The new website www.sifnostrails.com !

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!

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

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.

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

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

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!

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!

Serifos: Route #10 is ready!

Serifos: Route #10 is ready!

Of all of Serifos’ walking trails, this path surpasses most in natural landscape, geology and history. The trail starts near the picturesque village of Kallitsos and leads up towards the settlement of Ksero Chorio which was destroyed by pirate raids. On the first part of your journey you will pass by a tavlomylo – a 15th century windmill which used solid planks instead of sails, moving along a vertical axis. Approaching Ksero Chorio, you will pass through a small cluster of oak trees, one of the most characteristic trees of the Western Cyclades. A little further along, after sighting the traditional pigeon house, start your descent onto the clay dirt road towards the church of Profitis Ilias with its truly panoramic view. The steeply descending stone steps, probably dating back to ancient times, lead you to Triantafyllos, an area filled with lovingly kept vegetable gardens. The area has been inhabited for many centuries, with the gentle slopes of Serifos showing many traces of ancient agricultural activity. Along a beautiful walking path leading back to the trail’s starting point, you will pass by a freshwater spring, an area with white marble stones, an old limekiln and wine press as well as other ruins of agricultural buildings. A few hundred meters before the trail’s end, you will pass by another small forest of oak trees, where you will have the chance to visit the impressive church of Panagia Skopiani.

Kefalonia: Footpaths in Fiskardo!

Kefalonia: Footpaths in Fiskardo!

Working together with the Cultural and Environmental club of Erissos “Asteris”, we have completed, a few weeks ago, the sign-posting of a network of hiking trails in Fiskardo (or Fiscardo), in Kefalonia island. In total, we have sign-posted three trails of 850, 4,7 and 10km. While walking these paths, one can enjoy all the landscapes of the peninsula, as well as to discover the cultural secrets, that no car can access! These paths have the advantage that they can easily be accessed even in summer, since they are largely covered by dense shade, thanks to the forests of cypresses, of pine and of strawberry trees.

Research in Syros island

Research in Syros island

Towards the middle of May, we visited Syros island, following an invitation of the Tourism Counsil. The purpose of our visit was to investigate the current state of the paths in Syros, and to produce some advice regarding the enhancement of the hiking network, in order to develop hiking tourism on the island. Our visit lasted about four days. We walked many paths, mainly being guided by the excellent hiking team of Syros. Syros can definitely develop hiking tourism, more as a complementary activity than as a main one. Our advices focused mainly on the enhancement of the current signs, as well as on the development of marketing tools.

1
…
5
6
7
8