Press & Media
Media Coverage (most recent first):
2023
2022
National Geographic Travel, December 2022: This new trail reveals the wonders of Armenia—a country at the crossroads of the world https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/armenia-trail-ancient-churches-hiking
The Great Outdoors, December 2022: Trailblazing: 350 miles of solitude on Armenia’s Transcaucasian Trail with Anna Richards (paywall) https://shop.kelsey.co.uk/single-issue/the-great-outdoors-magazine/2210
YouTube, December 2022: Thru-Hiking NEW Transcaucasian Trail Georgia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6BcDphWO-U
The Outdoors Station, November 2022: The Transcaucasian Trail Video Interview and Podcast with hiker Anna Richards https://www.theoutdoorsstation.co.uk/2022/11/the-transcaucasian-trail-full-video-interview-with-anna-richards/
CNN Travel, October 2022: Why Azerbaijan is one of the world’s newest, and most challenging, hiking destinations https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/azerbaijan-hiking/index.html
Grandeur Nature, August-October 2022: TCT 2022 Armenia / Transcaucasian Trail (in French, auto-translated subtitles available) Episode 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsmyGDL2prk Episode 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiT_ij3BLWw Episode 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG08ALuJ-rQ Episode 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZQNqbncvUs Episode 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDk3VKNiOgo Episode 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLjuuMV6ano Episode 7: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6z2vBN1sY8
The Lonely Planet, July 2022: Slow travel and long distance hikes: how to embrace the new outdoor travel trends https://www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/travel-trends-long-distance-hikes
Going the Whole Hogg, July 2022: Hiking Armenia’s Geghama Mountains | Transcaucasian Trail (film + guide) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjSENSEpZGk
Experience Azerbaijan, April 2022: The Transcaucasian Trail (in Issue #5) https://azerbaijan.travel/publications-azerbaijan
YouTube, April 2022: Armenia – A journey along the Transcaucasian Trail https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BqA8rA3j1U
10Adventures Podcast, April 2022: Thru-Hiking the New Transcaucasian Trail https://adventuretravel.podbean.com/e/thru-hiking-the-new-transcaucasian-trail/
OutdoorsMagic, March 2022: How I Built a Hiking Trail Across an Entire Country https://outdoorsmagic.com/article/how-to-build-a-hiking-route/
The Calvert Journal, January 2022: Surmounting the Politics of the Transcaucasian Trail https://www.calvertjournal.com/features/show/13407/politics-of-the-transcaucasian-trail
2021
Going the Whole Hogg, September 2021: Hiking Mestia to Ushguli | 4 Day Svaneti Transcaucasian Trail, Georgia (film + guide) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqmxDSK9CCY
Going the Whole Hogg, August 2021: Hiking Nakra to Mestia | 5 Day Svaneti Transcaucasian Trail, Georgia (film + guide) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-nIg2d1Ohw
The Sunday Times, August 2021: Trail blazers: Hiking through the Caucasus mountains in Georgia https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/trail-blazers-hiking-through-the-caucasus-mountains-georgia-fjnqb2ljf (paywall)
Explorers Web, August 2021: Transcaucasian Trail Nears Completionhttps://explorersweb.com/2021/08/03/transcaucasian-trail-nears-completion/
Outside France, August 2021: Rando: et si vous tentiez le TCT, Transcaucasian Trail, fabuleux sentier de 3000 km? https://www.outside.fr/rando-et-si-vous-tentiez-le-tct-transcaucasian-trail-fabuleux-sentier-de-3000-km/ (paywall)
BBC Travel, July 2021: A new hiking route between Europe and Asia https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20210714-transcaucasian-trail-a-new-route-between-europe-and-asia
The Points Guy, July 2021: You’ll soon be able to hike a new trail connecting Europe with Asiahttps://thepointsguy.com/news/new-transcaucasian-trail/
Time Out, July 2021: Hikers: you need to check out this epic new trail connecting Europe and Asiahttps://www.timeout.com/news/transcaucasian-hiking-trail-072121
Public Radio of Armenia, June 2021: Transcaucasian Trail: Thru-hiking route across Armenia launchedhttps://en.armradio.am/2021/06/16/transcaucasian-trail-thru-hiking-route-across-armenia-launched/
Wander-Lush, May 2021: Responsible Travel in Georgia: Social Enterprises & Ecotourism Projectshttps://wander-lush.org/responsible-travel-georgia-country/
2020
2019
Condé Nast Traveler, December 2019 : 20 Best Places to Go in 2020 (#1: Armenia) https://www.cntraveler.com/gallery/best-places-to-go-in-2020
Forbes.com, October 2019 : Hiking Armenia’s New Transcaucasian Trail is a Beautiful Way to Immerse Yourself in Armenian Culture https://www.forbes.com/sites/breannawilson/2019/10/11/hiking-armenias-new-transcaucasian-trail-is-a-beautiful-way-to-immerse-yourself-in-armenian-culture/
The Times, Travel, September 2019 : Glamping it up in Georgia https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/travel/glamping-in-georgia-qz6kc07n5
TIME.com, August 2019 : Transcaucasian Trail is One of the World’s Greatest Places https://time.com/collection/worlds-greatest-places-2019/5654151/transcaucasian-trail-caucasus/
Forbes.com, July 2019 : Georgia (The Country) Is On Everyone’s Mind Thanks To This Viral Facebook Group https://www.forbes.com/sites/breannawilson/2019/07/28/georgia-the-country-is-on-everyones-mind-thanks-to-this-viral-facebook-group/
Financial Times, July 2019 : From sea to shining sea: a taste of the Transcaucasian Trail https://www.ft.com/content/d68aedb0-ad53-11e9-b3e2-4fdf846f48f5
Telegraph.co.uk, July 2019 : How the forgotten playground of Soviet adventurers is finally making a comeback https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/georgia/articles/georgia-hiking-trails/ (paywall)
The Sunday Telegraph, Travel, July 2019 : ‘If you see a bear, just whistle and it will run away’ https://digitaledition.telegraph.co.uk/editions/edition_LlP1i_2019-07-07/data/683081/index.html
Bloomberg, April 2019: Why You Should Go to Armenia Now, in 15 Inspiring Photos https://www.bloomberg.com/news/photo-essays/2019-04-23/armenia-travel-guide-churches-brandy-mountains
The Telegraph, Travel, March 2019: The captivating European country with remote mountains and fairy-tale forests – but no tourists https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/georgia/articles/georgia-europe-adventure-holiday-walking/
Porter Magazine, February 2019 (print edition): Trail of the unexpected https://www.net-a-porter.com/
Yahoo News, January 2019: The 2019 holiday hotlist: The overseas destinations to book a trip to this year https://in.news.yahoo.com/2019-holiday-hotlist-overseas-destinations-slideshow-wp-123009664/photo-p-lace-walking-boots-prepare-photo-123009416.html
2018
Travel + Leisure, 12th December 2018: The 50 Best Places To Travel In 2019 https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/best-places-to-travel-in-2019#mount-ararat-armenia
Los Angeles Times, 14th October 2018: Armenia is emerging as a hiking destination. It’s not quite there, but oh, the views http://www.latimes.com/travel/la-tr-armenia-hiking-20181014-htmlstory.html
ITV1 (UK TV channel), 19th September 2018: Joanna Lumley’s Silk Road Adventure (segment, episode 2) https://www.itv.com/hub/joanna-lumleys-silk-road-adventure/2a5513a0002
The Guardian, September 2018: A backpacker’s guide to Georgia: one-month itinerary https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2018/sep/08/a-backpackers-guide-to-georgia-one-month-itinerary
PanArmenian.net, August 2018: Land Rover supporting development of major hiking trail in Armenia http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/259501/Land_Rover_supporting_development_of_major_hiking_trail_in_Armenia
New York Times, August 2018: My Armenia https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/20/travel/armenia-peter-balakian.html
Adventure.com, July 2018: Breaking new ground: When does a path become a hiking trail? https://adventure.com/designing-hiking-trail-caucasus-armenia/
Domus, June 2018: Five projects for a “linear festival” in the Caucasus https://www.domusweb.it/en/speciali/biennale/2018/five-projects-for-a-linear-festival-in-the-caucasus.html
The Travel Show, BBC News/BBC World News, April 2018: “one man’s incredible solo journey across the Caucasus” (segment) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b09zcq65
CNN Travel, April 2018: Transcaucasian Trail: Mapping Eurasia’s forgotten hiking routes https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/transcaucasian-trail-hiking/index.html
The National, March 2018: Hiking Georgia’s Transcaucasian Trail https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/travel/hiking-georgia-s-transcaucasian-trail-1.712852
2017
Discovery Channel, TRVLR (YouTube/Facebook 360º VR video series), November 2017 : Blaze the Impenetrable Forest https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVPOzyk-pMI
Atlantic Council, November 2017: Unfreezing Eurasia’s Frozen Conflicts May Not Be as Hard as You Think http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/ukrainealert/unfreezing-eurasia-s-frozen-conflicts-may-not-be-as-hard-as-you-think
Lonely Planet News, November 2017: What it’s like to trek across two countries on a trail that doesn’t yet exist https://www.lonelyplanet.com/news/2017/11/03/trek-across-two-countries/
Alpkit.com, November 2017: Traversing the Geghama Mountains https://www.alpkit.com/deeds/traversing-the-geghama-mountains
Nikkei Asian Review, October 2017: Adventurer sparks Eurasian rebirth of hiking tourism https://asia.nikkei.com/Life-Arts/Life/Adventurer-sparks-Eurasian-rebirth-of-hiking-tourism
Smithsonian.com, October 2017: How Armenia Plans to Become the Next World-Class Hiking Destination http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/armenia-becoming-world-class-hiking-destination-180965096/
Panorama.am, September 2017: Englishman Val Ismaili takes adventurous trip to Armenia, conquers four peaks of Aragats https://www.panorama.am/en/news/2017/09/09/Englishman-Val-Ismaili-trip-Armenia/1832190
News.am, September 2017: How Val Ismaili completed the 4 peaks of Aragats and walked to Batumi in 8 weeks (photos) https://style.news.am/eng/news/43558/armenian-adventures-of-an-englishman-how-val-ismaili-completed-the-4-peaks-of-aragats-and-walked-to-batumi-in-8-weeks-photos.html
Outside Magazine (US), June 2017: Thru-Hiking Goes Global with New Long-Distance Trails https://www.outsideonline.com/2196186/ramble
National Geographic Traveller UK Digital Photography magazine, April 2017: The Transcaucasian Trail: The explorers who set out to map the first long-distance hiking trail through the Caucasus Mountains share their journey in pictures https://www.amazon.co.uk/Photography-National-Geographic-Traveller-UK/dp/B01HZQZNK8
Wanderlust magazine, March 2017: Everything you need to know about the new Transcaucasian Trail http://www.wanderlust.co.uk/magazine/articles/destinations/transcaucasian-trail-hiking-georgia-armenia-caucasus-mountains
Travindy – sustainable tourism news and features website, 3 March 2017: Transcaucasian Trail wins the “Innovation of the Year” Award, launches summer volunteering https://www.travindy.com/2017/03/the-transcaucasian-trail-wins-the-innovation-of-the-year-award/
Travel and Tour World magazine, March 2017, p.35-38: The Transcaucasian Trail and sustainable tourism– interview with Marta Mills, TCTA http://www.travelandtourworld.com/flipbook/2017/mar17/flipviewerxpress.html
Caucasus Nature Fund website, March 2, 2017 : CNF Supports Transcaucasian Trail in Armenia http://caucasus-naturefund.org/cnf-supports-transcaucasian-trail-in-armenia/
TCT Armenia on the morning TV programme on the Armenian public television channel H1, 15 Feb 2017
National Geographic Traveller ( @NatGeoTraveller , #NGTUKvideos ), 3 Feb 2017 : Video of the Week: the Transcaucasian Trail http://www.natgeotraveller.co.uk/photography-video/video-of-the-week/the-transcaucasian-trail/
2016
Travindy’s top stories of the year: tourism destinations, 8 Dec 2016: Transcaucasian hiking trail to connect cultures and preserve historic routes https://www.travindy.com/2016/12/best-of-tourism-destinations/
National Geographic, Nov 2016: This New Mega-Trail Could Open a Mysterious Region to Trekkers” http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/activities/hiking-and-backpacking/transcaucasian-trail-hiking-route/
Geographical , the magazine of the Royal Geographical Society, 18 Nov 2016 : Off the beaten path , 4-page Featurehttp://geographical.co.uk/people/explorers/item/1970-off-the-beaten-path
AGOS independent news portal, 29 Oct 2016 : Peace Trail across the Caucasu s,http://www.agos.com.tr/en/article/16868/peace-trail-across-caucasus
Wizz Inflight Magazine , Front cover and 13-page feature, Aug/Sept 2016 : Walking Georgia: Trailblazing in the Caucasus mountains. http://wizzmagazine.com/archive.php
The Guardian, 27 Aug 2016 : Georgia’s new Caucasus trail will link Black and Caspian seas https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2016/aug/27/georgia-new-transcaucasian-hiking-trail-project
Travindy, 25/05/2016 : Transcaucasian hiking trail to connect cultures and preserve historic routes https://www.travindy.com/2016/05/transcaucasian-hiking-trail-begins/
Land Rover Owner, April 2016 : Transcaucasian Expedition Hits The Road, With Land Rover and RGS Backing https://www.lro.com/blog/news/land-rover/1604/transcaucasian-expedition-hits-the-road-with-land-rover-and-rgs-backing
Adventure Travel, Issue 122, March/April 2016 : 8 Terrific Treks you have never heard of
Georgia Today, 26/04/2016: Transcaucasian Hiking Routes to be Created in Georgia http://georgiatoday.ge/news/3645/Transcaucasian-Hiking-Routes-to-be-Created-in-Georgia
Positive News , April 2016https://www.positive.news/2016/lifestyle/travel/20755/positive-travel-news/
Green Adventures travel magazine, April 2016: Along the Transcaucasian Trail (photos) http://greenadventurestravel.com/gallery/april-2016.html
2015
Videos