Geolandscapes of the Ciucaș Mountains (Eastern Carpathians, Romania) - the assessment of geomorphosites and development of geotourism

The main goal of this paper is to provide an inventory and evaluation of geomorphosites in order to show how valuable geoheritage is and to make geotourism possible. The analysed area is represented by the Ciucaș Mountains (Eastern Carpathians, Curvature Group, Romania), which are formed by flysch (limestones, conglomerates, and alternations of sandstones and clays), due to which different geomorphosites have developed (especially through differential erosion). The research methodology aimed at two directions: the evaluation by its own method of the most important geomorphosites — 34 pieces — and the analysis by means of questionnaires of the tourists' opinions (50 respondents); and finally, the correlation of the results in order to identify the landforms to be capitalised at a higher level through geotourism. It was found that the geomorphosites that obtained the highest values at the evaluation (based on their own method, which had the criteria: scientific, aesthetic, cultural, economic value, management, and use) carried out are also the most well-known and appreciated by tourists (Tigăile Mici - 0.67; Tigăile Mici - 0.66; Ciucaș Peak - 0.65; Sfinxul Bratocei - 0.65; Babele la Sfat - 0.60). In this respect, the geotouristic map of the study area was created, and three geotouristic trails were developed and analysed from a quantitative (characterisation, longitudinal profiles) and qualitative point of view (morphometric parameters and evaluation — mean value). The three trails received symbolic names (“Fairy Tales Cliffs”, “Towers and Fangs, “ and “Great Altitudes”) in order to increase their geotouristic value.