ESP – ENG
Quiet Parks International has awarded MontañasVacías the title of Quiet Trail, making it the first in Europe and the first bike route in the world to achieve this distinction.
Quiet Parks International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to identifying the world’s quietest places and raising awareness about the benefits of preserving them for people and wildlife.
It has a network of volunteers around the world who verify and certify different spaces according to its acoustic quality criteria. Silence is not considered to be the absence of sound, but rather the absence of man-made noise pollution. There are different categories for these certifications, such as Wilderness Quiet Parks, Urban Quiet Parks or Quiet Trails.
Montañas Vacías joins Niobrara Wild and Scenic River Trail, in Nebraska, USA, awarded in 2023, and Coifing Lake Circular Trail, Taipingshan National Forest, in Taiwan, awarded in 2022.
Photo: Tomás Montes – @arrieredupeloton
The Process
The road to this point began two years ago with the first conversations with Quiet Parks, through a rewarding process of learning, research and many kilometers to get to know the real dimension of this great treasure that is the natural quiet of this area. Learning was the only motivation, so it was a great surprise when they told me that it was possible to meet the parameters required to award the project.
Usually, the awarded spaces are large entities, parks or administrations, not small and humble projects like this one. It’s a great responsibility, but I also think it’s another proof of the enormous power we have as individuals to advance step by step towards a better planet.
The key moment in this learning process was in 2023, when two Quiet Parks volunteers, Emily Hesler and Ursula Bravo, rode different sections of the route to record and test its acoustic quality. It was a real privilege to ride with such talented and experienced people.
«The quality of sound in the environment is an essential sign of ecological health. To have a meaningful observation of ecological acoustics you must take a journey. A journey of experience and contrast. For me, this was as important of an inner journey as an outer one. A search for quiet and solitude, but also a shared experience, allowing the space of the location to bring people closer to each other and closer to themselves».
Nick McMahan, Director of Quiet Trails
impact on the area
Protecting silence in the last environments where we can still find it has effects that go beyond the acoustic aspect. It is one of the most powerful tools for taking care of our natural environments, but also for taking care of ourselves. In a life increasingly disconnected from nature, it is crucial to preserve these last points of reconnection, these Sanctuaries of Silence.
It can also be a good opportunity for our villages to attract a different profile of traveler, more connected to the reality and true value of the places they visit. Focusing not on the quantity of visitors, but on the quality.
Photo above: Tomás Montes – @arrieredupeloton
An alternative ceremony
The award ceremony took place a few days ago, far from formalities and true to my style. Nothing better than to ride with Quiet Parks volunteers again for a few days. The perfect celebration for me. Emily Hesler repeated her visit, this time accompanied by Nahun Saldaña, another international expert on the subject.
In the coming weeks, I will be posting more information about the whole process, the two visits by Quiet Parks volunteers, and all of the upcoming news. I don’t see this award as the end of a journey, but rather the beginning of a new one, and I can’t wait to tell you more!
Links for further information
–Press Release in pdf (english)
–Press Release in pdf (spanish)
–Press Release on Quiet Parks International’s website
Acknowledgments
To my great friend Carlos Izquierdo, who put me on the track of this Association a long time ago. Without him and his support, all this would not have been possible.
Thanks also to Nick McMahan and Vikram Chauhan, from Quiet Parks International, for all their work to get here. To Gordon Hempton, for all his light and inspiration to step forward in the protection of Quiet. And of course, to Úrsula, Emily, and Nahun, Quiet Parks volunteers who rode this area, leaving their mark on me. I’ve learned so much from you! Also to Sergio Pulido and Tomás Montes for their beautiful work riding with us on QPI’s second visit.
Cover Photo: Tomás Montes – @arrieredupeloton
Montañas Vacías 