On 17 – 19 April 2026, the European project HIKE4ALL was presented in Aquileia (Italy) during the Aquileia Walking Routes Festival, an event dedicated to European walking and pilgrimage routes, featuring hikes, talks, and activities that enhance sustainable tourism, heritage, and community engagement crossing Aquileia. This historic city is famous for its extraordinary Roman and early Christian heritage, including one of the largest and most important archaeological sites in Northern Italy and the stunning Basilica of Aquileia, renowned for its ancient mosaic floors and UNESCO World Heritage status.
The event coincided with the general assembly of the European Association of the ST Cyril and Methodius Route, the Cultural Route of the Council of Europe, which celebrates the legacy of Saints Cyril and Methodius, the two Byzantine missionaries who spread Christianity and literacy among Slavic peoples, shaping the cultural and spiritual heritage of Central and Eastern Europe. On this occasion, new members officially joined the association managing the Route since 2013, including the cities of Plovdiv and Burgas (Bulgaria), Ohrid (North Macedonia), and the Museum of Moravian Slovakia in Uherské Hradiště (Czech Republic). This expansion further strengthens the Route’s European dimension, which now counts 48 member organisations.
The programme of the festival included both cultural and outdoor activities, and representatives of the Route participated in a hiking experience around Aquileia, while academic contributions enriched the event with lectures on the mission of Saints Cyril and Methodius and screenings of the documentary The Path of Light. Participants from several European countries attended the meeting in person and online, confirming the strong international cooperation behind the initiative.
Within this context, HIKE4ALL’s mission was presented as a key project supporting inclusive outdoor experiences along cultural routes. Coordinated by the European Association of the Via Francigena Ways, the project promotes inclusion, accessibility and active participation of people with disabilities through events, workshops, and inclusive walks across Europe. The collaboration with the European Cultural Route of Saints Cyril and Methodius and other partners contributes to sharing best practices and developing new inclusive initiatives in different countries. The presence of HIKE4ALL in Aquileia confirms the importance of cooperation between cultural routes at the European level. By connecting heritage, walking experiences, and social inclusion, the project contributes to making cultural tourism more accessible and meaningful for all.
[Photo credits: Martin Peterka and Lucie Bednárová (IG profile @luciebednarova_)]