The World's Longest Circular Hiking Trail Is About to Open
The nearly 2,000-mile project is an effort to combat overtourism in the country.
Instead of charging visitors entry fees or limiting the number of people allowed at iconic landmarks, Portugal has found another innovative solution to overtourism, or so the country hopes.
Dubbed Palmihar Portugal, the new circular hiking route will be the world's largest, with almost 2,000 miles of path. Its first section will open in Alenquer (just north of Lisbon) in July, and it will welcome visitors ready to explore by foot or bike. According to Portugal's plan, another 15 sections should open by the end of 2024, and eventually, the path will reportedly span 90-100 districts.In addition to being a unique attraction that draws tourists to the country, the project is also a way to deter tourists from crowding Portugal's most iconic cities (including Lisbon and Porto) and direct them off the beaten path instead. The path will allow outdoors enthusiasts to discover Portugal, from its most iconic cities and known locales, such as Lisbon and the Douro Valley, to its hidden gems, like the Tras-Os-Montes region.
This way, Portugal hopes to grow the tourism industry in the country without burdening its most famous destinations with the price of overtourism. As Thrillist previously reported, overcrowding has led to various issues, including damage to the environment and landmarks and negative repercussions on the locals' quality of life, such as increased rents.
At the same time, Portugal aims at boosting the local economy by bringing tourists to new, semi-uncharted areas. By encouraging visitors to discover more rural and niche cities and regions through the new path, the country is envisioning steadfast growth in the local economy of those areas.
If you're worried about navigating the route, do not fret. There will be a dedicated app available for visitors, and once you're there, you'll even be given a physical passport to stamp along your way.