Guided Hikes in Nature : Place Attachment, Nature Connectedness and Wellbeing

Abstract: The disconnection with nature as a consequence ofthe migration from rural areas to urban spaces in thelast decades, has supposed a physical and mentalchange in the population. Experiences in nature haveshown to be a restoration factor and an improvementin physical and mental health. In this research, therole of guided hikes in aspects such as natureconnectedness, place attachment and well-being willbe deepened.Hence, an experiment has been carried out in whichtwo conditions were studied, unguided and guidedwalks, with the aim of observing the impact of eachone on the experience. Well-being was studiedthrough a comparative survey, taking pre-hike andpost-hike surveys. Place attachment and NatureConnectedness were studied with a survey at the endof the walks.The results have not been able to confirm thehypotheses, but that is why the limitations that havearisen throughout the study, and the discussionaround them, are of great importance.