{"id":30216,"date":"2026-10-21T10:45:51","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T08:45:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/npvelkafatra.sk\/pilotne-sprevadzanie-zazitkovou-formou-ukazalo-potencial\/"},"modified":"2026-10-21T11:31:12","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T09:31:12","slug":"pilotne-sprevadzanie-zazitkovou-formou-ukazalo-potencial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/npvelkafatra.sk\/en\/pilotne-sprevadzanie-zazitkovou-formou-ukazalo-potencial\/","title":{"rendered":"Pilot experiential guiding showed real potential"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The main goal was to test the proposed experiential trail in practice, while also creating space for networking and sharing experience among national park staff.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

The programme \u201cWhen Grazing Happens, the Meadow Comes Alive \u2013 following the story of shepherds\u2019 huts and the living landscape of Ve\u013ek\u00e1 Fatra\u201d was developed by Ivana Vasi\u013eov\u00e1 and links the area\u2019s natural and cultural heritage with traditional farming, the local community, and local products. \u201cMy aim was to show visitors that the landscape is not only a place for recreation and nature conservation, but also the result of a long-term relationship between people and the land, and how it is managed,\u201d said Vasi\u013eov\u00e1. As she added, Liptovsk\u00e9 Rev\u00face is an area with a strong historical connection to sheep farming and Wallachian culture. Traditional shepherding and the grazing of livestock were part of local life for centuries and shaped the character of the surrounding landscape. Even today, sheep farming and processing sheep\u2019s milk remain an important part of local agriculture and of preserving the area\u2019s traditional character. <\/p>\n\n

Traditional farming as a tool for caring for the landscape<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The route starts at the church in Liptovsk\u00e9 Rev\u00face and continues through the Mal\u00e1 Tureck\u00e1 valley along the red hiking trail, which is also part of the \u010cierny Kame\u0148 Nature Trail. At the start, Ivana Vasi\u013eov\u00e1 introduced us to the village\u2019s history, its location, and how settlement developed over time. In the Mar\u010dekovo area, she focused in more detail on the history of shepherding and the traditional management of mountain and foothill meadows. We learned how the shepherds\u2019 huts operated, what everyday life was like for shepherds, and what roles the simple wooden buildings high above the village once served. The interpretation also explained why regular grazing of livestock is important for maintaining open landscapes and preserving species-rich meadow communities. <\/p>\n\n

At this point, cultural tradition naturally connected with nature conservation. Traditional farming is not only part of the region\u2019s history\u2014it can also be one of the tools for caring for the landscape. Grazing helps maintain meadow habitats, prevents them from becoming overgrown, and contributes to preserving the distinctive landscape character of Ve\u013ek\u00e1 Fatra. <\/p>\n\n

An experiential tasting<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The expert part of the programme continued with a botanical interpretation. Vikt\u00f3ria Chilov\u00e1 introduced the plant communities typical of this area and highlighted the link between farming practices and the species diversity of meadow vegetation. This gave us a more complete view of the area\u2014from its history and traditions to its ecological context. <\/p>\n\n

We continued to the nature trail dedicated to the fauna of Ve\u013ek\u00e1 Fatra, where we turned towards the Koniarka shelter and then joined the yellow hiking trail leading to the Mogury area and the local shepherds\u2019 huts. This is where the experiential style of guiding really came into its own. Out in the field, we had the chance to learn not only about the sheep-farming process itself, but above all about the person who cares for the flock every day. The head shepherd described his daily work, caring for the flock, living conditions at the hut, and the practical challenges of keeping sheep in a mountain environment. He also spoke about livestock losses due to attacks by large carnivores\u2014one of the real-world challenges farmers in the area face. <\/p>\n\n

A highlight was tasting local sheep\u2019s milk products. We sampled smoked and unsmoked cheeses, o\u0161tiepok, a bryndza spread, and fresh \u017ein\u010dica. The tasting wasn\u2019t just a culinary add-on\u2014it was a concrete example of how local natural resources, traditional farming, the work of local people, and a local product come together into one story of the place. <\/p>\n\n

The story of a specific place<\/strong><\/p>\n\n

The activity also included networking among representatives of national parks. Walking the route together created a natural space for sharing experience, discussing options for experiential guiding, and looking for ways to develop similar activities in other protected areas. The practical example in Liptovsk\u00e9 Rev\u00face also demonstrated the potential of linking nature conservation with the local economy, traditional farming, and sustainable tourism. <\/p>\n\n

\u201cThe local community is not just a recipient of visitors, but an active partner in creating the experience and interpreting the area. By involving local experts, farmers, and producers, an authentic tourism product is created\u2014one that shares the story of a specific place with visitors while also creating space to support the local economy,\u201d said Ivana Vasi\u013eov\u00e1. <\/p>\n\n

The pilot guiding showed the potential of Liptovsk\u00e9 Rev\u00face as an area where nature conservation, traditional farming, the local community, cultural heritage, environmental education, and local products can be attractively connected through an engaging, experience-based approach.<\/p>\n\n

The activity also confirmed that authentic stories of local people, traditional ways of farming, and products made directly in the area can be an important part of the sustainable tourism offer\u2014and at the same time a tool for strengthening visitors\u2019 connection to the protected area and the local community.<\/p>\n