The European project HIKE4ALL kickstarted its activities in Italy on 17–18 April 2026 with two days of workshops, inclusive walks and field activities held in Ivrea and Bollengo, in the region of Piedmont. Coordinated by the European Association of the Via Francigena Ways, the project aims to promote a more accessible and inclusive model of slow tourism by improving access to cultural routes and walking experiences for all. The Italian event brought together over 200 participants, including local authorities, international project partners, associations, students, tourism stakeholders and citizens.
The events were designed not only as a public moment of exchange, but also as a practical opportunity to test inclusive approaches and highlight the importance of accessibility in outdoor and cultural tourism. A central element of HIKE4ALL’s mission is the direct involvement of people with disabilities and the recognition of their experience as essential to building more inclusive walking routes. This approach shaped the entire programme in Italy, where participants with and without disabilities took part side by side in shared activities and discussions.
The first day featured a public workshop focused on accessible tourism, inclusion and social innovation. The event included inspiring testimonies from ambassadors who shared personal and professional perspectives and it was attended by a large audience, including many local students. The second day moved from discussion to direct experience, with an accessible urban trekking activity in Ivrea followed by an inclusive walk between Ivrea and Bollengo. People with visual, hearing and mobility impairments joined the route together with other participants, offering a concrete example of how outdoor activities can become more inclusive through appropriate planning, cooperation and awareness.
The Italian stage also marked an important milestone for the project consortium, as it hosted the first in-person meeting of HIKE4ALL partners. Representatives from participating countries met to exchange good practices, strengthen collaboration and define the next phases of implementation.
All activities were free and open to the public and were organised in cooperation with Regione Piemonte, Turismo Torino e Provincia, the Municipalities of Ivrea and Bollengo, and the Association of the Friends of the Via Francigena of Ivrea.
Following the launch in Italy, HIKE4ALL will continue from May to October 2026 across other partner countries and routes in Spain, Norway, the Czech Republic, Türkiye and France, contributing to the development of a stronger European network of accessible and inclusive walking experiences.
[Credits: AEVF]