by James Ruggia
Last updated: 11:50 AM ET, Wed April 23, 2014
Three new European hiking trails in eight different countries are debuting this year in regions as far apart as Scotland and Turkey. There's no more intimate way to experience a destination than by hiking it and these trails celebrate history as much as they do nature.
European Peace Walk
This July 28, Europe will introduce a new way to celebrate peace when it cuts the ribbon on the European Peace Walk (EPW) which will allow hikers to cross borders that 100 years ago could only be crossed by tanks and soldiers. Located in Central Europe, the 323- mile trail commemorates the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I. Beginning in Vienna and Bratislava, the trail will run all the way to Trieste passing through five countries along the way: Austria, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia, and Slovenia. A fit hiker could complete the entire trail in 22 days. Not to worry; there will be multiple access points where you can enter the trail and walk as much of it as you like.
The trail combines historical sites and scenic beauty with an ample number of towns and villages on the trail. Organizers for the EPW predict the trail will draw more than 30,000 visitors per year before the end of its first decade of existence. The EPW will be lined with budget accommodations across its entire length. In fact, numerous hostels are already in place along the route, granting backpackers access to basic, affordable accommodations located approximately a day's walk apart. For those looking for more comfortable accommodations, nicer hotels will be available as well.
John Muir Way
While the EPW celebrates peace, another new European trail will celebrate environmentalism, Scotland's John Muir Way (JMW). This year Scotland honored a native son, John Muir, whose intimate hiking experience of both Scotland and California led to writings that were instrumental in the development of environmental consciousness. On April 6, Muir was acknowledged in Martinez, California at The John Muir National Historic Site as part of the Scotland Week celebrations and to mark the opening of the new John Muir Way pathway in Scotland.
The plaque, which cites Muir's role as a founding father of the national parks system, is one of two identical plaques. The other will be displayed in Muir's birthplace of Dunbar, Scotland. Carved by Scottish craftspeople in Pitairlie Sandstone, the stones depict the Giant Sequoias of Yosemite entwined with the Thistle of Scotland to symbolize Scotland and the United States of America in nature and the love that John Muir had for both countries; his birthplace and his adopted home.
The Scottish coastal town is now the gateway to the new JMW 130 mile trail, which was launched in Muir's honor, as part of Scotland's Year of Homecoming 2014. The trail opened on April 21, during the inaugural Scottish John Muir Festival (April 17 to 26), to mark both the conservationist's birthday and the centenary of his death.
Running between Dunbar and Helensburgh, the trail takes in castles, historic towns and villages, stunning coastal scenery as well as Scotland's first national park, Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park. The path has been split into manageable sections, so that walkers and cyclists can take in sections of the path as well as taking on the challenge of the entire route.
Karia Walking Route
Way over on the other side of Europe, another nature-based trail recently completed its first anniversary. About 100,000 visitors have traveled to Turkey to walk in the footsteps of the ancients, journeying down all or part of the 480-mile long Karia Walking Route in southwestern Turkey. Like Scotland's Muir Trail, the Karia trail mixes nature with many villages, interesting architecture, virgin coves, prehistoric rock paintings, and ancient cities.
The trail is sponsored by the Turkish province of Mugla, which more or less occupies much of the land that was the ancient kingdom of Karia. The route literally joins together many of the ancient footpaths that connected the regions towns and villages in antiquity. Officials in Mugla see the trail as a way to stretch the region's seasonality. Most tourists come to Mugla in the hottest six months of the year, even though the region is relatively warm all year long. Turkey has invested in abundant signage, erecting some 220 signs and 33,000 markings to help hikers on their way as they visit places of interest such as Marmaris, Içmeler, the Datça Peninsula, the Gökova Gulf, Akyaka and Milos.
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