After having organised two weekends of hikes and workshops along the Via Francigena in Apulia for the European project HIKE, the team of the European Association of the Via Francigena (EAVF) took part in the project partners’ activities in Greece and Türkiye. These events represented an important opportunity for exchange of best practices among the route managers and promotion of healthy lifestyles through outdoor activities and sustainable tourism.

In October, the activities were focused on the Via Egnatia. This historic road crosses the Balkan region and played a significant role in antiquity as a communication route between Western and Eastern Europe. Together with the project partners Paths of Greece, EAVF explored several stages of the path near Edessa, known for its waterfalls and natural beauty as well as attended the workshop on safety on a hike.

 The November events In Türkiye focused on outdoor activities and networking, offering EAVF the chance to meet representatives of the local authorities and local associations in change of the Tolerance Way,  creating synergies between the Via Francigena and other culturally significant routes, while sharing expertise in governance and sustainability. Organised by the Culture Routes Society, participants walked along the Tolerance way, a route located in the Kocaeli region connecting the cities of Izmit and Iznik in north-western Türkiye. This route is known for its goal of promoting peaceful coexistence among different ethnic and religious communities, uniting the historical and cultural diversity of the area.

The final event in Izmit marked the conclusion of the active phase of the HIKE project, offering walking enthusiasts and local residents the opportunity to explore walking routes in Italy, Greece, and Türkiye, showcasing how walking can enhance physical, mental, and psychological well-being. The partners had the chance to exchange best practices, gain hands-on experience in managing various routes, and contribute to an academic study on the health benefits of walking.

Pictures courtesy: www.cultureroutesinturkey.com – www.pathsofgreece.gr – @mogli_intecity – @travelstoriesfromyworld – @kokladunyayi – @trailofus