GRAND ODYSSEYS
The History Trend
The world’s oldest stories are inspiring today’s travellers. From classic tours and pilgrimages to sacred walking trails, people are following legendary historic travel routes that bring them closer to ancient heroes, mythology and cultures.
History travel insights
Insight
31% of Millennials have travelled in the footsteps of ancient stories
This year’s film of The Odyssey has prompted a third of people to plan a trip
Insight
Sword and sandal epics are inspiring new voyages
Corfu’s Cape Drastis Loop is the top historic hiking trail for 2027
Year-on-year increase in video views of Cinematic Travel content
Sword and sandal epics are inspiring new voyages
The 2026 film The Odyssey has inspired 33% of travellers to plan a trip.
Almost half of Millennials have been inspired by films and TV set in antiquity.
39% of Gen Z and 38% of Millennials are inspired to travel by mythological legends, from Troy to the tales of Ancient Greece.
AllTrails is the app for exploring the outdoors, connecting its community of 100 million members to their next adventure.
AllTrails’ top historic hikes for 2027
Epic journeys aren’t just found in books. Across the world, travellers are lacing up their boots to explore landscapes behind legendary tales, ancient empires and enduring myths.
Hiking trail
Cape Drastis Loop
Corfu, Greece
Said to be Homer’s mythical land of Phaeacia, where a shipwrecked Odysseus shared the story of his epic 10-year journey home.
Hiking trail
Horcones Viewpoint – Horcones Lagoon – Espejo Lagoon
Argentina
Glacial lakes shimmer beneath South America’s highest peak. Everything feels small in the shadow of Mount Aconcagua.
Hiking trail
Xi’an City Wall
China
Stroll the mighty Ming Dynasty walls where ancient gateways, sweeping views and centuries of history unfold below.
Hiking trail
Monte Santa Caterina
Favignana, Italy
Climb to Favignana’s highest point, where a historic castle crowns an island long associated with Odysseus’ legendary voyage.
Hiking trail
Rizes Cave (Cave of Eumaeus)
Ithaca, Greece
Olive groves sway above the sparkling Ionian. At journey’s end is the cave where Odysseus sought refuge after returning home in The Odyssey.
“Historic routes remind us that exploring the outdoors is a universal human experience”
“It’s grounding to visit a trail and realise you’re seeing the same rugged peaks, ancient forests, and horizons that travellers did thousands of years ago.
Historic routes remind us that exploring the outdoors is a universal human experience, and it connects us across generations. How we travel evolves, but the pull of natural landscapes stays the same.”
Shelby Eagleburger
Head of Data Integrity
