The Etruscans, Veneti, Ligurians, Rhaetians (in the Alps) and Celts were already in active contact with each other. The Romans expanded the road several times and finally named it after Emperor Claudius in 45/46 AD, who ruled at the time of the final expansion. Even in the highly developed Roman era, with its economy based on a strong division of labor, the majority of people traveled on foot (per pedes). If you want to travel the cultural axis at the origins of Europe as close as possible to historical reality, you can hike the Via Claudia Augusta on the long-distance hiking route Via Claudia Augusta, usually on paths or forest roads just above the valley floor where the historic road once ran. Experiencing the historic road on foot is not only authentic. The walk also provides the most connection to the areas passed through and encourages leisurely discovery of them in all their beauty and with all their many details. With the numerous places of natural power, roadside chapels and beautiful churches and cathedrals, the hike can also be turned into a pilgrimage. Most hikers discover the Via Claudia Augusta in sections, e.g. Bavaria, Tyrol, Reschenpass - Trento, Trento - Castelbrando in the north of the wide plain of Venice. Some also hike Europe's cultural axis in one go, e.g. as a way of completing their education before entering the world of work or at the beginning of retirement. To hike the entire Via Claudia Augusta with enough time to discover, rest and stop for a bite to eat, you need about 30 days.