Blog – Page 9 – Paths of Greece

As you set out for Ithaca…

Back in the old times, before the use of cars, the trails would link different destinations. The shorter and the easier a trail was, it was considered as a good trail. Nowadays, trails are mainly used from hikers. A trail now is considered as good, depending on its richness in cultural monuments and natural sites. Like Ulysses trip, the Odyssey, trails today are a trip in time. In the past and in the future. The richer a trail is, the richer the experiences the hiker will gain when arriving at the end. In October 2015 we visited Ithaca, the mythical island of Ulysses. Our aim was to investigate the possibility of creating a hiking trails network on the island. We were very impressed by the access to the numerous historical sites, the internationally famous mythology that is linked to many places encountered while walking, we greatly appreciated the antithesis of landscapes and colors as well as from the friendliness of people. The trails we hiked form an extensive network that, if well organised, could work as an attraction for a great amount of hikers worldwide.

On a hiking Expo with Sifnos Trails

In the first days of September 2015, we represented Sifnos island on one of the most famous hiking exhibitions worldwide, the Tour Natur Expo, in Dusseldorf, Germany. After the way-marking of 104 km of hiking trails on this beautiful island, the participation to the Exposition is part of the attempt of the Municipality of Sifnos to open up to new markets of hikers. Considering the 40,000 visitors of the Tour Natur, this was quite a move! During the three days of the exhibition, we presented the new website (www.sifnostrails.com), distributed the new leaflet about the trails, and the visitors of our stand had also the opportunity of tasting local specialties! Greece had the largest stand of all the countries out of Germany. The participation of Greece was rather impressive, not only in quantity but especially in quality. Many places from all over the country came to present their trails (smaller or larger islands, mountainous areas of northern and central Greece, Peloponissos etc.). As a result, we realised the need for all of us in Greece who work on the trails to organise and strengthen our communication, in order to make Greece a Worldwide famous hiking destination!

Trail consulting in the Chinese Alps!

In August 2015, we were invited by the China Volkssport Association, as trail consultants, in the region of Kanas, Xinjiang, China. Our visit lasted 8 days. During this time, we hiked trails, we rode on horses, we discovered remote areas and we came in contact with the local Mongolian, Kazak and Chinese people. Our study resulted in re-organising the initially planned trails network, focusing this time in including trails that are more natural and that pass through more sights. We also presented the guidelines for infrastructures such as huts, rest areas and of course way-marking. Special attention was given to way-marking, as we shortly trained our Chinese counterparts on the design and implementation of way-marks and signposts. We also provided guidelines for the national and international promotion of the trails, and we believe that very soon, the trails network of Kanas Region will be open to the public to enjoy one of the prettiest areas of China!

The new website www.sifnostrails.com !

The new website www.sifnostrails.com that we created, is now online! The website is only in English for now. A Greek, a French and a German versions will follow. On the website, we present the 19 officially way-marked trails of the island. On each trail page, you will find pictures, a description of the trail, an interactive map as well as a gpx and a PDF download buttons! The website also presents travel information and other practical info about hiking in Sifnos. We welcome you once more to visit the amazing trails of Sifnos, starting from here: www.sifnostrails.com

Sifnos Trails: an amazing 100 km to walk!

In 2015, the Municipality of Sifnos has asked us to update the trails network of the island. During our first visits, we did realise that the previous way-marking attempts were not uniform, and there were a lot of missing marks. In addition, many routes would start from rather unknown places, thus making it difficult to find the trailhead. Finally, very little had been done for the promotion of the trails in Greece and abroad.

Our first objective was to harmonise the way-marking. At first, we removed all previous signs, cleared some parts of the trails and re-designed some of the routes so that the start from inside the villages. After that, we implemented the new way-marks (red and white stripes). We also used wooden poles with inscriptions pointing to places and informing about the walking times and the distances. In central places, we did install large signs with the map of the island and all the routes. By soon we will also install trailhead information signs. The new trails network of Sifnos has now 19 trails (10 main and 9 secondary) and a total length of 100km (compared to the 65km when we started working on it). All trails are interconnected except of trails 9 and 9A in the north of the island. The trails network of Sifnos is one of the richest in nature and culture of the Aegean, and it is absolutely worth walking it!

You can visit the website of the trails that we created: SIFNOS TRAILS

International Trails Symposium, Portland, USA

1 Μαρτίου 2018 April 15, 2025
admin
Activity, International, Talks – Conferences

International Trails Symposium, Portland, USA

In May 2015, we participated at the International Trails Symposium, organised by the American Trails, in Portland (OR), USA. The theme of the Symposium was “Solutions for Success” in planning and managing sustainably a Trails project. The project hosted more than 750 participants from all USA States and from many countries around the World. Paths of Greece was invited to the Symposium in order to present the trails that were created in Greece, as well as to make a presentation. The title of our presentation was “Developing hiking trails networks within economic recession: The tools for success”. The outcomes of the Symposium are of great importance, since despite the differences amongst countries, it seems that the problems encountered by those creating trails have many common points. In the numerous presentations that took place, many specific problems were analysed and discussed. Some of the most important ones were the common use of trails from different types of users, as well as the right of access to privately owned lands. The discussions at the end of the presentations were of great importance as well, since they allowed the exchange of opinions and networking. The latter is probably the most important outcome of the Symposium. International networking helps the trail organisations to become stronger. Paths of Greece is a Committee member at the World Trails Network, which is the international platform for networking, exchange of knowledge and co-marketing strategies at an international level.

A Fair presenting the trail organisations as well as waymarking and other products took place during the Symposium.

We would like to thank the American Trails for the excellent opportunity that they gave to all of us to share our passion and to become stronger.

On the Trails of Unexplored Kassos isl.

In February 2015 we found ourselves in Kasos, fighting against the heavy rain and the wind, in order to discover the long lost paths of the island! At the beginning we were quite uncertain about what we would see. The bad weather and the seasonal “decadence” of Greek islands in winter would see to that. We soon suspected that Kasos was keeping well its secrets. But when you hike you discover everything! And we took care as to explore every single bit of the island… or almost! Every hiking day in Kasos was better than the previous ones! Walking in the footsteps of the older inhabitants, amongst the numerous terraces, we climbed on mountain peaks and cliffs, we passed through impressive gorges, we saw remote beaches and…lakes (!), we explored old settlements, windmills and mansions, we stepped on ancient steps carved on the rocks, we saw caves that were inhabited in prehistorical times and many more! And we never walked alone! We were constantly accompanied by sheep, that were balancing off the nice smell of abundant wild lilies!
In the evenings, we would discover the traditional and authentic life of the island, that one can find in very few islands today. Tasting local cheese, pasta and other specialties, while hearing the powerful sound of the Kassian lyra.
Kassos is definitely worth exploring at any time of the year. By soon, we will organize its hiking trail network in co-operation with the municipality of Kasos, and you will be able to go test yourself the veracity of the above!

On the “Blue trails” of Amorgos

1 Μαρτίου 2018 April 15, 2025
admin
Activity, Field Research, Προτάσεις πεζοπορίας

On the “Blue trails” of Amorgos

A few months ago, we received an invitation from the Aegialis Hotel & Spa, to visit the island of Amorgos. Thus, in October 2014, after a long but easy boat trip, we reached the port of Aegiali. The next morning, the sunlight revealed an incredible landscape! After the “Greek breakfast” , and a interesting guided tour at the organic kitchen gardens of the Aegialis Hotel, we started our walks on the “Blue Trails”. We did walk many kilometers a day, but we new that in the evening we would relax at the SPA facilities. This is something that we strongly recommend, as it increased our hiking experience! We kept amazing memories from this top hiking destination of the Aegean sea, where hospitality, the nice trails, the picturesque villages, the small chapels, the dry stone walls, the donkeys, the antiquities, the cliffs and the infinite blue, create a magical image. Below you will find a map from an rather difficult but amazing trail!

Powered by Wikiloc

Prespa lakes: The paths of Nature and History

The lakes Prespa are a unique area where Nature and History co-exist in a peacefull way. In co-operation with the Society for the Protection of Prespa, and within the framework of the LIFE “JunEx” programme, we have sign-posted 2 trails in the area. The JunEx programme consists of the Restoration and Conservation of Greek Juniper Forests (Juniperetum excelsae) in Prespa National Park. The first trail links the village of Psarades to the Cape Roti and the hermitage of Metamorphosi. The second path links the church of Agios Georgios to the summit of Mt. Devas. Both trails have been sign-posted with introductory signs, directional signs on pylons as well as paint and ribbons (for the parts inside the forest). Should you require further information about the trails of lake Prespa, you can buy the guidebook here.

Sign-posting trails in Antikythera!

In August 2014, we have visited the remote island of Antikythera for a 15th consecutive year. Antikythera is 2 hours by boat from any close land, has about 30 inhabitants and is considered to be on of the most remote Greek islands. It is an amazing little island, offering astonishing wild landscapes, it is the largest birdwatching spot of the Mediterranean sea and it also has an immense fortification dating back to the Hellenistic period. It is at this fortification that for 15 years now, we assist the archaeologists. This year, we have decided to work on the trails of the Castle. Thus, we cleared and sign-posted a circular 1-hours-walk path, that passes from the most important sites of the fortification. Soon, within the framework of the Kythera Hiking project, we will sign-post the famous trail of the Antikythera Lighthouse!