Milena set off on foot from the Curò hut in Valbondione near Bergamo/I. The journey was completed by the end of the year. She travelled by train through the Swiss and Austrian Alps to the former place of study Munich and the mountains of Upper Bavaria, and then hiked in the Slovenian mountains on bee trails. Marika and Alessia followed in the footsteps of Heidi in Graubünden/CH, Bea went on strike for the climate in Lausanne/CH, while Matevž climbed the 3'842 m high Aiguille du Midi/F. Emanuele stayed overnight in a shepherd's hut and awarded the best train toilet in the Alps. This was just a small selection of the places that 100 young people from all Alpine countries have visited this summer with the «Youth Alpine Interrail» pass.

Demands on politicians

At the joint closing event in Bern/CH on 27 September, they not only talked about their adventures, but also exchanged views on transport issues and problems in their countries and formulated demands. More favourable fares for public transport, a higher frequency of night trains or buses, a petrol tax and a tripling of the tax for domestic flights, car-free cities or WiFi on public transport were just some of the formulations. For cycling, too, there were proposals to extend cycle paths or improve the transport of bicycles on trains. Many also wanted a cross-border Alpine ticket. CIPRA will take up the demands in its political work and invites the Yoalin Ambassadors to pass them on to the relevant political decision-makers in their regions and countries.

Demonstrating for a climate of change

The young Youth Alpine Interrail travellers documented their experiences on Instagram and Facebook. They were able to submit their most beautiful pictures and stories to a competition: The best five photos and stories were awarded at the closing ceremony on 27 September in the presence of Regula Rytz, a member of the Swiss Regulatory Council, at the Alpine Museum in Berne. A delegation of the Yoalins also took part in the international climate strike in the Swiss capital on 28 September. Yoalin traveller Emily Rost was one of the speakers and explained to the 100,000 demonstrators: «In the Alps, freight transport and mass tourism opt for the road instead of the train, while transport is responsible for 30 percent of CO2 emissions in the EU. It is therefore important for our future to rethink the way we consume and travel.»

Following the success of the last two editions, CIPRA, together with its project partners, is launching the Youth Alpine Interrail 2020 on rail.

Contact: [email protected]

If you have any questions, please contact:

Caroline Begle, Communications CIPRA International, +423 237 53 11, eMail

Magdalena Holzer, Project manager CIPRA International, +423 237 53 13, eMail