The nearly 2,000-mile project is an effort to combat overtourism in Portugal.
or else of charge visitorsentry feesor limiting the number of people permit at iconic watershed , Portugalhas found another groundbreaking solution toovertourism , or so the res publica hopes .
knight Palmihar Portugal , the raw circular hiking route will be the world ’s largest , with almost 2,000 mile of path . Its first section will open up in Alenquer ( just north of Lisbon ) in July , and it will welcome visitors ready to explore by invertebrate foot or motorcycle . According to Portugal ’s plan , another 15 sections should open up by the end of 2024 , and eventually , the route will reportedly cross 90 - 100 districts . In gain to being a unparalleled attractor that draw tourists to the country , the project is also a direction to dissuade tourists from crowd together Portugal ’s most iconic metropolis ( include Lisbon and Porto ) and direct them off the beaten way of life instead . The path will let outdoors enthusiasts to give away Portugal , from its most iconic cities and known locales , such as Lisbon and the Douro Valley , to its out of sight gems , like the Tras - Os - Montes region .
This room , Portugal hopes to farm the tourism industry in the country without burdening its most famous destinations with the cost of overtourism . As Thrillist previously reported , overcrowding has led to various issues , including damage to the environment and landmark and negative repercussion on the local anesthetic ' quality of biography , such as increase rents .
Douro Valley, Portugal|rusm/iStock/Getty Images
At the same time , Portugal aim at boost the local economic system by bringing tourists to new , semi - uncharted area . By encouraging visitors to discover more rural and niche cities and regions through the new path , the country is fancy steadfast growth in the local economy of those areas .
If you ’re disquieted about navigating the route , do not fret . There will be a consecrated app available for visitors , and once you ’re there , you ’ll even be give way a strong-arm recommendation to stamp along your way .
