The Via Alpina is at the same time a symbolical and visible link between the 8 signatory states of the Alpine Convention and a very concrete sustainable tourism action. The Via Alpina network is a partner of the Alpine Convention since the project has been recognised to be a contribution of the Alpine Convention implementation by the VIIth Alpine Conference in 2002, reinforced by the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention (watch the photogallery).

VIA ALPINA TRAVEL FELLOWSHIP - THE RESULTS 2013

A travelling cinema, the first geocaching trail on the Via Alpina, the journey of a red plastic elephant and a comparison of the Alpine massifs by two teenagers: these are the themes of the four projects selected for the Via Alpina Travel Fellowships 2013 awarded by the Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention, the Via Alpina Secretariat of the Principality of Monaco and the international Via Alpina network:
 

A cinema in the backpack: Anne Versailles and Geoffroy De Schutter, their two sons Jephan and Niels (at the time 13 and 11-year-old) and their two-year-old malamute dog Ushka (from Brussels, Belgium) crossed the Alps in autonomy during the summer 2010. Anne created “12 legs and 5 backpacks”, a very personal and artistic movie with the aim of sharing the feelings and enrichment brought about by this journey. The whole family is taking to the trails again this summer, with the necessary equipment in their backpacks to show the movie in the villages and huts along a 3-week hike in the Western Alps. Additional Info
The Via Alpina Geocache Trail: the Mediterranean Gate: Andreas Aschaber (Kirchberg in Tirol, Austria) is going to put in place a geocaching trail (or multi-cache) along the first 14 stages of the Via Alpina Red Trail, from Monaco to Castérino. Fully integrated in the environment by using mostly virtual caches as well as riddles helping discover the surrounding nature, the trail will open the Via Alpina to the steeply expanding group of geocachers, interested by a playful experience in the outdoors. Additional Info
“Attention Hannibalism – red elephant sighted on the Via Alpina!” An art project on route between Mont-Blanc and Cote d’Azur: Thomas Falk, artist (Bremen, Germany) has been hiking for several years through the Alps together with his dachshund and with an inflatable elephant in his backpack. The bright red elephant provides for an unusual photographic documentation. This year they will follow the Red and Blue Trails from the Mont-Blanc to the Mediterranean. Additional Info
Unknown hiking area or famous tourist arena? The Via Alpina in north-eastern Italy: The “Youth” Fellowship has been allocated to Vincent Neeb and Katharina Boie (both 14 years old and from the Munich area in Germany). They will hike for two weeks in the South-Eastern Alps: Julian Alps, Carnic Alps and Dolomites. They will compare the geology, the culture and the tourism evolution of the different massifs together and with respect to those of Bavaria and Tyrol, reflecting about the best balance to be found to preserve the experience of mountain and allow the sustainable development of the Alpine areas. Additional Info

These projects give a personal view on the Via Alpina, cross-border hiking (or other non-motorised travel) and the issues important to the sustainable development of the Alps. 

Moral support:

The international and monegasque Via Alpina Secretariats and the Permanent Secretariat of the Alpine Convention are also morally supporting the other following candidate projects, which will be carried out this summer:

The mountain in the heart: Omar Beretta (Bergame, Italy) is affected by a genetic cardiac disease and carrier of a defibrillator since 2006. Sports and the mountain have allowed him to overcome the secondary psychological effects of his condition. He is  testifying about it along a one-month hike along the Via Alpina Yellow Trail, adorned with several summit ascents.

Meet the locals on the Via Alpina: Thierry (France) will cross the Alps from Monaco to Trieste on the different Via Alpina trails, and interview the inhabitants met along his way (shepherds, hut keepers, villagers, traders etc.). His blog: viaalpina2013.wordpress.com.

The Pearls of Europe: Manuel Hefti (Rapperswil, Switzerland), photographer, is hiking from his home to Slovenia. He documents his journey in image and sound on his blog www.perleneuropas.ch and via numerous podcasts.

Every step counts: Lisa Nel and her mother Beverley (from Johannesburg, South Africa) are embarking on a walk of the Green Trail (from Liechtenstein to Montreux) in order to raise awareness among the people encountered to the poaching of the rhino in their country. They are collecting funds for a South-African association.

Archive awards 2012 and 2011