Abstract
Hiking is one of the most widespread outdoor recreational activities, offering diverse opportunities for physical and mental well-being. However, certain “hotspot” areas attract large numbers of visitors, often leading to perceived crowding and a reduced quality of recreational experience. This study examines the factors influencing the perception of crowding among hikers at popular destinations in Slovenia. Perceived crowding is defined as a negative individual evaluation of the number of people present in a physical setting. A quantitative field survey of hikers was conducted at six hiking destinations representing three types of hiking environments: suburban trails, hilly areas, and mountain regions. The study tested six groups of potential determinants: psychological, social, spatial, demographic, situational, and contextual factors, that influence how visitors perceive crowding. The results show that the perception of crowding is shaped by both personal characteristics and spatial context, varying notably across different types of hiking environments. By integrating spatial, social, and psychological dimensions, this research provides a comprehensive framework for understanding crowding in outdoor recreation. The findings may contribute to the development of more resilient management strategies for hiking destinations by balancing visitor satisfaction with environmental and social sustainability.
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Changing Dimensions of Contemporary Leisure
KEYWORDS
Hiking, Perceived crowding, Visitor experience, Factors, Resilience, Outdoor recreation
