What if the return to school became an unforgettable adventure, far from the desks and immersed in nature? That’s exactly what 15 high school students will experience starting September 16, 2024, when they set off from Orvieto to walk across Italy, exploring the country from south to north and learning along the way.
This extraordinary project, called “Strade Maestre” (Master Roads), represents a completely new way of schooling, combining traditional education with the beauty of slow travel. Organized by the social cooperative CamminaMenti, in collaboration with AIGAE (Italian Association of Environmental Hiking Guides) and CAI (Italian Alpine Club), the project involves high school students, aiming to offer an immersive and innovative educational experience.
A Journey of Discovery Over a Thousand Kilometers
The nomadic class will start from Orvieto and, accompanied by volunteer teachers and environmental guides, will traverse Lazio, Umbria, and Sicily, continuing after a Christmas break through Calabria, Basilicata, Puglia, Campania, and finally heading north to Trieste. In total, they will cover over a thousand kilometers in approximately 240 days, walking through nature trails, villages, and breathtaking landscapes.
This is not a school trip for relaxation: the students will still study their academic subjects, but in a completely different setting. They will walk for miles each day, alternating trekking with residential periods focused on traditional lessons. Nature and the experiences of the journey will dictate the rhythm and the curriculum, offering students a unique opportunity to learn from the world around them.
The Goal of the Project: Learning Through Walking
“Strade Maestre” is not only a physical journey but also a path of personal and collective growth. Walking, a symbol of slowness and reflection, becomes the foundation of the educational method, where community life and interaction with the territories play a central role. The students will not only study classical subjects but also learn from the places and people they meet along the way.
Meeting local cultures, exploring natural and architectural treasures, and sharing the experience with peers and teachers will provide a holistic educational perspective. The school becomes a true “classroom without walls,” where the earth, sky, and people are as much teachers as the books.
A New Way of Schooling
This project is part of a broader vision to rethink education, aiming to combine academic knowledge with life skills. The experience of walking allows students to develop autonomy, adaptability, and resilience, all essential qualities for facing future challenges. Unlike traditional school settings, here lessons are not marked by the ringing of a bell but by the rising sun, the pace of the journey, and weather conditions.
The journey will conclude on May 19, 2025, in Trieste, where the students will take a proficiency test at a public state school to assess the skills they have acquired. For them, this journey will be a true initiation, an opportunity to explore themselves, the country, and the world in a dimension that blends learning with adventure.
Walking: A Spiritual and Sustainable Journey
The “Strade Maestre” project is not just an educational experience but also a sustainable journey. Walking across Italy allows for rediscovering the country in a slow and environmentally respectful way, appreciating nature and the small villages that often escape the most popular tourist routes.
Walking is a way to reconnect with the land, appreciate its beauty, and understand the importance of preserving our natural heritage. For the young participants, this journey will also be an opportunity to reflect on sustainability, as they live an experience in harmony with the environment.
A Life-Changing Adventure
“Strade Maestre” offers a new perspective on the concept of schooling, breaking away from traditional methods and proposing an innovative formula that centers on experience, discovery, and personal growth. In an era where speed and technology seem to dominate everyday life, this project invites students to slow down, immerse themselves in nature, and rediscover the pleasure of walking and learning from the real world.
For the 15 students setting off from Orvieto, this journey will be both a challenge and a grand adventure, leading them not only to better know Italy but also to discover new parts of themselves.
Bon voyage, green nomadic class of Italy!
Cover image: Students from “Strade Maestre” on their way toward a new concept of school.
