Launch of the Mediterranean Trails Network in Jordan

The CRS has become one of the founder members of a new trails organisation covering the (mainly eastern) Mediterranean. For two years, two French organisations AFRAT and Tetraktys, funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD) with supplementary funding from OXFAM and the World Bank, have worked with three trail communities in the parts of the eastern Med affected by conflict. These trails (the Lebanon Mountain Trail, the Jordan National Trail and the Palestinian Heritage Trail), will become the core of the new MTN, but are now joined by several more: Representatives of Paths of Greece, a social enterprise making trails in Greece and Saudi Arabia, Darb Mar Charbel pilgrimage trail in Lebanon, the Dahar trail in Tunisia and the Culture Routes Society first gathered in Jordan to meet the founding organisations and work on the launch for the new organisation between 6-10 December 2025.

The newcomers were so happy to enjoy the visit to the principle points on the Jordan trail – the spectacular ruins at Petra, and the vast desert landscapes of Wadi Rum. We were incredibly lucky that heavy rain commenced just as we left Petra, and had passed over by the time we reached Wadi Rum next morning, leaving dramatic floods in the desert! Ali Barqawi and Ward Al Muheisen of the Jordan Trail ran the show like clockwork, George Rishmawi and Leena Hijazi from Palestine contributed high spirits and humour, and the experienced team from Lebanon, Omar Sakr, (co-chair of the MTN)  Rachal Sakr and Julie Lebnan provided reflectiveness and application.

The constitution of the MTN is already developed, and it is registered as an NGO in France but much work remains.

Principally, fundraising, organisation of governance, development of standards and information sharing are first points on the agenda. The new members are keen to participate in the development of the organisation and work on cross-border projects with the existing members.

 We wish all success to the new enterprise and hope that Türkiye will develop a leading place in the management, promotion and success of Mediterranean trails.