Transhumance Trail

The Transhumance Route highlights Europe’s ancient pastoral traditions, where communities have shaped landscapes, pastures, and meadows in harmony with nature for thousands of years. Travelers can explore historic trails, villages, and sites that reveal both tangible and intangible heritage, from sanctuaries and chapels to crafts and traditional gastronomy. This journey offers a unique experience of cultural continuity, connecting people and places across borders through a shared history of herding and seasonal migration.

Türkiye is a proud member of the Transhumance trail network through the İzmir Efeler Way (Efeler Yolu). This 500 km-long cultural route winds from Izmir’s Bornova district over the Nif and Bozdağ mountain ranges, through highland villages and ancient paths, finally reaching the House of the Virgin Mary in Selçuk.

Efeler Yolu is rooted in the Efe/Zeybek tradition, connecting remote villages, pastoral zones, and historic mountain passes—promoting sustainable rural development and supporting local agriculture and livestock.

As the first Turkish cultural route to join the Council of Europe’s Transhumance Trails (TT&RR) network, Efeler Yolu highlights how seasonal pastoral practices harmonize with rich cultural landscapes and community heritage.