The approximately 30-kilometre route connected cycling, nature, astronomy and environmental education, demonstrating how the protection of dark skies can become part of new forms of sustainable tourism and outdoor recreation.
The rally started at the Planetarium and Astronomical Observatory in Grudziądz. As darkness fell, the cyclists headed towards Pięćmorgi. With every kilometre, the artificial lights of the city became more distant, gradually giving way to the quiet and darkness of the Tuchola Forests.
Arriving at the Pięćmorgi Star Landing Site, participants had the opportunity to experience first-hand the value of a naturally dark night sky. Away from urban light sources, significantly more stars become visible.
Telescopes and binoculars provided an opportunity to explore the night sky, while experts introduced participants to astronomy, astrotourism and the importance of protecting natural darkness.
Dark skies: a natural resource to protect
The event also highlighted that dark skies are much more than a resource for astronomy enthusiasts. Natural darkness is an important component of the night-time environment and plays a role in the functioning of ecosystems.
Excessive or poorly directed artificial light can interfere with the natural rhythms and behaviour of many species, including insects, bats, amphibians and nocturnal and migratory birds. Reducing unnecessary light pollution therefore contributes not only to better conditions for observing the stars, but also to the protection of biodiversity.
The Tuchola Forests offer particularly favourable conditions for this approach. Their extensive forest areas and relatively limited artificial lighting create an environment where the night sky can remain clearly visible.
The Pięćmorgi cycling event demonstrated the potential of combining dark-sky protection with sustainable tourism and active recreation.
A pilot experience within DARKERSKY4CE
The cycling rally was one of the pilot activities implemented in the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship within DARKERSKY4CE. The project aims to raise awareness of light pollution, strengthen the protection of dark skies and support local and regional stakeholders in developing solutions that can be applied in other Central European territories.
The activities in the region are being carried out in cooperation with several organisations, including the Dąbrowa Forest District, Wdecki Landscape Park, Nicolaus Copernicus University and the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Academy of Innovation.
The experience at Pięćmorgi shows how a dark-sky destination can become a meeting point between science, environmental protection, tourism and local communities – turning the night sky into an asset for sustainable territorial development.
DARKERSKY4CE continues to explore how Central European regions can work together to protect natural darkness and make the value of dark skies visible to citizens, visitors and decision-makers.
