Each university will follow a different route, but the distances covered by participants will be combined on a shared digital map. The aim is to create a symbolic journey across Europe through its forests, connecting people, places and the academic communities that make up the Alliance.

For unibz, the chosen route is the Sigmund Freud Promenade on the Ritten/Renon plateau. The walk will begin at the upper station of the Ritten cable car in Soprabolzano/Oberbozen, continue through Lichtenstern and end in Collalbo/Klobenstein. Departure from Soprabolzano/Oberbozen is scheduled between 9:30 and 9:50 a.m.

The route is accessible and suitable for a shared walk. It covers 7.3 kilometres at an altitude of approximately 1,200 metres, with a total elevation change of around 125 metres. Along the way, participants will also be able to enjoy views of the Dolomites from several panoramic points.

The day will offer more than an opportunity to walk together. The route will include three stops with short activities and information sessions, giving participants the chance to learn more about South Tyrol’s forests, the research carried out by unibz in this field and the activities of the SUNRISE Alliance.

The initiative also includes several activities shared across the partner universities. The steps recorded by participants will contribute to a virtual competition among the nine SUNRISE universities: the university whose participants collectively record the highest number of steps will win. Through One Alliance, One Forest, the forest becomes a shared European space: a setting in which to meet, learn more about the surrounding environment, exchange perspectives on research and sustainability, and strengthen connections within and across university communities.

The morning will conclude with light refreshments for all participants.

The unibz university community is invited to take part in the walk and contribute, together with the other eight SUNRISE universities, to this shared journey across Europe and its forests.

Registration deadline on the event page: 28 August 2026 at 12pm.