The Via Egnatia has become part of the Via Eurasia,

a route of Empires, linking Europe to the East

The Via Egnatia Foundation works together with the Via Francigena Association (Italy), Sultans Trail (Holland/Turkey), Paths of Greece, Tirana Trails (Albania), and the Turkish Cultural Routes Society in the Cultural Association of the Via Eurasia (CAVea). Together, by linking parts of all our trails, we are making one long hiking trail: the VIA EURASIA.

We share all our expertise, a synergy that has opened the door to a vast reservoir of knowledge, experience and knowhow for all participants in the fields of route making, promotion, sustainable management, international contacts, etc. The CAVea is to become a professional organization for the management of the whole route, while the individual trails will still will keep their own character, guide books, apps, and websites.

For the Via Egnatia Foundation this is a great opportunity to ensure the growth and future of the Via Egnatia Hiking Trail.

The VIA EURASIA, together with the VIA FRANCIGENA is an ambitious, long-distance cultural route running from Canterbury in the UK to Rome, across Italy and the Balkans, through western Turkey to Demre on the Lycian coast of Turkey’s southwest… and beyond. The VIA EURASIA links Via Francigena del Sud, Via Egnatia, Sultans Trail, Tolerance Way, Evliya Çelebi Way, Phrygian Way, St Paul Trail, and Lycian Way.

The VIA EURASIA, together with the VIA FRANCIGENA, extends from the north-westernmost limit of Europe to its eastern edge, and links diverse cultures and landscapes in a unified whole. It tracks through ancient kingdoms and colonies, and along Muslim and Christian pilgrimage and faith routes.

The initial and final stages of the VIA EURASIA – the Via Francigena and the Lycian Way-are already very popular trails, and other existing cultural routes are gaining recognition. The Via Egnatia trail is ready from the Albanian coast to Kipi on the Turkish border. The remainder of the VIA EURASIA is under active construction. Once completed, including the Via Francigena, the route will be a continuous hiking trail 5600km in length. Some sections are also suitable for biking and horse-riding.

The VIA EURASIA is currently applying for the official status of European Cultural Route of the Council of Europe. A lot of work has already been done until now: meetings, promotional activities, releases of guide books. The project was funded by the Turkish government and the European Union (Civil Society). The assessment is well underway now and we hope to get the status in spring 2021!

Read more on Via Eurasia.org