Who We Are

Mary's Route is first and foremost a community.

Our network brings together volunteers, local associations, municipalities, cultural institutions, tourism professionals, and international partners who share a common vision: preserving and promoting Europe's cultural heritage while strengthening cooperation across borders.

We believe that cultural routes are living spaces where heritage is experienced rather than simply observed. Through community events, educational programmes, volunteering, and international youth exchanges, we encourage people to engage actively with local traditions, landscapes, and one another.

By connecting people with nature, culture, and local communities, Mary's Route creates opportunities for lifelong learning, intercultural dialogue, and responsible tourism. Every journey contributes not only to the discovery of new places, but also to the preservation of the cultural and natural heritage that makes Europe unique.

Mary Marathon – Running for Community and Sustainable Tourism

The Mary Marathon is an annual community sporting event held in the historic town of Vác, attracting several hundred participants every year. With race distances of 1.5, 4, 8, and 12 kilometres, the event welcomes everyone—from young children taking their first steps in running to experienced athletes—making it a celebration of active lifestyles, inclusion, and community spirit.

The routes lead through the city's green parklands and along the picturesque banks of the Danube, encouraging participants to experience the local landscape in a sustainable and meaningful way. Organised with the support of a large team of volunteers, the marathon has become closely linked to Vác's annual community clean-up campaign. 

Each year, the event is intentionally scheduled for the day after the clean-up, allowing volunteers to contribute to both initiatives. In recent years, Erasmus+ exchange students from Mary's Route have also joined the environmental action, helping to prepare the area before welcoming runners from across the region.

Every participant receives a commemorative medal at the finish line, recognising not only their sporting achievement but also their contribution to a community event that values cooperation, environmental responsibility, and sustainable tourism. By bringing together sport, volunteering, and local engagement, the Mary Marathon strengthens community ties while encouraging participants to discover and appreciate the natural and cultural heritage of Vác.

From the Youngest to the Oldest

On One Way

A Shared Pilgrimage Across Europe

Each year, all member countries of Mary's Route take part in On One Way, a unique international pilgrimage day during which people walk simultaneously along the route in their own countries. Although separated by borders and languages, participants become part of one shared journey, united by a common purpose and a shared European heritage.

The initiative transforms local walks into an international experience, reminding participants that cultural routes are living networks connecting communities across Europe. Walking together on the same day strengthens a sense of belonging, encourages intercultural solidarity, and demonstrates how shared traditions continue to unite people while preserving the historical and cultural identity of the regions through which the route passes.

Operating a Pilgrim Point

A Local Gateway to Sustainable Tourism

As part of the Erasmus+ programme, participants visited Mary's Route's Pilgrim Point in the heart of Budapest, located at Ferenciek Square. Operated largely by dedicated volunteers, the office serves as an accessible meeting point where pilgrims, tourists, and curious passers-by can receive practical information, discover local attractions, and learn about the values of slow and sustainable tourism. Its central location allows the Pilgrim Point to welcome a wide range of visitors every day, making it an important gateway to Mary's Route.

During the workshop, students gained first-hand insight into the daily operation of a small tourism information centre, exploring both the practical challenges and the community-driven solutions behind its success. 

Rather than focusing only on visitor services, the session highlighted how volunteer engagement, local partnerships, and personal interaction contribute to a more sustainable model of cultural tourism. Participants exchanged ideas and best practices while discussing how similar initiatives could strengthen cultural routes elsewhere. Inspired by these experiences, Mary's Route is now preparing to open a new Pilgrim Point and information centre in Slovakia, further expanding the network and bringing sustainable tourism closer to local communities across borders.

Introductory Pilgrimages

First Steps Towards Sustainable Travel

Every Saturday, Mary's Route organises introductory pilgrimages for people who are curious about walking routes and sustainable cultural tourism but have little or no previous experience. Led by dedicated volunteers, these half-day walks offer an accessible introduction to pilgrimage, allowing participants to discover the joy of travelling at a slower pace while exploring local cultural and natural heritage.

More than a guided walk, the programme encourages participants to reconnect with nature, experience the value of community, and appreciate the landscapes that cultural routes help preserve. Many participants take their first steps as pilgrims during these events, often returning later for longer journeys along Mary's Route. Through the enthusiasm and commitment of our volunteers, the introductory pilgrimages have become an effective way of promoting responsible tourism. and inspiring more people to discover sustainable ways of exploring their own region.

Trail Marking

Leaving a Lasting Mark

The distinctive signs of Mary's Route are maintained primarily by our dedicated volunteers, whose work has already covered more than 1,000 kilometres of the network. Trail marking is much more than a maintenance activity—it is a shared effort that makes the route accessible, safe, and welcoming for everyone who chooses to explore it.

Throughout the year, we invite different groups to take part in this work. Secondary school students complete their community service by helping to mark the trails, Erasmus+ participants learn the techniques while discovering the beauty of lesser-known rural landscapes, and Mary's Route's youth team regularly sets out to extend and renew the network together. For many, it is their first opportunity to explore places they might never have visited otherwise. By contributing with their own hands, participants develop a stronger connection to the landscape and gain a genuine understanding of how sustainable cultural tourism depends on the commitment of local communities and volunteers. 

"Every trail begins with a single mark, but it continues through the people who care for it."

Together, we create sustainable journeys that connect communities, nature, and Europe's shared heritage.