HIKE - HIKing for a healthier lifestylE along European Cultural Routes

HIKing for a healthier lifestylE promotes sports and health enhancing physical activities in 2 EU member states and a candidate country via a series of 3-days long distance hikes along European Cultural Routes organised for local communities and tourists, sports enthusiasts, clubs and children. HIKE takes place in Italy, Greece and Turkey during April - September 2024, following selected stretches of the Via Francigena in Italy, Via Egnatia in Greece and Via Eurasia in Turkey. The project raises awareness of common European identity and memory as walkers follow the footsteps of Romans, Byzantines and mediaeval pilgrims through Southern Italy, Balkans and Asia Minor. HIKE, with animation and side events, will celebrate walking as a universally accessible, all year-round way to stay fit and provide access to free infrastructure for locals and visitors, and a methodology for organising long-distance hikes for municipalities. It will involve participants of all ages, incomes, nationality and abilities. Side events (workshops, animations, etc.) will provide insights on physical training, equipment preparation, first aid and survival, cultural and environmental awareness. Sports celebrities will share personal experiences and inspiration to keep active. Participants' health and wellbeing will be monitored and the data analysed. HIKE builds upon the positive experience of the project partners, and will increase awareness of walking and hiking for healthier lifestyle, social inclusion and environmental awareness as well as intercultural dialogue via visiting and learning about cultural heritage along the routes. HIKE will allow participants to open up, connect to other people, improve mental health and start the habit of walking for HEPA. Post-Covid recovery of these aspects of public well-being are directly addressed. The project will develop a lasting positive effect and will disseminate its outcomes and results via a digital platform.