Spectacular geological heritage sites, unspoiled natural beauty and cultural landscapes
Geotourism and Educational Activities
Have you ever seen an Ichthyosaurus skeleton, blanket bog, petrified forest or an Iron Age hill fort? What about a volcano, ice cave or fossilized rhino footprint? Would you enjoy recreational tours by bicycle, raft or foot through impressive geological landscapes and visits to fascinating and educational visitor centers? If so, come and visit one or all of the 32 geoparks across Europe, and get to know the unique dynamics of the European Geopark Network.
Two new trends mark the growing success of the geopark concept. First, tourists are increasingly looking for new experiences that put them in close contact with the natural world. Second, people are beginning to realize that the geological heritage of their regions can be a source of sustainable economic benefit to their communities. This shift in thinking about geological heritage physical landscapes and tourism has been facilitated by the creation of the European Geoparks Network. Their idea is that geoconservation can lead to sustainable local development through geotourism. According to UNESCO, geoparks are areas with a significant geological heritage that can also include sites of natural and cultural interest. These parks play an active role in the development of their territories by strengthening the general image of geological heritage as well as in the development of geotourism. They are simultaneously involved in educating not only tourists and the general public about their physical environment, but also students from primary to university levels. Their facilities provide a place for academic research and cooperation in the fields surrounding geoconservation.
The Global Geoparks Network and European Geoparks Network organize annually an intensive course on Geoparks. The course is open to Geopark staff members with a degree in Geosciences, to PhD and Master students working on geopark, geotourism, geosite, geomorphosite and landscape topics, as well as to Geoscientists having a special interest on the topic Geoparks.
Their common goal was to promote geoparks as quality tourist attractions with a high educational, cultural and recreational value.
With the financial support of LEADER+, the European Geoparks Network created several common events
* Development of common pedagogical kits and especially adapted educational activities for all levels.
* European geoparks week - exciting events organized the first week of June all over Europe as a joint celebration of the network.
* Exchange of exhibitions and know-how among network partners
* Organization of events and touristic promotional activities.
The results of the European Geoparks Network’s efforts, which combine protection of geological heritage with sustainable territorial development of rural areas, make up a new and much needed perspective in local development policies. They have opened up a new and exciting field of tourism, where the benefits can be shared by visitors, locals, and academics and where the physical environment is valued again for the its beauty, history and power to sustain us.
You are invited to explore the geoparks across Europe with us.
We hope to see you soon!
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EUROPEAN GEOPARKS -
1. Réserve Géologique de Haute Provence – FRANCE
2. Vulkaneifel European Geopark – GERMANY
3. Petrified Forest of Lesvos – GREECE
4. Maestrazgo Cultural Park – Aragon, SPAIN
5. Psiloritis Nature Park – GREECE
6. Terra.Vita Nature Park – GERMANY
7. Copper Coast Geopark– IRELAND
8. Marble Arch Caves European Geopark– NORTHERN IRELAND, UK
9. Madonie Geopark – ITALY
10. Rocca di Cerere - ITALY
11. Nature Park Steirische Eisenwurzen – AUSTRIA
12. Nature Park Bergstrasse Odenwald – GERMANY
13. North Pennines AONB – ENGLAND, UK
14. Park Naturel Régional du Luberon – FRANCE
15. North West Highlands – SCOTLAND, UK
16. Geopark Swabian Albs – GERMANY
17. Geopark Harz Braunschweiger Land Ostfalen Geopark – GERMANY
18. Hateg Country Dinosaurs Geopark – ROMANIA
19. Beigua Geopark - ITALY
20. Forest Fawr Geopark – WALES, UK
21. Bohemian Paradise Geopark – CZECH REPUBLIC
22. Cabo de Gata – Nijar Nature Park – Andalucia, SPAIN
23. Naturtejo Geopark – PORTUGAL
24. Sierras Subbeticas Nature Park – Andalucia, SPAIN
25. Sobrarbe Geopark – Aragon, SPAIN
26. Gea Norvegica – NORWAY
27. Geological, Mining Park of Sardinia – ITALY
28. Papuk Geopark - CROATIA
29. Lochaber Geopark – SCOTLAND, UK
30. English Riviera Geopark – ENGLAND, UK
31. Adamello – Brenta Nature Park – ITALY
32. Geo Mon – WALES, UK
33. Arouca Geopark – PORTUGAL
34. Shetlands – SCOTLAND - UK
35. Chelmos Vouraikos – GREECE