Onithe Archaeological Footpath

Onithe Archaeological Footpath

 

In September 2019, we inaugurated the Onithe Archaeological Footpath, the best way to visit the archaeological site of Onithe in Goulediana village, Rethymnon, Crete. The footpath meanders through the mysterious archaeological site of Onithe, only scarcely explored by archaeologists. Walking the footpath, one can visit the most important sites of Onithe, like the Early Christian Basilica, the Archaic Houses, the Acropolis, the church of Kera as well as harvested lands and viewpoints, in a land that is for millennia now still under constant exploitation.

The cultural/touristic route of Onithe develops in reference to the ruins of an important ancient city, Onithe, which flourished during the Archaic period (7th-6th century BC). The site has been also in use at later times as it is documented by the preserved ruins of Hellenistic, early Byzantine, Venetian, Ottoman and modern buildings and structures.

Apart from the historic significance of the area, the path highlights the natural features that comprise this particular land such as the unique flora, the farming traditions and installations as well as aspects and areas of geological and paleontological interest.

Paths of Greece has developed these trails for the Goulediana Cultural Association “ONYTHE”. The trails have been sign-posted with compliance to all international standards. The map of the trail and area has been designed by Staridas Geography. For further information, please click here.

Paths of Peace

Paths of Peace

 

In summer 2019, we implemented a multi-day hiking trail and a cycling route called Paths of Peace. It is located in the area of Florina, Western Macedonia, Greece. The trail is divided into 4 hiking days, and it starts and ends at Lehovo village. It crosses the most important natural and cultural places of the area: the settlements of Lehovo, Asprogeia, Nymfaio, Agrapidies, Sklithro and Limnochori, the Wolf sactuary, the lakes Zazari and Cheimaditida, as well as dense forests. For more information, click here.

Ithaca Trails

Ithaca Trails

 

Ithaca Trails, the official network of hiking trails of Ithaca island is now a fact. Together with the Municipality of Ithaca, Paths of Greece has implemented the first set of routes – 50km, 7 trails. These trails have been cleared and sign-posted, and will soon be presented through a website and an App for smartphones. For the moment, you can get a Map of Ithaca Trails here. For further information regarding this project on Ithaca, press here.

Tinos Trails

Tinos Trails

 

Tinos Trails, the official hiking network of Tinos island is a fact! 152 km of trails, planned according to the hiker needs, invite you to discover the nature and culture of this beautiful island of the Cyclades.

Tinos Trails is a project of the Municipality of Tinos, in co-operation with Paths of Greece, as well as the local population and tourism businesses.

The trails network aims at strengthening the tourism season before and after the summer months, bringing quality visitors, revealing the rich nature and geology of Tinos as well as its cultural assets, through old footpaths.

12 thematic routes invite the visitor to live a unique experience. The trails pass through all the picturesque villages of Tinos, they are looping, are interconnected and cover most of Tinos island.

The work that Paths of Greece undertook was related to the Tinos Trails planning, the way-marking and sign-posting, as well as the clearing of the routes. In addition, Paths of Greece created a website, leaflets, maps and performed promotional actions.

The first hikers have already appreciated much these trails! Tinos Trails will keep developing and in the following months it will have some surprises for all those who will decide to discover Tinos on foot!

For more information: www.tinostrails.gr

Apollo Trails

Apollo Trails

We have just inaugurated the Apollo Trails, a small but wonderful trail network on Mountainous Messinia (Peloponnese). The trails start at the village of Abeliona, and link the neighbouring settlements of Neda, Petra, Agios Sostis, Skliros, to the UNESCO Temple of Apollo Epicurius, the Temple of Pan, the springs of Neda, numerous stone-built thresholds, churches, stone bridges etc. Despite its relatively short length, it presents important changes in environment passing by chestnut tree forests, creeks with plane trees, old fields, vineyards, tall oaks and mountain peaks with great views.

Our work was to find the old footpaths that were “sleeping”under vegetation, to clear them, to sign-post them, and to help in their promotion. In our efforts we found great assistance by the hotel Abeliona Retreat, as well as from the inhabitants of Abeliona and the other villages. These trails are unexpectedly beautiful and are awaiting to unveil to the hikers the secrets of this mystic area.

Paths of Greece has developed these trails for the Hikers Friendly hotel Abeliona Retreat. To find out more about this project, click on our portfolio page here.

New waymarking in Monemvasia

New waymarking in Monemvasia

 

We have recently installed new trailhead signs in Monemvasia, from durable, 10-year guarantee boards. We have also way-marked a short trail that links to the Central Gate of the Lower City. The project has been completed with the collaboration of the Association Friends of the Castle of Monemvasia. For more information about this trail you can click here. For a map of the trail, you can click here.

Sign-posting on Sifnos

Sign-posting on Sifnos

Santa Claus has brought to Sifnos new trailhead signs! That was the las step to complete the sign-posting of the Sifnos Trails network. The boards used figure maps from Zoe Gozadinou, information about each trail and a few pictures. They aim at aspiring random people to start walking the trails and of course, to indicate each trails head. For more information you can click 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

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!

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