For two years, we lived an epic adventure. Not on the other side of the world, but at home, in Europe, this continent we know so little about.
Europe: from Portugal to Turkey, 10,000 km on foot by the high route, the mountain way. Beyond the performance, this project turned towards the other and deeply anchored in a greener and more responsible travel idea was conceived to federate and inspire.
16 COUNTRIES, 10 000km+ and 320 000m of positive altitude MORE THAN 120 PARKS AND RESERVES...
01
PORTUGAL
40 days 772 km 3 regions Winter 2 guests 9200 m +
THE PORTUGUESE OPEN MIND
"Proud of their country, valuing work and family, the Portuguese make a strong impression on us. At the time, we did not realize the extent of this special generosity which will remain a reference throughout our trip.
"The diversity of the country leaves us speechless. Okay, we thought that everything would be easier. Navigation, communication, adapting to the seasons... We understand that after these first trials, our skin is already thicker than it was at the beginning of the trip."
"Our days are made up of scree, passes and elevation changes. We wash ourselves in the mountain lakes and we complete our meals with wild blueberries ".
76 days 1051 km 6 regions Summer 3 guests 63500 m +
THE PEAKS OF EUROPE
"Choosing the "high road" is to discover our continent through the territories that man has damaged the least. These regions are among the wildest in Europe and perhaps those where lifestyles change the slowest.
"The Slovenia we are exploring is wet, even soaked. For four weeks, it rained almost every day. As we get used to it, we find that it adds to the charm of the mysterious scenery.
"Our routine changes with the season. The temperature, the snow and the very short days make life difficult. We always end the day with wet feet, setting up camp takes longer and so does cooking.
"We choose to go through a real border crossing and show our credentials to leave the EU. It is also a way to be sure not to meet a mine on a misunderstanding ".
"Changing the route is not trivial here. Never since the beginning of our route, we have struggled so much with the cartography. Information is scarce and Open Source maps, although incomplete, are the only ones available.
"They are not stray dogs, they are sheepdogs. They are trained to defend the flock. Against wolves for example, but also against anything that threatens the sheep. You have to react quickly. And well."
60 days 1313 km 4 regions Summer 6 guests 39070 m +
LANDS AND SEAS OF HISTORY
"We are in the mountains of Vardoussia. This is the second time this week that we broke our nose on a closed refuge. We have to get out of there, we have nothing to eat.
"The situation here is worse than in the rest of Europe: abandoned houses and dying villages. Young people reject rural life, they all move to the city or go abroad.
85 days 1053 km 7 regions Fall - Winter 3 guests 32,500 m +
THE HARSHNESS OF WINTER
"When we reached the summit of Botev at 2,376 meters, we realized that we were on the last section of the adventure at an altitude of more than 2,000 meters. We will never climb so high again.
"We pass through a region that is not very touristy and our hiker looks do not go unnoticed. In the cafes, men often come and sit at our table and chat with us.