The Trans Bhutan Trail (TBT) spans 403kms across the country, connecting 27 Gewogs, 9 Dzongkhags and 2 National Parks – Phrumsengla National Park and Jigme Singye Wangchuck National Park. It starts in Haa, runs through Paro, Thimphu, Punakha, Wangduephodrang, Trongsa, Bumthang, Mongar and ends in Trashigang. The project began in 2019 with seed funding from the Bhutan Canada Foundation and financial support from the Tourism Council of Bhutan, Royal Government of Bhutan.

Our ancestors carved this thin line across the mountains to connect the Nation. It is our cultural heritage and a national symbol of unity.   It was the bloodline of Bhutan until the construction of motor roads began in the 1960’s. Before the motor roads, all economic, political, social and religious activities depended upon the trail. Traders used it to trade not just with Bhutanese but also with the neighboring countries. Our religious leaders used it to spread Buddhism across the country. Our forefathers used it in the service of the Monarch and most importantly our monarchs themselves used it to travel and meet their people in all corners of the country. Due to its important role in the history and development of Bhutan, the trail has served and touched the lives of every Bhutanese across many generations. 

By the 1960s the Trail had fallen into disuse with the construction of a national highway. Bridges, footpaths and stairways collapsed, gewogs (villages) and landholdings were separated, and this traditional pilgrimage route became neglected. Revitalized trail will connect the past with the present and the future, the young with the old, and the rural with the urban.

To learn more on the Trans Bhutan Trail, please visit our website: https://transbhutantrail.com

See you on the trail!