After two earthquakes in Turkey and northern Syria, the devastation is enormous. Thousands of people have had to recover their deceased relatives themselves and are still missing half of their loved ones. The Sufi Trail Foundation has been working with local partner organizations in Turkey for years to generate a new form of income for local people and entrepreneurs through the walking and cycling routes. For the people we have received bad news from, we want to show our support through a financial collection to be able to give it directly to them.

We have of course contacted all our dear friends and people in Turkey. Everyone on the Sufi Trail is now hard at work collecting goods for the people in the south. Donations have also been given to people who we knew had lost their homes, for example, and are now bivouacking in a car.

Our student Şeyma Aytemir in Tut, Adıyaman who received this gift immediately shared it with the people who are having such a hard time right now. It is a direct line to our friends from the Sufi Trail if only a drop in the ocean. One candle illuminates the darkness.

It is a disaster upon disaster for Syria, where so many people were already displaced. The images are hard to digest, but the bright spots are there. With the help of other countries, the people who help each other in all kinds of ways, love is strong in times like this, and the real power of people shows. 

We would like to support our resources and the Sufi Trail community, no matter how small, with a helping hand on a personal level. The accountability of where a financial gift goes and what happens to it follows on the website. Thanks in advance for your support, we hope to be able to sprinkle some bright spots on those who are now in this heavy mess.

You can donate with the following link or directly via the bank account of the Sufi Trail
IBAN:  NL06INGB0008164984 
BIC: INGBNL2A

In the explanation area, please write Earthquake relief Sufi Trail Student.

Please contact us if you have questions regarding your donation or in general about the earthquake in Turkey.
 

The walking caravan is in training in the Netherlands. What about hiking this coming May…
As trail makers for the coming hiking caravan, we will work on spots along the Sufi Trail for mourning the spirits that left so suddenly. There will be three locations where we will arrange rose planting to have a moment. Hiking is a very good medicine for mourning, but the rose planting rituals can help to give this a place on the Sufi Trail. Yalova knows best about the devastating experience. 
You can book a flight to Istanbul. This is also the best approach route for people connecting halfway. You can take a bus or train directly from Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Eskişehir. You can buy the tickets online at: https://ebilet.tcddtasimacilik.gov.tr/view/eybis/tnmGenel/tcddWebContent.jsf
There is also an English option so that it is also possible for non-Turkish speaking people to buy a train ticket.
You can still register for the departure from Yalova on May 5. Only a few hikers have registered, but we hope that after the trade fair, we will make some more hiking friends to walk the beautiful Sufi Trail together.

The Sufi walking caravan is an annual event that starts after the fasting period. After Eid, we are all ready for the start, 'inshallah'. 

While walking in the Netherlands our hearts are already in Turkey: it is the vastness and diversity of nature, the unprecedented friendliness, and of course the beautiful weather, which makes it all very pleasant.

Being together for several days naturally also creates a bond that is and remains very special. The community is a special place in our heart, connecting us even when we are not on the Sufi Trail.
 

Linda Pijl is organizing hikes and made more improvements to the marking routes from Yalova to Iznik. We hope to enjoy all these lovely art pieces with the coming hikers off course after our rose planting with Ahmet at Ormanica.

Website of Linda in Dutch.

Participating in the Sufi Trail community? This year you will receive a special Pilgrim Route Buff if you renew your membership. 

In case you are not yet a member of the Sufi Trail, we do include a special designed Sufi Trail Buff for all orders placed till January 31, 2023.

So don't wait too long if you were already planning to walk with us on one of our pilgrimages in Turkey.

Yes, I like to renew my Sufi Trail subscription and I receive the Sufi Trail buff for free.

I am not a member yet, but like to be a member and support the Sufi trail.

I am a cyclist and I like to be a member and support the Sufi Trail.

Remember all new members gets a free Buff.

Due to the many positive reactions, we can already confirm that the hiking caravan for 2023 dates are set.

The dates are 5th of May till 15th of June 2023!
This is only half a year from now, sooner than we think :)

Would you also like to take a walk or experience the entire 40-day feeling (or part of the Sufi Trail) along the way? Then sign up.

It still seems far away, but before you know it, the seasons will fly by. The date is known, so you can consider whether it fits in your agenda. Check the website for details and last year's experiences.