Next steps taken towards a future European Green Belt Hiking Trail

Members of the European Green Belt Association, the European Hiking Federation and the European Mountaineering Association have met for a productive 2-day meeting in Austria to finalise a project concept for implementing a future European Green Belt Hiking Trail.

Group photo of the European Green Belt Hiking Trail project 'Coordination Group', taken against the backdrop of the Kitzbühel Alps in Tyrolia. © European Green Belt Association/European Hiking Federation/European Mountaineering Association

 

Since the first meetings in spring 2025, the European Green Belt Association has been working jointly with the European Hiking Federation, the European Mountaineering Association, and other local partners to develop a concept for a future long-distance hiking trail themed around the European Green Belt. This trail will be implemented within the framework of the European Hiking Federation's E-Paths, which are European long-distance trails that connect national and regional hiking routes, enabling hikers to discover Europe's natural and cultural heritage.

Although the European Green Belt has already been the focus of several tourism initiatives (including the EuroVelo 13 cycling path and many regional and local hiking trails), there is currently no hiking trail that exclusively follows the European Green Belt and is themed around it. A long-distance hiking trail of this kind has the potential to offer many benefits, such as making the history and nature of the European Green Belt more accessible, providing health benefits associated with outdoor sports and recreation, and generating income for local communities through sustainable tourism.

Over the past few months, the partners have been working on a concrete project proposal outlining the future implementation of the European Green Belt Hiking Trail. The two-day meeting, which took place in the inspiring surroundings of the Kitzbüheler Alps from 27 to 28 January 2026, was an important step towards finalising the project concept. 

Although more work is needed and funding needs to be secured, the partners are optimistic about the prospect of realising the European Green Belt Hiking Trail in the near future. 

 

For more information, please contact: association(at)europeangreenbelt.org