The Mineral Water Trail story

in 10 years…

14th Seminar on Geography of Water, June 26th – July 07th, 2011, Cagliari

Authors: Boglárka Czellecz, Ágnes Boér

Babeș-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca

Nature trails, educational trails are shorter paths, which are connecting natural points of interest. Along these trails, the visitors can meet important natural or historical objects, with the help of some guidebooks or explanation marks, panels (optional).

Exemples for Mineral Water Trails from Europe:

• Czech Republic – SOOS Nature Preserve

• Czech Republic – Kladska Educational Trail, 1 pannel dedicated for mineral waters

• Germany – Vulcaneifel European Geopark• Serbia – Vrnjacka Banja

Exemples for Mineral Water Trails from Romania:

• Mineral Water Trail in the Lower Ciuc Basin (2004)• Corund Mineral Water Educational Trail (2010)• two others in planning/documentation phase

Mineral Water Trail

The Mineral Water Trail in the Lower Ciuc Basin(a green way and a nature trail)Objective

presentation• the first green way/educational trail in Seclerland• documentation, planning, realization: 2000-2003• inauguration: 22 April, 2004• a path along the Olt river, on the dike• more sections, not a linear way• printed guidebook for travellers in limited examples

• the aim of the trail: - to promote the mineral waters

- to promote cycling, as a recreational choice

The Mineral Water Trail in the Lower Ciuc Basin(a green way and a nature trail)Reality

The Mineral Water Trail in the Lower Ciuc Basin

(a green way and a nature trail)Reality

The Mineral Water Trail in the Lower Ciuc Basin

(a green way and a nature trail)Background

2. Was it really a good planning???

1. Who was the public that was made for???

3. The role of the media???

4. The role of the inhabitants???5. Who is taking care of the

trail???

The Mineral Water Trail in the Lower Ciuc Basin

(a green way and a nature trail)

Interview with Mr. Csaba Jánosi, the creator of the Mineral Water Trail

• Field observation phase and documentation between 2000-2003• Total cost of approx. 5000 Euro

• Information panels (one in each village) and diretion signs in Hungarian and Romanian language

• Guidebook in Hungarian in 500 examples

• A cycling competition at the inauguration

• Giving the supervision of the Trail to the local administrations

The Mineral Water Trail in the Lower Ciuc Basin

(a green way and a nature trail)Field observations

• There are 4 mineral water springs along the 22 km long “Mineral Water Trail”• In some sections the trail can not be passed (tributaries of the Olt river, bridges, natural spring and autumn flood, high grass)• It goes on a dam (protecting role) – officially it is not allowed • The information panels and direction signs are missing

• Doesn’t exist a detailed map only about this trail

• The guidebook gives information about the interesting objects in the neighborhood

• Using the guidebook can not be identified the exactly route of the trail

• A good choice of the location (Lower Ciuc Basin)

The Mineral Water Trail in the Lower Ciuc Basin

(a green way and a nature trail)What does the media say?

• 1 local newspaper (2003, 2004)• 1 regional newspaper• 1 national newspaper• 1 magazine• 1 web site(all of this were written in Hungarian language)

The Mineral Water Trail in the Lower Ciuc Basin

(a green way and a nature trail)What does the local people say? (547 students and 115 adults)

Students category I. (settlements along the Mineral

Water Trail)

yes no

180 120

Students category II. (5, respectively, 15 km far from the trail)

yes no

71 157

Adults(settlements along the Mineral

Water Trail)

yes no

80 35

Students rate I. : 60%Students rate II. : 31.1%Adults rate : 69.6%

19%

25%

9%

13%

12%

17%

5%

TripsParentsTVNewspapersFriendsSchoolOther

The Mineral Water Trail in the Lower Ciuc Basin

(a green way and a nature trail)What does the local people say? (547 students and 115 adults)

Where have you heard about the Mineral Water Trail?

The Mineral Water Trail in the Lower Ciuc Basin

(a green way and a nature trail)What does the local people say? (547 students and 115 adults)

Csikszentkirly

Csikszentimre

Csikszentsimon

Csatoszeg

Tusnad

Ujtusnad

Csikrakos

Csikszereda

Tusnadfurdo

Other

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

The usage of the Mineral Water Trail by students

6%

10%

14%

4%

4%7%10%

8%

34%

3%

Renovate TripsInformation panels

Maps

Talk about it ProgrammesWithout garbidge

Better in-frastructure

Better pro-motion

Books/articles

The Mineral Water Trail in the Lower Ciuc Basin

(a green way and a nature trail)What does the local people say? (547 students and 115 adults)Ideas for renovating and promoting the Mineral Water Trail

The Mineral Water Trail in the Lower Ciuc Basin

(a green way and a nature trail)

2. Was it really a good planning???

1. Who was the public that was made for???

3. The role of the media???

4. The role of the inhabitants???

5. Who is taking care of the trail???

Thank you for your attention!