SacraVelo – Network of cross-border bicycle pilgrim routes in the Danube area

SacraVelo – Network of cross-border bicycle pilgrim routes in the Danube area The objective of SacraVelo project is to create a new and unique cross-border touristic product that introduces and offers the rich cultural heritage, sacral values and utilises the natural environment in the Hungarian-Slovak border region, covering four counties along the Danube. The project combines the elements of sacral and active tourism in an innovative way, reaching a wide range of users on local, regional and international level as well. The network of bicycle pilgrim routes perfectly connects to the already existing EuroVelo international bike routes. SacraVelo project covers Győr-Moson-Sopron, Komárom-Esztergom, Bratislava and Trnava counties with development of bicycle route network (designation of several hundred km long, safe bike routes), bicycle centres will be built in Szil (HU) and Bac (SK) settlements, and a new Slovak-Hungarian tourist attraction is created by connecting sacral values in the border region. Partnership consists of 4 county level governments and 2 settlements; due to the partnership partners raise their activities from local and regional to international level. Infrastructure development elements of the project include building of new bike routes and cycling centres, designation of information points and resting places. Among the soft elements traditional tools (events, brochures in four languages) and up-to-date IT methods (mobile app, website) introduce points of interest and help tourists to reach destinations. SacraVelo network will offer opportunities to local people and attract tourists to the border region. Due to the cross-border nature of sacral, cultural touristic offer that combines active tourism counting on natural values as well, the number of tourists coming to the program region increase, cultural and sacral heritage is promoted and information is distributed by traditional and IT tools.