Announcement of actions to protect natural treasures in Franche-Comté municipality
The picturesque Schwarzach Gorge, located south of Nuremberg in Bavaria, has been a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts for a long time. However, the surge in visitors since the COVID-19 pandemic has put a strain on the delicate ecosystem of the gorge.
Markus Pillmayer, a tourism researcher from Munich University of Applied Sciences, suggests that people are drawn to places like the Schwarzach Gorge for outdoor activities in their free time. The gorge, with its beautiful geological sites, has become known beyond the region due to social media and outdoor portals.
However, the influx of visitors has also brought about challenges. Jana Wiehn from the Landscape Conservation Association Forchheim notes that many unauthorized footpaths have emerged on another popular destination, the Walberla, which cannot regenerate over the winter. Trampled paths at the Walberla have been cordoned off with flutter tape to allow nature to recover, but the tape is often cut or torn down.
Many visitors are not following the rules and are causing damage to the sensitive nature. Climbing on cliffs, leaving paths, and littering are common offenses. Information boards and signs at the entrances to the nature reserve and within the area at the Walberla inform visitors about the rules of conduct, but some people either overlook or deliberately ignore them.
Some outdoor portals promote hiking routes and cycling tours on these illegal paths at the Walberla, despite the entire mountain being closed to bicycles. Moreover, many people plan their tours spontaneously, often without checking whether the destination is accessible or via official paths.
In response to these issues, the municipality of Schwarzenbruck (Nuremberg district) is taking action to protect the Schwarzach Gorge. A protection concept is being implemented, which includes installing more information boards, fencing off paths in some places, and increasing the presence of rangers. The environmental officer, Mareike Menneckemeyer, is overseeing the implementation of this concept.
If the measures do not have the desired effect, the idea of closing the Schwarzach Gorge to visitors is being considered. The environmental authorities have given the green light for the protection concept in the Schwarzach Gorge, but the final decision on closure will depend on the situation.
Andreas Lund, another tourism researcher, indicates the phenomenon of the sudden popularity of smaller places like the Schwarzach Gorge in Germany. This trend, combined with the lack of preparedness by some destinations, has led to the current challenges. It is hoped that the protection concept will help preserve the Schwarzach Gorge for future generations to enjoy.
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