Trilhas interpretativas como instrumentos de Geoturismo e Geoconservação : caso da trilha do Salto São Jorge, Campos Gerais do Paraná

Abstract

The interpretative trails have stood in the tourism context as a valuable tool in the natural patrimony conservancy. A modality of tourism that has gained more and more adepts is the Geotourism. This work intends to show the importance of the trails as an instrument of geotourism and geoconservancy, if equipped with the adequates interpretative mids. It has been observed that in many conservancy units the trails are underestimated as their educative potential, moreover, there is a small investment in their maintenance, signalization and interpretation. An example of this fact is the trail of Salto São Jorge, in the borough of Ponta Grossa – PR. This waterfall stands up due to the exposition of the rare geological contact constituted by rocks of the Furnas Formation, Iapó Formation and the Cunhaporanga Complex. The geosite even presents archaeological and historical attributes and it‟s visited for the sport practice and leisure. The area where it is located is part of the Parque Nacional dos Campos Gerais, but it belongs to a private owner. The way that tourism has been made (often characterized as mass tourism) is causing impacts to natural heritage, including threats to geodiversity. To reverse that situation and contribute to the visitors can have esthetic appreciation and geological knowledge about the environment; some proposals of interpretative points in the trail are suggested. Taking into account the current context, the means of interpretation considered more advised to accost the points were the folders, panels and guided visits. Also, part of this research, are the evaluable of the trail carrying capacity and proposals to the trail and infra-structure improvements. The local infra-structure is very precarious and there isn‟t any type of adaptation for people with disabilities. Thus it is expected that this research might be a contribution to the planners and managers of trails in order to make them interpretive, accessible and efficient in relation to environmental education and geotourism.