Trans Bhutan Trail

The Trans Bhutan Trail is a 403-kilometre (250 mi)[1] east–west trail in Bhutan,[2] stretching from Haa to Trashigang and crossing 27 gewogs and nine dzongkhags.[3]

Origins

Dating back to the 16th century, the trails, used by rulers, monks, pilgrims, traders and message carriers known as garps,[3] were the only way to travel across Bhutan.[2] The trail fell into disuse and disrepair after the construction of Bhutan's first national highway in 1962;[3] much of is it subsumed by the new roads.[4]

Restoration

The project to restore the trail began in 2018, led by the Bhutan Canada Foundation, the government of Bhutan and the Trans-Bhutan Trail, a non-profit organisation formed for the project.[1] It involved restoring or rebuilding 18 major bridges,[2] more than 10,000 steps, and placing QR codes that can be used to access the local area's history; about 900 workers furloughed during the COVID-19 pandemic helped with the project.[1] The trail opened to tourists on 28 September 2022.[5]

References
  1. Mary, Holland (23 September 2022). "Hidden Himalayas: hiking the new Trans-Bhutan Trail". Financial Times. Archived from the original on 8 November 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  2. Billock, Jennifer (14 September 2022). "The 250-Mile Trans Bhutan Trail Will Reopen After 60 Years". Smithsonian Magazine. Archived from the original on 29 October 2022. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  3. Melancon, Nicole (7 February 2023). "Farm-to-cushion dining along the Trans Bhutan Trail". BBC. Archived from the original on 3 March 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  4. Smart, Catherine (2 December 2019). "The Trans-Bhutan Trail: Reinvigorating a cultural treasure". Bhutan Canada Foundation. Retrieved 11 March 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. Marcus, Lilit (3 October 2022). "Bhutan – and its incredible cross-country trail – is open". CNN. Archived from the original on 2 March 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2023.

Further reading
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