Planning of ecological trails: case study at the Sol Dourado Ranch , Nova Friburgo (RJ, Brazil)

Abstract

The expansion of ecotourism activities in Brazilian rural areas is an alternative for sustainable development. Hiking on ecological trails is an ecotouristic practice that provides contact with the environment and the awareness of visitors in public and private conservation areas. The adequate planning of ecological trails is important to mitigate the impacts resulting from their installation and use, as well as to ensure the safety of users. In this context, a case study was carried out at the Sol Dourado Ranch, a private property located in Macaé de Cima, rural area of Nova Friburgo-RJ and inserted in Conservation Units (UCs): the Três Picos State Park (PETP) and the Environmental Protection Area (APA) of Macaé de Cima. The study's main objective was to plan ecological trails on the property, reconciling environmental conservation and the expansion of local ecotourism activities. The activities consisted in walking the paths and tracks already opened, measuring the length and width of the floor, observing characteristics, such as the presence of vegetation on the edges, signs of erosion, among other aspects of the Rapid Assessment Protocol for Mountain Trails (PAR-TM), and signaling critical points for intervention, considering conservation and environmental balance. Adjustments were proposed for the use of the paths and tracks as ecological trails, resulting in three trails with distinct characteristics: the Mata Trail, the São Caetano Trail, and the Balanços Trail. The first one, considered to be of most difficult, demanded a greater number and complexity of interventions. The second one, considered the most inclusive, required less complex interventions. The third one, shortest and of moderate difficulty, required interventions of medium degree. Finally, the planned trail system was composed of diversified trails, in the motivation to walk them, in the degree of difficulty, and in the target group.