Učka Land Art Trail Voyage Tips and guide

Učka Land Art Trail (previously known as Stražica - Sapaćica Land Art Trail) is a unique project of 20 works of land art and rock art by Boris Pecigoš along a 7.2 km long trail through the beautiful landscapes of the Učka and Ćićarija mountains in Učka Nature Park, on the border of Istria and Kvarner in Croatia. It was opened in July 2016.

This 7.2 km long circular trail is a combination of artistic interventions in the form of land art and rock art, and the natural features of Ćićarija, i.e. its southern areas around the Stražica cliffs and Sapaćica pastures. The artworks are in places in which you would least expect them.

The guiding idea behind the trail, which is the conceptual project of artist Boris Pecigoš, is to raise awareness of the importance of the connection between mankind and nature. Regardless of the alienation and bustle of today’s way of life, the human race is an inseparable part of nature. Although by our very existence, we have an influence on nature and change it, we can learn to follow the rhythms of nature and respect other creatures that share this planet with us.

As you walk, inhale the fragrance of the forest, listen to its sounds, feel the moist soil under your fingers, caress the soft moss, hug a tree, let the sun caress your skin, soak in the lush greenery and feel the powerful energy of nature around you. In addition, make sure to look for the land art and touch the handprints that are on some pieces of art.

Land art is today a very diverse art form. The works are created in the very nature using natural materials found in situ (stone, gravel, soil, tree trunks, branches, leaves, snow, water...). Sometimes artificial materials are introduced. Painting the rocks with eco-friendly paints, as is the case in some of the works on this trail, is called the rock art. The land art works are situated in the open air, located far from civilization, left to change and disintegrate under the influence of natural forces.

Land Art as an art movement emerged in the 1960s in the U.S. Still, the cave drawings, megaliths, geoglyphs and petroglyphs of the ancient tribes show that this sort of expression has been fundamental since the beginning of humankind.

• 45.30946214.2146541 Poklon Visitor Centre, Poklon 8, [email protected]. The visitor centre for the Učka Nature Park.  (updated Mar 2020)

This is an easy walking trail in the mountain, suitable for families, children, elderly people.

Nevertheless, have firm shoes (hiking or mountaineering shoes), a hat for sun protection in the summer, and for protection against cold and wind during winter. Walking sticks are not necessary but will make your walking easier.

Take plenty of water, especially in the summer. Bring some food or snacks as well, as you will likely want to stay on the mountain longer than the minimum estimated time for the trail.

Make sure you have a copy of the Trail Map or GPX track when you hike the trail. You can download it to your mobile device or print it out.

Statistics:

• Trail difficulty: easy (T1/K1)
• Trail length: 7.2 km
• Elevation difference: 130 m
• Total ascent (elevation gain): 350 m

Duration:

• Minimum time (fast pace with short stops): 2 to 3 hours.
• Realistic time (relaxed family trip or walk with photography): approx. 4 hours.
• Leisurely time (detailed tour with more time at land art points and viewpoints): 5 hours or more.

Entrance fee: there is no entrance fee to Učka Nature Park nor to Učka Land Art Trail

45°18′48″N 14°12′12″E

Map of Učka Land Art Trail

Učka Land Art Trail has two entrances that are on the road which connects Kvarner and Istria across Mount Učka. 45.30942914.213291 The main entrance is located on Poklon, near the Info-center of the Učka Nature Park, mountain lodge (Planinarski dom Poklon) and Pansion Učka restaurant. 45.30690914.2047912 The second entrance is near Dopolavoro restaurant, opposite the intersection where minor road turns for the Vojak, the highest peak of Učka. There are information board and signpost stone on both entrances. 

You'll need a car, your own, rental or taxi, because there is no other means of transportation to the entrance of the trail.

If coming from the direction of Rijeka, Opatija or nearby cities, take the E61 (A7) bypass and the E751 (A8) motorway towards Pula. Take the exit for Veprinac. At the first intersection, turn left towards Veprinac. At the next intersection in Veprinac, turn left again (following the sign for Učka). Drive for approximately 7.2 km to the Poklon pass and the main entrance (Entrance 1) of the Land Art Trail. The second entrance is located 800 m further down the road.

If coming from the direction of Istria (Pula, Rovinj, Poreč, Umag, Motovun or some other cities) via the E751 (A8) motorway, take the Vranja exit (follow signs for the Island of Cres, Labin, and Vela Učka). Immediately after the toll booths, turn left towards Vela Učka, as indicated by the signpost. Drive for approximately 5.6 km to reach the second entrance (Entrance 2) of the Land Art Trail. The main entrance (Entrance 1) is located 800 m further down the road.

Although the Land Art Trail has two entrances, start from the main entrance at Poklon (Entrance 1) /map /, and then go around the trail in the anticlockwise direction. In that way, you will go through art works in the order in which they are listed. Follow the path and it will naturally guide you from one stop to the next. Everything is well marked so you can not get lost, and you will not miss a single point. Just watch for the markings and signposts.

The trail is divided into 5 sections, each marked with its own color. Start following the green markings placed on the trees and rocks. Along the green section of the trail there are seven land art installations (here in the itinerary marked with numbers 1 - 7), and a pit cave. Then follow the red markings and you will find five more land art installations (here in the itinerary marked with numbers 8 - 12), and three viewpoints. On the purple section of the trail there are six land art installations, mostly in the form of rock art (here in the itinerary marked with numbers 13 - 18).

Then you come to the Entrance 2, where short pink section of the trail leads you to the Krog Viewpoint on the Stražica cliff (1001 m), and along that trail there is only one land art installation (marked with number 19). When you get back to the Entrance 2, follow orange markings through the forest and they will return you to the Entrance 1 and Poklon, where you started your journey. Along the orange trail there is also only one land art work (in the itinerary marked with number 20).

As you walk through the woods and pastures, you will encounter the works of land art and rock art. You will surely wonder what they mean. So, description and meaning of all 20 artworks follow.

Unlike typical hikes, your journey begins with a gentle descent from Poklon through a magical forest toward the Sapaćica pasture. This section features seven diverse land art installations and a cave. The pasture itself is stunning, especially in spring when many interesting plants are in bloom, including alpine pasqueflowers, primroses, gentians, daffodils, wild roses, and peonies.

This work is located on a rocky ridge and consists of golden footprints leading towards a “levitating” sphere. It symbolizes the starting point and man's first step on the path of conscious connection with nature. The Footmarks and the Sphere also contain deeper esoteric elements.

This place in the shade of trees offers you the first chance for deeper contact with nature.

A stone circle (∅ = 200 cm) with footprints in the limestone slab invites you to take off your shoes and stand inside it, be calm and quiet, listen to the nature around you and feel yourself as part of nature.

Your view will then spontaneously be directed to a "levitating" Sphere (∅ = 50 cm), land art construction stretched between two trees on a small ridge that connects the two neighboring dolines. The sphere serves to focus your attention so you can easily enter a meditative state of deep relaxation.

Near the stone circle, surrounded by thick green grass, there is a beech tree that you can embrace and thus literally merge with the forest.

Fairy Gathering is a composition of painted rocks set in a peaceful, forested area that exudes a mystical atmosphere. This work is inspired by a local legend about fairies gathering in hidden places on the mountain, and invites the visitor to silence and respect for the invisible world of nature.

On a small hill seven stones, which nature has placed in a circle (∅ ≈ 5 m), stick out of the grass. It's said that in places like this the forest fairies gather. Local legends speak of the “vile Učkarice” (Učka fairies).

Enter the circle and choose one of the seven painted stone symbols which attracts you the most, sit next to that stone on the soft grass and enjoy the shade of this magical place. The symbols represent the seven letters of the word “nature” (“priroda” in Croatian) written in cursive Glagolitic alphabet.

Also hug a beech tree that grows from a large stone and as a guard leans over the stone circle. Listen to and watch in silence... maybe you'll get lucky and see the forest fairies!

This piece focuses on the symbolism of the heart and emotional connection, highlighting love as a universal force that connects all living things. The work is set in a secluded, peaceful space that invites a moment of tenderness, gratitude, and compassion for oneself and one's surroundings.

A rock in the shape of a heart, measuring 150 x 200 cm, is comprised of two stones which lean on each other, symbolising love, partnership and mutual support. The deeper message of the painted rock is love and the unity of man and nature.

If you visit this place with your partner, touch the rocks together or lean on them and soak up the atmosphere of this place.

If you are single you can still enjoy this place, and if you long to find the love of your life, maybe the nature in some strange way realizes your wish...

This point builds on the tradition of dry-stone construction and karst customs of stacking stones. The work emphasizes stability, grounding, and respect for the solid material that makes up the very backbone of the mountain.

It also serves as a signpost. Hemispherical stone cairn (∅ = 160 cm) with painted capstone and two branches directs hikers on the right path.

On the grassy slope opposite the stone mound some larch trees grow. This is the only place on Land Art Trail with the larches. Larch is one of the few conifers that in winter releases its needles. In early spring the female cone-like flowers attract with its red color.

Don't miss the 45.31475214.2052181 Pit Cave "Jama za greben". It iis an interesting speleological object 111 m deep and 35 m long. The vertical entrance is 17x6 m wide. You can reach the pit cave by taking a short, unmarked 150-meter branch that turns left into the forest just before the Handprints point. You approach the pit cave at your own risk, as the opening is not secured (there is no fence).

These stylized handprints on the rock invite the visitor to have direct physical contact with the mountain. The work symbolizes the presence of man in nature and the importance of conscious contact as a way of communicating with the environment that surrounds us.

This land art (actually rock art) carries a message of the positive impact of man on nature.

The pasture Sapaćica as well as other pastures on Učka did not occur naturally but from the millennia of man’s activities, deforestation and sheep grazing. Over time, the new ecosystem stabilized with meadow plants and animals. Because of the distinctive and rich flora and fauna, grasslands are a significant reservoir of biodiversity of wildlife. Today, this ecosystem is threatened due to the emigration of people from Učka and neglecting of traditional activities. Meadows are unfortunately less used for pasture and as hayfield so they gradually overgrow with forests, and many meadow species are threatened with disappearance.

The handprints on the rock measuring 2.2 x 8.5 m want to show the actions of human hands that have left a positive impact on the colorfulness (biodiversity) of the natural world.

These geoglyphs on the grassy slope are dedicated to the millennial tradition of sheep farming on the pastures of Učka and Ćićarija. Stone figures of sheep in supernatural size revive the memory of the pastoral way of life and the importance of the coexistence of man and cattle in this region.

In a symbolic way the sheep geoglyphs return the flocks to the pastures and represent the indigenous Istrian species – Pramenka, on pastures which were once used for grazing in the past.

The area of origin and cultivation of Istrian sheep Pramenka is our largest peninsula of Istria, according to which this breed got its name. It is the most lactic Croatian original breed of sheep. Sheep are usually colorful or black and white, rarely completely black, while there are the smallest number of completely white individuals. As their milk contains an average of 7% fat, it is mostly used to make traditional semi-hard, full-fat cheese and curd.

Ram: 7.5 x 7.6 m

Ewe: 5.9 x 6.8 m

Lamb: 2,8 x 3,4 m (added in 2025)

The Red Tree is a dried tree that the author transformed into a sculpture in space using ecological paint. The work points to human destruction of nature, but also emphasizes the cyclical nature of life and symbolizes the vital energy that permeates nature even in the processes of decay.

The message of this land art is the negative impact of humans on nature. The gas pipeline, powerline, transmitters, radar, road, the Učka tunnel – all of these are artificial structures which unnaturally stick out amidst the mountain beauty. And so this red tree 3 m high, located on high ground in the middle of Sapaćica pasture, between the route of the gas pipeline and power line, unnaturally dominates the landscape, transmitting a message about our destruction of nature.

Still, it draws attention, attracts and invites you to sit beside it and enjoy the view of Učka and the hills of Ćićarija.

Version 2.0. is from 2025.

This section leads uphill to several stone structures, some of which are decorated with color. You will reach a cliff edge with views overlooking Istria and have the chance to walk through two land art installations—a labyrinth and a geoglyph—located right next to the cliffs and viewpoints.

The sharp limestone outcrops on this section of the trail are highlighted with color to emphasize their resemblance to teeth emerging from the ground. The work draws attention to the dramatic geological structure of the karst and the power of natural forces that shape the mountain, as well as its connection to Slavic myths.

The bare stone surface stands out like a stain in relation to the surrounding grass, whilst numerous stone teeth protrude into the air. There are 21 teeth 20-50 cm high on 4.5 x 5.0 m surface area.

The golden painted teeth send a message that the eternal force of nature can very well "show its teeth" if humans go too far with their destruction.

This point connects the geometric purity of the triangle with the Glagolitic script, paying homage to the cultural history of these regions. The combination of symbols on the rock creates a space for reflection on the connection between spiritual heritage and the nature that surrounds us.

Stone triangle measuring 245 x 280 cm. Its peaks direct hikers to pasture Sapaćica and Poklon (Entrance 1), to Stražica (Entrance 2) and to a rest stop on 45.31839114.1961152 Mali vidikovac / Little Viewpoint.

If you look carefully at the triangle, as well as at the nearby scattered stones you'll find spiral fossils of planktonic foraminifera.

Little viewpoint offers a view of The Raven Reef and Istria. Down in Istria are the towns of Roč and Hum, and between them passes the Glagolitic Alley, artistic memory of the Glagolitic history of this region. For this reason, on a small rock just opposite a bench, verse of Boris Pecigoš’ poem is written in the Glagolitic alphabet:

I am the king of the high mountain,

of the rock from the sea emerged,

its eons are like short days, and I,

I'm just a breath of little significance.

The geoglyph in the labyrinth shape (∅ = 11 m) directs you to stay on the right path on the sharp turn of the trail. It also points to the trail which leads to the 45.31556314.1952193 Gornji vidikovac / Upper Viewpoint with the view of Istria, the geomorphological natural monument of the Vela Draga canyon and the main Učka massif.

Geoglyphs are the form of land art, motives “drawn” on the ground, usually by stones or similar permanent landscape elements, such as gravel, soil, planted plants, hedges or trees. The term petroform is also used for the forms made of superimposed pieces of freestanding stones.

Labyrinths are complex forms of path leading to the center and back, and mazes are wide networks that require resourcefulness and orientation to find out the exit. The famous ancient labyrinths like Minoan on Crete, Roman mazes, labyrinths in medieval Christian cathedrals, and even todays labyrinths in certain circles, are given spiritual significance – circling the winding paths of the labyrinth to its center represents the quest for answers and the journey to the center of the soul, coming into the center of labyrinth symbolizes contact with the divine and the acquisition of knowledge or insight, and then follows the return and realization of acquired insights. Labyrinth can be shown on a drawing or picture, but if it is made in the form of geoglyph (petroform) falls under land art.

The Stone Playground is an interactive zone that encourages visitors to freely arrange stones and express themselves creatively in the moment. The work celebrates the joy of creation and reminds us that we are all co-creators in the constant process of changing nature.

Given the abundant source of broken stones, here you can play with the building of your own land art – pillar, mound, pyramid, circle, spiral or other shape as you want. It is an excellent way to stimulate your own creativity!

Through taking and stacking stones you achieve a direct tactile contact with nature, which is the main theme of this artistic-environmental project.

The spiral geoglyph (∅ = 13.5 m) has been made following the cross section of the spiral shell of a fossilised foraminifera (nummulite), which, if you look a little carefully, can be found in the nearby scattered rocks on this rocky viewpoint (45.31357214.1974924 Donji vidikovac / Lower Viewpoint) with views of the summit ridge of Učka, Stražica cliff, Vela Draga canyon and Istria.

Učka and Ćićarija are built of limestone rock which had been forming by long-lasting deposition of limestone skeletons of planktonic organisms in the then Tethys Ocean in the Cretaceous period of 140 million years ago until the mid-Tertiary, 30 million years ago. A collision of the African and European plates rises Alps and the Dinarides, whose integral part are Učka and Ćićarija. Therefore, today, in this place, at a height of over 900 meters above sea level we can find the remains of organisms that once lived in the deep sea.

This section passes through some of the most enchanting parts of the trail, characterized by dense forest, lush moisture, and an abundance of moss and ferns. Along this path, you will encounter a series of rock art pieces—painted stones featuring nature motifs and deep symbolism.

This point consists of painted stones placed along the path. They were originally placed on stumps of felled trees (2016). The work symbolizes the soul of the trees and serves as a visual monument to the forest life that once flourished in those places, and which is reborn today.

In the place where the forest has been completely cleared there only remain sad stumps as a reminder of the impressive trees that once grew here and provided homes for numerous forest creatures. The land art installations here are a direct artistic reminder of the damage that arises due to the reckless and excessive cutting down of trees.

On several stumps there are painted stones that represent the soul of the missing trees, but also the seed of new life that emerges from the desolation of human activity. This points to the power of nature to be renewed and that is impossible to destroy nature.

The impressive works on the high cliffs are made with ecological paints and inspired by prehistoric art and floral motifs. The works are visible from afar and mark the cliff as a natural sanctuary that connects earth and sky.

The theme of this large rock painting (petroglyph measuring 300 x 300 cm) are lichens, their diversity and importance to the eco-system. Rock painting can be seen already from the main road, but you can get closer by the short branch trail, touch the rock art and enjoy under the Stražica cliff.

The lichens are extremely sensitive to human activities such as pollution and forest clearance. Due to the loss of habitats, changes in the microclimatic conditions and pollution of the air they have become endangered. Knowledge of the lihenoflore contributes to the knowledge of biodiversity in general and is an important bioindicator of different environmental conditions.

These rock art are works that use living moss as a motif for an artistic intervention. They depicts a single organ of moss that appears in its unusual life cycle. The works invite observation of details and appreciation of the smallest forms of life in nature.

The petroglyph painted on a small stone (36 x 36 cm) opposite the bench draws attention to moss, which has overgrown on the mass of stones on the rock creep under the Stražica cliffs. The place seems a bit like a fairytale. In the immediate vicinity there is a painted rock mosaic (290 x 450 cm), partly covered with moss. Both rock paintings are inspired by the intricate forms of moss sporangia (capsules with spores) and peristomes (openings of capsules).

There is a widespread misconception that moss grows on the north side of trees and rocks, and that it can determine the north. Moss grows in shady, moist areas regardless of the orientation of the habitat. This area, for example, faces the west.

The theme of this point is the spiral as a basic form of nature that appears from the microcosm to the macrocosm. The spiral form is present in DNA, in the shells of foraminifera that build the limestone rocks of Učka, in snail shells, in the twists of young fern leaves and other plants, in water eddies and large atmospheric cyclones, and in the shape of galaxies.

The first monolith (155 x 195 cm) is located along the trail and a spiral form alludes to the building elements of rocks of Učka and Ćićarija – the invisible spiral microfossils, that artistic work in this way makes it visible.

The second monolith (250 x 180 cm) is a little indented in the woods, and the spiral deals with ferns. After reflection on the rock paintings go beyond the monolith to a little rest area, or even climb the monolith and enjoy a different perspective of the forest.

This is short, blind branch of the Land Art Trail. It goes from the Entrance 2 to the Krog viewpoint on the Stražica cliff (996 m), and along that branch there is only one land art installation. After visiting Krog, you must get back to the Entrance 2, and then continue the trail by following orange markings.

The Sentinel is a striking wooden vertical that symbolically guards the border between the wooded part of the trail and open spaces. The work represents the archetypal figure of the protector of the mountain, who watches over every traveler who passes through here.

Land art installation made of acacia logs appropriately reminiscents of the sentinel (guard) because it is located on the rise to the 45.30722314.2033185 Krog Viewpoint on Stražica. Stražica took its name from the observation points from the Uskok-Venetian War in the 17th century. The remains are visible along the elongated ridge in the form of dry stone walls and little artificially levelled clearings.

Krog viewpoint at an altitude of 996 m offers a view of the western slopes of Učka, Istria and the Josephine Road, named in honour of Emperor Joseph II, who had it built at the end of the 18th century. The road connected Kvarner and Istria over the Poklon pass until the opening of the tunnel Učka in 1981.

Logs: 230 x 45 x 30 cm

The orange section of the Land Art Trail connects Entrance 2 with Entrance 1. Follow the orange markings through the forest and they will return you to Poklon, where you started your journey. This section features only one stone land art installation.

The trail's final point is a stone circle located on a grassy plateau with a view of the forest canopy. This work symbolizes wholeness, a complete journey, and a return to one's own center after an experience in nature.

On the grassy plateau above a steep slope (on “the balcony”) there is a simple small geoglyph with multilayered symbolism of the circle and the center (∅ = 5.5 m).

The place by itself can be a pleasant resting place – inside the circle or on a small elevation on which a big tree is growing. The tree invites you to hug it with gratitude to nature, and the entire site serves as a farewell to the forest before returning to the Poklon and into civilization.

The oldest rock and cave drawings, paintings and petroglyphs, which regularly appear throughout history in almost every "primitive" art, as well as the geoglyphs and monolithic structures of many ancient civilizations, can easily be classified as a precursors to land art as an artistic and conceptual movement that occurred in the 1960s in the US.

The whole Land Art Trail project can be described as an artistic, ecological and spiritual experience intended for visitors of the trail, where the artworks came to life under the influence of the mountain environment and its natural specificity, with elements of mythology and folklore that follow the concept of the artist's work. Rock art, as the dominant part of the project, incorporates the ancient influences with new artistic practices and materials, and extends the concept of land art itself.

In order to not get lost, follow the signposts and special markings in five colors (green, red, purple, pink, orange) along the trail.

As this is not an ordinary hiking trail but art walk, signposts on the trail are also designed in art manner. Handprint with the labyrinth is the logo of Land Art Trail and is located at the entrance signposts, but also on those that show the branches of trail that lead to some indented land art points. The palms with the labyrinth mark each land art point on the trail map too.

The detailed map of Land art trail shows two entrances on Poklon pass on Mount Učka, location of 20 land art and rock art works, four viewpoints, a pit cave, two restaurants, toilet and Info-center of Učka Nature Park.

The trail itself is marked with special markings in five colors (green, red, purple, pink, orange), so following the map you’ll know exactly where you are on the trail.

• There is a version of the Trail Map or GPX track that you can download.

In case of emergency, call The Croatian Mountain Rescue Service on 112.

After you visit the trail you can go to one of the restaurants located near the entrances to the trail (see the map). 45.30754214.2156141 Restaurant & Pansion Učka is near the main Entrance 1 at Poklon. There you can rent a room too. 45.30660314.206551 Restaurant Dopolavoro is near the Entrance 2.

On Mount Učka you can visit the following interesting trails and attractions:

• 45.28495214.2019821 Vojak, the highest peak of Mount Učka (1401 m) You can go there by car or on foot from Poklon pass. It is possible to visit the peak in the same day as Land Art Trail, because Vojak is in its vicinity. If you want to go there by car, follow the narrow road for Vojak, which from main road turns south at the Entrance 2, and drive for about 5.7 km. If you want to go there on foot, the best hiking trail starts on Poklon, near the Entrance 1 and Info-center of Učka Nature Park. You will need about 1.5 - 2 hours to get to the top on 1401 m, starting from an altitude of 922 m at Poklon. On the top is The Vojak Tower, built in 1911 to benefit from the mountain’s panoramic views of Istria, the Kvarner Bay with the islands, the mountains in the Gorski kotar area, Mount Velebit, the Alps, and Italy. In The Vojak Tower there is a souvenir shop.
• 45.31649914.1670422 Canyon of Vela Draga In order to visit this canyon you must drive by car about 5.1 km to Istria, from the Entrance 2 (or 5.9 km from the Entrance 1). The parking lot is on the left, 180 m after you pass the underpass of highway E751. It is possible to visit the canyon in the same day as Land Art Trail. The canyon has been protected as a geomorphological nature monument. The short educational trail passes along the edge of the canyon. Above the canyon is a well-tended vantage point where walkers can rest for a while and admire the view of the limestone towers. The more demanding part of the trail descends from this vantage point to the feet of the stone towers and the bottom of the canyon. The trail is about 2 km long, and you will need 1 - 1.5 hours for the tour.
• 45.33766914.2790763 Veprinac If you come from the direction of Rijeka or Opatija, on your way to Land Art Trail you pass through small village of Veprinac. It is worth stopping by medieval St. Mark church, situated on the prominent hill. From there you'll have a wide view of the Kvarner Bay.
• 45.2469814.214824 The Trebišća-Perun history and mythology trail This trail is on the far away side of the mountain. It starts in small city of Mošćenička Draga on the coast of Kvarner Bay. The trail is 15 km long, and you will need at least 7 hours for it. It goes from the sea level to the altitude of 880 m, through a deep gorge, up to the peak of Perun. It has long been supposed that these slopes of Mount Učka had very special significance for the first Slavic settlers. Today it is known that this area was chosen as the site for their most sacred beliefs, the stage for ancient mythical events on which the cycle of life and natural changes, crucial to human existence, were based. In addition to the Slavic mythic dimension of this area, you will also learn more about this area’s natural landscape and the history of the hard way in which people used to live here.