H.O.T – Historical Overmountain Trail
European project dedicated to historical routes between Italy and Austria, featuring re-enactments of the cultural heritage of the Cramars and Samer peoples.
In the Tracks of History: The H.O.T. Project between Italy and Austria
H.O.T. – Historical Overmountain Trail is a cross-border cooperation project funded by the Interreg Italy–Austria 2021-2027 Program, which enhances ancient pathways across the Alps by promoting cultural and sustainable tourism between Italy and Austria.
At the heart of the project is the intention to recover and share the stories of historical routes traveled by merchants, pilgrims, and mountain communities, transforming them into a network of experiential, accessible, and attractive trails.
The project has a total budget of €657,401.50, of which €485,510.08 is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
A bridge between alpine cultures and european routes
H.O.T. stems from the desire to reconnect places and communities linked by centuries of exchange, through the promotion of slow and conscious mobility. The project focuses on three main historical itineraries:
- The Cramars trail (path of ancient Carnic merchants);
- The Samer route (path of salt and goods transporters between Tyrol and Carinthia);
- And the Romea Strata, as a major international pilgrimage axis between Central-Eastern Europe and Rome.
Through these routes, H.O.T. promotes a modern vision of walking that combines responsible tourism, the enhancement of the Alpine landscape, and the revitalization of inner areas.
Project actions and objectives
The project involves the development of a cross-border cultural network, featuring concrete actions such as the mapping and accessibility of trails, the creation of multimedia content (podcasts, documentary films), training for local operators, and the piloting of tourist packages along the historical routes.
H.O.T. aims to build a replicable model for relaunching historical Alpine pathways, generating positive impacts on local development and promoting the identity values of the territory.
To learn more about the project, visit the website www.historicalovermountaintrail.com and follow the latest updates on their Instagram profile.
A shared experience among territories and people
Key activities include press tours, fam trips (familiarisation trips), and public events designed to raise awareness of the territories involved and create synergies among institutions, local communities, and sector professionals. The project’s narrative is also conveyed through digital tools and international channels to reach an increasingly broad audience attentive to the cultural and environmental dimensions of travel.
More Projects:
April 2026 - April 2027
SMARTWAYS
A european project dedicated to enhancing cultural heritage along the Romea Strata and the Via Francigena through digital innovation, interoperable data, and new tools for cultural tourism.
October 2025 – May 2028
DATA4Rural
DATA4Rural promotes digital innovation in rural areas, offering tools for data collection, analysis, and management. The project strengthens the skills of institutions, local operators, and associations, improving participation and services in the territories crossed by routes like the Romea Strata.
October 2022 – September 2027
Ruralities
Ruralities works to strengthen European rural areas with innovative, sustainable, and locally-driven models. The project promotes the green transition, training in local territories, and the development of resilient communities. An initiative that also speaks to the historical routes and the communities that they cross.
