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Educational program: “Exploring the hill of Lycabettus”

31 Μαρτίου 2023 April 14, 2025
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Activity, Articles, Education, Social Responsibility

Educational program: “Exploring the hill of Lycabettus”

On March 30, the first step was taken in a plan that had started before the appearance of Covid-19 in our lives.

That is the educational program: “Exploring the hill of Lycabettus” that we developed, in collaboration with teachers, through which we aim to bring children into contact with the natural environment, using experiential and interactive activities.

The general objective of this educational scenario is to offer students opportunities to acquire knowledge and develop skills, values and mindsets that will allow them to observe, describe and interpret the natural environment, as well as its relationship with the anthropogenic, through the hike.

In addition, one of the main objectives is to cultivate the perception that hiking is not just a physical exercise, but also an opportunity for meaningful contact with their surrounding nature and culture. With this activity, the children get to know and walk along some of the already existing walking routes of their city and explore their special characteristics.

Also, the children will learn what a trail is, where we find trails and what the degree of difficulty of a trail depends on. What is a hiker’s gear and why is it necessary. What is the language used by hikers, through the signs they use, and how this language transcends the borders of countries, since from a common code of signs, people who speak different languages can understand the route of a trail.

So, on the morning of Thursday, March 30, the children of the 1st Primary School of Neo Psychiko walked a circular route on the hill, which they mapped, took photos and noted its points of interest.

They learned to distinguish the marking of the paths and the reasons why its presence is necessary.

At the same time they explored nature, noticed its contrast with the city, wondered about human intervention and heard about the history of the area.

They understood that hiking is not only walking, but contact and love with the nature that surrounds us!

Of course, along with the children, their teachers also enjoyed the trip! After all, hiking is a “sport”, truly for everyone.

We hope that these kinds of experiences will follow the children as they grow up, and will be the trigger for their own journey on the paths of the world.

Partnership with Outdooractive

30 Μαρτίου 2023 April 14, 2025
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Innovations, International, Trails Promotion, Τεχνολογία

Partnership with Outdooractive

In February 2023, our collaboration with the global platform outdooractive.DACH, which specializes in all types of adventure tourism, officially began.

We came into contact during the World Trails Network Conference, which took place in Skiathos in the summer of 2022, with the aim of contributing to the accurate and detailed depiction of Greek regions, hiking routes and any other type of outdoor activity.

We hope for a fruitful cooperation, which will upgrade the position of Greece as one of the top hiking destinations around the world.

Now, every Greek destination will be able to be seen on the outdooractive platform, which has over 60 million users!

For more information please contact us!

https://www.outdooractive.com/…/paths-of-greece/802064788/

International tourism exhibitions

29 Μαρτίου 2023 April 14, 2025
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International, New Trails, Trails Promotion, Προτάσεις πεζοπορίας

International tourism exhibitions

At the beginning of the year, some of the most important international tourism exhibitions take part. We participated in three of them, representing Greek destinations with which we have collaborated in the past to create hiking networks.

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The first exhibition was Fiets en Wandelbeurs Nederland in Utrecht, Netherlands, February 25-26. Its subject is generally outdoor activities and alternative tourism, with a greater emphasis on hiking and cycling.

Paths of Greece presented and promoted Kythera Trails, and the newly established Skiathos Trails and Hydra Trails networks!

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From the 7th to the 9th of March, the tourist exhibition ITB Berlin took part in Berlin, where we were invited as guests of the region of Crete in order to present the hiking networks that have been developed in recent years.

More specifically, in the municipalities of the regional unit of Chania, studies have been carried out for networks of hiking routes, of which the one of the municipality of Apokoronas has been completed. The ultimate goal is that all of them will be subject to the single hiking network of the regional unit of Chania, named “Chania Trails”.

At the same time, we were pleased to come across the presentations of three other hiking destinations in Greece, with which we have collaborated to create hiking networks, Skiathos Trails, Sifnos Trails and Lehovo (Paths of Peace)!

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Finally, the exhibition which we consider the most important in our field, since it consists almost exclusively of hiking tourism, is the Salon du Randonneur. This year the three-day event was held March 24-26, in Lyon, France.

The approximately 14,000 visitors that the exhibition usually gathers had the opportunity to learn about more Greek destinations than ever before!

Paths of Greece represented Kasos (Kasos Trails), Kythera (Kythera Trails), Skiathos (Skiathos Trails), Naxos and Chania with the paths of Apokoronas municipality (Chania Trails).

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Of great importance was the presence of the tourist offices Active Holidays in Greece – Gnosis Active Travel and Sharing Greece, representing Naxos and Kasos, respectively.

For the paths of Chania and the municipality of Apokoronas, their representative Dimitris Michelogiannis presented the network, in collaboration with journalist Sylvain Bazin, editor-in-chief of Wider magazine.

Trail scouting in Lasithi

The Paths of Greece team spent a month in the regional unit of Lasithi, in Eastern Crete, to survey the paths and plan the new trail network of the area.

This is a different study from the ones we are used to carrying out, as the large extent of the area of interest is a factor that radically changes the nature of our survey. The regional unit of Lasithi, after all, consists of four municipalities, the municipality of Agios Nikolaos, the municipality of Ierapetra, the municipality of Sitia and the municipality of Oropedio Lasithiou.

Therefore, for many days, Konstantinos and Nikos, with the important help of guest stars Katerina, Natassa and Giannis, walked and recorded large parts of the municipalities, paths, points of interest, archaeological sites and canyons! They met and talked with local people and people involved in hiking, in order to obtain information that would bring them one step closer to the completion of their project.

Thus, upon completion of the field research, we ended up planning approximately 20 routes for the Lasithi regional unit, distributed among its four municipalities. Of course, it should be mentioned that the beauty of the places and their geomorphology could allow us to plan many more routes, but unfortunately this time we had to limit ourselves.

Nevertheless, we always hope and seek long lasting relationships with the destinations we work with, as we believe that the work we do is not a project that is implemented and remains the same forever, but that it is a living organism that needs care, in the form of maintenance, corrections, changes and continuous additions, so that it always meets the demand of the discerning hiking public.

The routes will be implemented as an overall network of routes called “Lasithi Trails” which will be managed and promoted by the regional unit.

Soon, visitors will be able to walk to ancient Oxa, Kritsa and the Katharos plateau, Tzermiado, Kavousi, Thrypti, the forest of Prina, Mylonas waterfall, Petalouda gorge, Richti gorge, the gorge of the dead of Zakros, the exotic beaches in Vai and many other places that will surely reward even the most demanding travelers.

2022 Recap

28 Μαρτίου 2023 April 14, 2025
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Field Research, International, New Trails, Trail Works

2022 Recap

In 2022 the Social Cooperative Enterprise Paths of Greece remained very active.

Coming out of the Covid-19 era, our top priority was to expand and add to our team.
Thus, now Paths of Greece fully employs 7 employees, while at the same time the collaboration with a large number of external partners continues.

The most important of the surveys carried out were those in North Corfu, Dionysos, Xiromero of Aitoloakarnania, Nympheo of Florina, Edessa, Epidaurus and Arta.

The summer for Paths of Greece was very intense, as we undertook the implementation of the hiking networks of the islands of Kasos and Skiathos. Studies conducted in 2018 and 2020, respectively.

These are two projects that were completed with great success and made us proud, as we were able to translate the original field research information into two complete networks, with top specifications and a wealth of accompanying and supporting information.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the perfect cooperation and valuable help from the respective municipalities of the regions, our external partners and from the local work crews, with which we were able to complete the two projects.

Within the year, the implementation of an even earlier study that we had conducted, that of the Municipality of Apokoronas in Crete, was completed. The network of hiking routes has been implemented by the Municipality of Apokoronas, and lately it has been in early stage, as some corrections are still being made.

The most important event of the year was definitely the World Hiking Conference, which took place in September, on the island of Skiathos.

The 8th World Hiking Conference, that was organized by the World Trails Network (WTN) was a resounding success! The heart of world hiking beat in Skiathos!

The Municipality of Skiathos had to offer and showcase its newly established hiking network, which consists of 14 routes, implemented by the Municipality of Skiathos, in collaboration with Paths of Greece.

Trail waymarking materials

After having examined the technical characteristics of waymarks, let’s see what are the waymarking materials that we suggest.

In the beginning, at Paths of Greece we used aluminum signs, colored with the silk print method. Their dimensions were 6,5 x 13 x 0,2cm. We used inox screws to screw them on rocks and trees. We soon realised that this was not the optimal technique for the following reasons:

The aluminum signs have a specific size and this does not allow their adaptation on every surface.
Screwing on rocks is a permanent alteration of the natural landscape
Silk prints are not very durable in outdoor conditions, especially when colours are light.

For the above reasons, and after doing a thorough research for good practice abroad, we came to the conclusion that waymarking with the use of colour (paint) is the best.

Waymarking with paint:

Adapts to every surface
Can take any dimension
It is not a permanent alteration as it can be removed or faint with weather
It is easy to use and install as often as needed (especially when dense waymarking is needed)

The material we use is A quality shiny car paint. It is a 3-component colour (with thickener and dissolver), thick and dense, that only requires two layers when applied. This paint is very visible, whether it is used on rock, wood, metal or any other surface.

We apply it with small brushes, and take it from small 30ml jars, where the paint is mixed with the thickener and dissolver. We use such small jars because otherwise the colour will dry and be useless. Car paint can be applied only on dry surfaces. However, if it rains right after the application, nothing happens to it. It cannot though be applied on wet surfaces.

In some cases we still use aluminum signs, especially if we want to emphasize on waymarking. These have the following specs:

Dimensions 6,5 x 13 x 0,2cm
Aluminum with UV protected vinyl
They are being placed on rocks and trees with the use of high elasticity and strength silicon glue

The above come from the experience of Paths of Greece in sign-posting and waymarking thousands of kilometers of hiking trails, and many international travels that we have had around the world, looking for the best practices. We would also like to mention that waymarking with paint is used in most European countries like France, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Portugal etc.

Granitis Trail Certification

11 Νοεμβρίου 2021 April 14, 2025
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Activity, Articles, Certification, Trails Promotion, Προτάσεις πεζοπορίας

Granitis Trail Certification

The second Green Flag Trails certification in Greece is a fact! The Granitis Trail has been officialy certified with the only global certification for trails, the Green Flag Trails!

Thanks to the tremendous efforts of Nikos Bourlivas, who has created the Granitis Trail, and the kind sponsorship and support Raycap, the trail has been audited and got certified by the World Trails Network, owner of Green Flag Trails!

Together with Kythera Trails, Grece has now two certified trail networks by the Green Flag Trails.

The auditing of the Granitis Trail has been conducted by Paths of Greece, in October 2021.

Granitis Trail consists of two separate trails of 9 and 21 kilometers respectively.

Trail Waymarking

What is considered to be a good waymarking?

The answer is one: “Waymarks that a hiker can easily understand and seamlessly follow”.

In this article series we will attempt to present the thematic of trail signage with examples and pictures.

In this article we will speak about waymarking with paint or small signs, that only indicates direction.

Waymarks are placed in such a way that they cannot be seen from hikers walking in opposite directions.

Waymarking aims at guiding hikers in a precise way, making them feel safe during the walk. Independently of the type of material that will be used, the way to put signs must follow some basic rules:

Frequency
It needs to be installed as often as needed (for example, in places where the trail is not visible, you should be able to see at least one sign from another. On the other hand, when the trail is very visible and there are no junctions, the distance between signs can be up to 250 meters.
Visibility
It needs to be installed in such a way so that the sign of one direction is not visible from those walking in the opposite direction (wherever this is possible)
Height
The signs should be installed at eye height (where possible), and in line with the hiker’s movement.
Contrast
Signs need to be composed of at least two colours, one lighter and one darker, so that contrast is created independently of the surface of application.
Shape
The arrow (if any) needs to be clearly pointing toward the trail.
Respect
Painting or sign installation must be performed with extra attention and care about the environment and culture.

One sign is visible from another.

Using one set of colours on a network of trails is also considered to be best practice as it helps hikers recognise the trail network.

Painting must be done with much care

Paths of Greece has an extensive experience in waymarking, and it uses a specific system for waymarking, presented here below:

The two lines are coloured in parallel to the trail line, so that they give a directional information. White always gets on the side of the trail.

Arrows indicate a change of direction and should be visible only from the direction that they concern.

The curve is coloured only on the ground, it follows the curvature of the trail and indicates a change in direction. It is visible from both directions on the trail. It is used only f there is no possibility to use an arrow.

The “Χ” indicates a wrong direction and it is a particularly important sign for absent-minded hikers!

Stay tuned to read about our next article on material used for waymarking!

Trails and Wildfires

A difficult and cruel Greek summer is slowly coming to its end. A summer stigmatized by the prolonged, exhausting heatwave in many parts of the country, but mostly by the smoke of wildfires, keeping our mind focused on the climate crisis that makes its face increasingly obvious. Our hearts and minds extend to our fellow citizens suffering from the wildfires’ consequences, their desperation over lost fortunes, their fear that their homes and way of life will never be the same again, the lost forests, the creatures of the earth that failed to escape or still suffer from the effects of the fire on their bodies.

We must, however, look at the bigger picture, and at how we can prevent and facilitate the management of similar situations in the future. Trails are an excellent tool, as they facilitate access to remote, densely wooded areas. Their constant care and maintenance, so that they can ultimately function – and – as fire zones at the critical moment, is crucial.

Frequented paths are also an excellent prevention tool, as they contribute to the detection of dangerous piles of concentrated waste or other combustible material, cables neighboring trees, or illegal activities that cause sparks. Moreover, walking paths can prevent malicious arson plans, as the frequent movement of hikers discourages such preparations.

On our front, we are working towards enabling hikers to be more informed as well as active allies of the forest and specialized civil protection services which are chronically suffering from a severe lack of staff and budget. By using the dedicated websites and applications for the paths available, they can immediately inform the competent management organization of the respective path on which they are walking about any dangerous points crossed, requesting the appropriate intervention.

And finally… awareness!!! Citizens who hike and enjoy excursions and activities in the countryside, who are in contact with nature, and do not see it as something dangerous and remote from them, but as an element continuing and complementing themselves, their daily life and their well-being, will be less indifferent, and will push the authorities to adopt the necessary measures and policies so that scenes like the ones that made our hearts dark this summer are kept to the minimum possible.

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Performative Journey EU Project

Performative Journey EU Project With our partners MitOst (Germany), Culture Routes Society (Turkey) and Tirana Ekspres (Albania), who are committed in the development of Via Eurasia – a long-distance cultural route and walking trail running from Rome, across Italy and the Balkans, through western Turkey to Demre on the Lycian coast of Turkey’s southwest and beyond we are working on an EU funded project called Performative Journey on Via Eurasia Culture Route. We also have with us Art Society Open Studio (Poland) that mediates the artistic team from Croatia (Iva Korbar), Poland (Paweł Korbus) and Turkey (Emrah Gökdemir). Funded by the European Union under the Grant Scheme for Common Cultural Heritage: Preservation and dialogue between Turkey and the EU-II (CCH-II), the objective is to contribute to the sustainable management of the Via Eurasia led by civil society and promoting a diversity of cultural expressions. By setting up an international dialogue between performing artists and cultural route managers, we will work on contributing the cultural diversity and shared heritage value along the route. Moreover we will develop new methodologies for creating contemporary arts events in line with rural life on a cross-border cultural route. Throughout the year, field trips, participatory workshops, showcasing performances and creation of soundscapes in cultural heritage sites in the surrounding villages of Antalya, Edessa and Tirana as well as a presentation to a wider audience will take place in Berlin. These last days we have visited the beautiful Edessa city in order for the artists to plan the performance for October 2021. About Performative Journey Project Performative Journey is supported under the “Grant Scheme for Common Cultural Heritage: Preservation and Dialogue between Turkey and the EU–II (CCH-II)” implemented by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism with the financial support of the European Union. The “Grant Scheme for Common Cultural Heritage: Preservation and Dialogue between Turkey and the EU–II (CCH-II)” aims at promotion and

Performative Journey EU Project

With our partners MitOst (Germany), Culture Routes Society (Turkey) and Tirana Ekspres (Albania), who are committed in the development of Via Eurasia – a long-distance cultural route and walking trail running from Rome, across Italy and the Balkans, through western Turkey to Demre on the Lycian coast of Turkey’s southwest and beyond we are working on an EU funded project called Performative Journey on Via Eurasia Culture Route. We also have with us Art Society Open Studio (Poland) that mediates the artistic team from Croatia (Iva Korbar), Poland (Paweł Korbus) and Turkey (Emrah Gökdemir).

Funded by the European Union under the Grant Scheme for Common Cultural Heritage: Preservation and dialogue between Turkey and the EU-II (CCH-II), the objective is to contribute to the sustainable management of the Via Eurasia led by civil society and promoting a diversity of cultural expressions. By setting up an international dialogue between performing artists and cultural route managers, we will work on contributing the cultural diversity and shared heritage value along the route. Moreover we will develop new methodologies for creating contemporary arts events in line with rural life on a cross-border cultural route.

Throughout the year, field trips, participatory workshops, showcasing performances and creation of soundscapes in cultural heritage sites in the surrounding villages of Antalya, Edessa and Tirana as well as a presentation to a wider audience will take place in Berlin.

These last days we have visited the beautiful Edessa city in order for the artists to plan the performance for October 2021.

About Performative Journey Project

Performative Journey is supported under the “Grant Scheme for Common Cultural Heritage: Preservation and Dialogue between Turkey and the EU–II (CCH-II)” implemented by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism with the financial support of the European Union. The “Grant Scheme for Common Cultural Heritage: Preservation and Dialogue between Turkey and the EU–II (CCH-II)” aims at promotion and enhancement of common cultural heritage activities implemented in partnership between Turkish and EU organizations. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism is responsible institution for the technical implementation of the Grant scheme Programme, while the Central Finance and Contracts Unit is the Contracting Authority.

Thursday, 22 Jul 202