Wałbrzych Geoturist Area - inventory of geotopes for promotion of geoturism

Abstract

The paper presents inventory and results of valorization of geotopes located in the Walbrzych region. This region is situated in south-western Poland, in proximity of the Wałbrzych Foothills (Bolków-Wałbrzych Foothills), Wałbrzych Mts., Kamienne Mts. and Sowie Mts. and Kamienna Góra Basin. The 149 geotopes which represents 6 geological themes - sedimentology, volcanism, metamorphism, geomorphology, hydrogeology, geology of Quaternary - have been selected and evaluated. All the data collected for these sites are stored in the database and may be displayed on several thematic maps. Based on results of valorization of geotopes, analyses of geology and geomorphology of the area as well as evaluation of land development, the seven geotourist sub-areas (so-called domains) have been differentiated. The results of the geotopes inventory and valorization indicate a possibility to propose a new geotourist area in the studied region and name it "Wałbrzych Geotourist Area"