkno. n.d. Forest Selfness. Official tourism website of Cerkno. https://www.visitcerkno.si/en/forest-selfness/ (Date of access: 18.09.2023)
Visit Trentino. n.d. Sentiero Acqua e Faggi nel Parco del Respiro. Official tourism website of the Trentino region. https://www.visittrentino.info/it/guida/tour/sentiero-acqua-e-faggi-nel-parco-del-respiro_tour_19080599 (Date of access: 18.09.2023)
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
