If this blog taught you anything is that Europe is taking the preservation of its nature very seriously. As such, it is no wonder that the continent has even created ecotourism routes that connect 35 countries and make up for an unforgettable travelling experience.
History
The idea for Pan-European ecotourism routes started out as a private initiative that could help preserve rural areas. In 1995, Pierre Guerry, a consultant for the European Federation of the Mountain (FFEM), suggested the creation of a vast network of sites of natural, cultural, and historical importance across the continent.
By doing this, Europe would boost interest of its rural areas and thus lead to sustainable economic development. It was also important for Guerry to accentuate on the conservation of nature and local customs. Tourists could help preserve both of these things by travelling down the routes and Guerry recognized the growing interest in this type of tourism (ecotourism).
UNESCO showed support for the initiative in 1998 and proposed which national parks and historical sites could be included. Soon after, the first map was drawn by students of the Alpine Geography Institute of Grenoble and it received UNESCO’s seal of approval.
A bit later, the first 1,000 maps were released and there was a “test drive” in Aosta Valley, Italy. After another five years, five routes were laid out on new maps, which were unveiled in Hungary along with another “test drive”.
The project, however, was put on hold as the European Union couldn’t provide finances after it experienced its biggest enlargement between 2004 and 2007. Still, the same year a trademark for “Touring Nature The Ecotourism Pan European Routes” was filed in France, so the organizers were serious about their venture.
The organizers later signed deals with over 600 private companies that would accommodate tourists on the routes by providing a place to stay, along with many other activities. Part of these local manufacturers currently finance the project. By 2013, the project was finalized.
The Mediterranean Route
The Mediterranean route provides visitors with luscious beaches, clear waters, and the best seafood on the continent. Ecotourists can also learn more about the history of the ancient region, which is also known as the European cradle of civilization. You’d find yourself amidst the beauty of the seacoast and the majestic Greek and Roman structures.
The Mediterranean route is 8,000 km long and it spawns over 10 countries, starting in Portugal and ending in Greece:
- Portugal: 1 region
- Spain: 3 regions, 8 natural parks, 12 UNESCO sites, 3 pilgrimage sites
- Andorra: 1 region, 1 UNESCO site
- France: 3 regions, 9 natural parks, 8 UNESCO sites, 6 pilgrimage sites
- Italy: 12 regions, 21 natural parks, 22 UNESCO sites, 6 pilgrimage sites
- Croatia: 4 regions, 5 natural parks, 6 UNESCO sites
- Bosnia and Herzegovina: 1 region, 1 natural park, 1 UNESCO site, 2 pilgrimage sites
- Montenegro: 1 region, 2 natural parks, 1 UNESCO site
- Albania: 6 regions, 1 natural park, 2 UNESCO sites
- Greece: 3 regions, 5 natural parks, 4 UNESCO sites
The Atlantic Route
The Atlantic route would take you to the European Atlantic region through countries with a glorious maritime past that turned most of them into empires. This route is usually frequented by people from the Americas who want to visit their ancestral lands, while learning about the history and traditions of the people there.
The Atlantic route is close to 8,300 km long and it encompasses five countries, starting from Portugal and ending in Ireland:
- Portugal: 3 regions, 5 natural parks, 7 UNESCO sites, 1 pilgrimage site
- Spain: 4 regions, 8 natural parks, 4 UNESCO sites, 3 pilgrimage sites
- France: 7 regions, 12 natural parks, 4 UNESCO sites, 10 pilgrimage sites
- United Kingdom: 17 regions, 16 natural parks, 14 UNESCO sites, 1 pilgrimage site
- Ireland: 3 regions, 4 natural parks, 1 UNESCO site, 1 pilgrimage site
The Nordic Route
We’re not entirely sure why the Nordic Route is called that way since it includes many non-Nordic countries, but what we are sure of is that you’d have the time of your life exploring so many different cultures and the largest concentrated number of natura parks.
The Nordic Route is approximately 11,500 km and as such it’s the longest ecotourism Pan-European route. It spawns over 13 countries, starting in France and ending in Poland:
- France: 4 regions, 9 natural parks, 7 UNESCO sites, 5 pilgrimage sites
- Belgium: 3 regions, 1 natural park, 8 UNESCO sites, 1 pilgrimage site
- Netherlands: 8 regions, 9 natural parks, 6 UNESCO sites, 1 pilgrimage site
- Germany: 3 regions, 7 natural parks, 3 UNESCO sites, 1 pilgrimage site
- Denmark: 1 region, 1 UNESCO site
- Sweden: 4 regions, 6 natural parks, 4 UNESCO sites
- Norway: 4 regions, 8 natural parks, 4 UNESCO sites, 1 pilgrimage site
- Finland: 7 regions, 14 natural parks, 4 UNESCO sites
- Estonia: 6 regions, 3 natural parks, 1 UNESCO site
- Latvia: 2 regions, 2 natural parks, 1 UNESCO site
- Lithuania: 2 regions, 5 natural parks, 1 pilgrimage site
- Russia: 1 region
- Poland: 1 region, 1 natural park, 2 UNESCO sites, 1 pilgrimage site
The Central Route
The Central route takes you to the heart of Europe and explores gorgeous landscapes with rich traditions, allowing you to see a lot of rural communities with fascinating handicraft. There’s no need to say that the food is also incredible and “very bio”!
The Central route is 7,200 km and it crosses eight countries, starting in France and ending in Russia:
- France: 4 regions, 7 natural parks, 4 UNESCO sites, 11 pilgrimage sites
- Luxembourg: 3 regions, 1 natural park, 1 UNESCO site, 1 pilgrimage site
- Germany: 6 regions, 3 natural parks, 14 UNESCO sites, 1 pilgrimage site
- Czech Republic: 2 regions, 2 natural parks, 1 UNESCO site
- Poland: 5 regions, 7 natural parks, 5 UNESCO sites, 2 pilgrimage sites
- Lithuania: 3 regions, 2 natural parks, 2 UNESCO sites, 1 pilgrimage site
- Belarus: 2 regions
- Russia: 1 region, 2 natural parks, 7 UNESCO sites
The Occidental Route
The Occidental route covers the largest number of countries. It also has the most pilgrimage sites, teaching you about various Christian denominations and their particular customs, while showcasing you the different architectural styles of the places of worship. When you’re not learning about a millennium old church, you can explore the luscious forests and lively rivers.
The Occidental route is about 10,400 km long and it covers 14 countries, starting in France and ending in Turkey:
- France: 2 regions, 10 natural parks, 2 UNESCO sites, 8 pilgrimage sites
- Italy: 3 regions, 8 natural parks, 3 UNESCO sites, 5 pilgrimage sites
- Switzerland: 8 regions, 1 natural park, 2 UNESCO sites, 2 pilgrimage sites
- Germany: 1 region, 1 natural park, 1 UNESCO site, 3 pilgrimage sites
- Austria: 3 regions, 2 natural parks, 5 UNESCO sites, 3 pilgrimage sites
- Czech Republic: 5 regions, 1 natural park, 6 UNESCO sites, 1 pilgrimage site
- Poland: 2 regions, 3 natural parks, 2 UNESCO sites, 1 pilgrimage site
- Slovakia: 2 regions, 1 natural park, 2 UNESCO sites
- Ukraine: 1 region, 1 natural park
- Hungary: 5 regions, 5 natural parks, 3 UNESCO sites, 2 pilgrimage sites
- Romania: 4 regions, 11 natural parks, 4 UNESCO sites
- Serbia: 1 region, 2 natural parks, 1 UNESCO site
- Bulgaria: 13 regions, 2 natural parks, 5 UNESCO sites, 1 pilgrimage site
- Turkey: 1 region, 1 UNESCO site, 1 pilgrimage site