The Municipality of Soufli, as lead partner, is proceeding with the submission of a proposal to the Interreg Greece – Bulgaria Program 2021-2027 for the implementation of the pilot project “Sustainable – Fire-Resistant Tourist Trails in the Protected Areas of Thrace”. This is an innovative project that combines the development of alternative tourism with the prevention of natural disasters, making the Municipality of Soufli a pioneer at the national level.
The project envisages the creation of a network of hiking trails with a dual role: to function as fire protection zones and at the same time to enhance the attractiveness of the area as a tourist destination. The basic infrastructure will be implemented through the studies “Laying, marking and highlighting of paths and hiking routes” and “Maintenance and Reconstruction of a Day-use and Outdoor Recreation Area in the Girlisio Area of Soufli”.
The routes included in the project include the paths from Lake Tycherou to the Lefkimmi Forest, from Lake Tycherou to the Provatona – Mana Nerou dam, from Agios Tryfonas to the recreation area in Girlisio, a bypass to the Limni dam from the route to Girlisio and the path from Soufli – Metaxades road to the Giannoulis bridge
Cleaning, welcome and information signs, new signage, as well as technical recreational works, stopping points and plantings are planned for all the above routes.
The project is accompanied by complementary actions, such as proposal preparation costs, hiring a project manager, publicity and promotion actions, as well as a study for the improvement of fire zones and safety infrastructures, through an interconnected system of trails.
Partners in the project are: the Municipality of Mineralni Bani from Bulgaria, which will implement corresponding actions, the Natural Environment and Climate Change Organization (OFYPEKA), which will create a Center for Fire and Tourism and will contribute to the equipment of the trails, and the Development Authority of the Prefecture of Thessaloniki S.A., which will develop a digital virtual reality tool to highlight the routes.
The budget for the Municipality of Soufli section amounts to 439,900 euros. Upon its completion, the project aspires to become a model for the implementation of alternative tourism with environmental resilience, utilizing the protected areas of Thrace in a way that combines recreation with risk management.
