Naxos, Greece, Aims To Attract More Trekkers To Extend Tourism Season

Portara, Naxos. Photo: Region of South Aegean

Aiming to extend the tourism season on Naxos, authorities on the Greek island are making efforts to attract more trekkers from all over the world to visit in the spring and autumn months.

A trail that leads to the ancient sanctuary of Demeter and Kore. Photo © naxos.gr

Currently, more than 120 km of walking trails on the island of Naxos are waiting to receive quality certification from the European Ramblers’ Association (ERA).

Behind the quality certification is a demanding criteria system that guarantees the visitor excellent walking pleasure on certified trails. For example, trails must always be kept clean and open and all must have clear signage.

According to reports, German instructors from ERA are expected to visit Naxos within the next year to observe the progress on the island’s walking trails.

The European Ramblers’ Association was founded in Germany and today comprises 50 ramblers’ organizations from 26 European states. These organizations have a total of over 5 million individual members.

Naxos has at least 16 recorded walking trails of cultural interest that give trekkers/visitors the opportunity to admire an environment of particular natural beauty and, at the same time, acquaint themselves with the island’s history and culture.

The trails offer direct access to ancient monuments, medieval towers, traditional farmsteads, monasteries, churches and chapels but also to water fonts and mills providing insight to various aspects of the life of the people of Naxos.

Today, over 50 percent of the walking trails on Naxos have the appropriate signage.

In Greece, the islands of Andros, Tinos, Kea, Amorgos, Folegandros and Donoussa have walking trails. Smaller networks are found on Ios and Santorini.

Overall, around 600 km on 20 of the 24 islands of the Cyclades have been identified as walking trails of cultural interest.