LET’S GO
The Sultans Trail, a European Cultural Route is a 2,500 km long-distance hiking and cycling trail from Vienna to Istanbul. Hiking the entire Trail will take an average of 20-25 weeks, while cycling will take around five weeks.
Cultures
The Sultans Trail passes through amazing nature, with many idyllic old villages boasting Ottoman, Habsburg, Byzantine, Roman, and communist heritage. From archaeological sites, imposing castles, and old monasteries to “brutalist architecture” dating from the Soviet modernist era, many civilizations have had their influence here. You will be surprised by this rich mix of cultures.
East meets West
Contrary to its past, when it was a path of conquest, the Sultans Trail is nowadays a path of peace, a meeting place for people of different faiths, cultures, and backgrounds. That’s why we consciously choose to let the Sultans Trail, run back from Vienna to Istanbul, from conquest to “collaboration in diversity.”
IMPRESSIONS
Serbia, Smederevo Fortress
Cyclists
Hungary, Budapest Gülbaba
Gülbaba Budapest
Sven Jense, Nichon Glerum & Jacky
Hikers
Istanbul
Fruska Gora
Sombor
Apatin
Camping in the fruittrees
Total distance in km
Sections
Countries
Monuments
Natural reserves
STORY ROOM
Stories and blogs from our Sultans Trail hikers and cyclists. Like to share your adventure as well? Please contact us.
Check here out all of our stories and blogs.
Ralf Lopian on why to travel
“You are crazy!” A very common response I encounter when talking about my plan. Some people wonder if there are compelling and sensible reasons to cycle around the world. In my opinion, yes, there are actually many.
Myrthe on the Sultans Trail
When I was thinking about taking a few months off from work and decided that I wanted to do a hiking or biking trail, I started to search through the internet for trails. Santiago de Compostela was an option, but I actually wanted to do something different….
Jagna, Through the Balkans
“You are going to hike for three months? Through the Balkans?? ALONE???”
Having confirmed each of these questions with a “yes”, I could almost always expect to hear one of the following exclamations: “Are you not afraid? Alone, as a woman, from Vienna to Bulgaria?”
