The Region of Western Macedonia – Regional Unit of Kozani and the General Secretariat of Forests of the Ministry of Environment and Energy recently signed a Program Agreement for the development of alternative forms of tourism, through the creation of a network of walking trails in the area.
The project, with an estimated budget of 465,000 euros, aims to carry out forest recreation projects, protection and promotion of the natural environment in public forests and forest areas of the Municipalities of Voio and Eordeia in the Regional Unit of Kozani. Through the construction of 13 new trails, signage, soil improvement and paving renovation, the project will contribute to improving the aesthetic value of forest areas and creating recreational areas with gentle interventions in the environment.
The 13 trails to be constructed are spread throughout the area, covering different municipal units and distances. The Pentalofos Unit includes the “Pentalofos – Bania – Profitis Ilias” route, 16 kilometers long, while the Tsotyli and Pentalofos Units include the “Avgerinos – Vithos – Holy Trinity Monastery” trail, 10 kilometers long. In Neapoli, the “Skalochori – Skalochori Geopark – Geopark Perimeter Route” route is being created, 5.5 kilometers long.
In the Pentalofos Unit itself, the “Pentalofos – Roumani – Dilofo – Pentalofos” trail is also planned, 12 kilometers long, while in the Tsotyli Unit the long route “Avgerinos – Morphi – Chrysavgi – Giofyria” will be marked out, with a total length of 23 kilometers. In Siatista, the “Horsemen’s Trail” is planned, connecting Siatista with Panagia Mikrokastro and extending for 6 kilometers.
In Pentalofo, the demanding crossing of the Donti and Skopos mountains to Prophet Elias Zoupaniou (“Pentalofos – Vithos – Aelias”), 20 kilometers long, is also included. In the Pentalofos and Tsotyli Units, the route “The Journey of the Pramoritsa River” is planned, connecting Vithos with Agia Sotira, the Svoliani Bridge and Morphi, with a length of 15 kilometers.
In Vlasti, the short trail “Vlasti – Prophet Elias Recreation Area” will be created, with a length of 1.5 kilometers, while in the Vlasti and Askio Units, the route “Vlasti – Siniatsikos Peak”, with a length of 10 kilometers, is included. On the Askio side, the route “Namata – Siniatsikos Peak” with a length of 5.5 kilometers will also be created.
In the Mouriki Unit, the “Milochori – Krasatas Recreation Area – Mouriki” path is planned, with a total length of 9.5 kilometers, while in the Vlasti and Mouriki Units, the “Emporio – Vlasti – Mouriki – Emporio” path will be implemented, reaching 20.5 kilometers.
The individual actions include the opening of paths ranging in length from 1.5 to 23 kilometers in different areas, from Pentalofo to Siniatsiko, while small wooden structures and signage will be placed, which will enhance the number of visitors and the tourist development of the area.
The project is expected to enhance walking, sports and nature tourism in Kozani, encouraging the economic development of rural areas and the development of eco-agritourism. The benefit is expected to be multiple, as the area will increase its visitor numbers and extend the tourist season, offering new opportunities for tourist and local activities.
Finally, the project is part of the Operational Program “Western Macedonia 2021-2027” and is expected to contribute to the development of alternative forms of tourism, offering visitors new opportunities to contact the nature and cultural heritage of the region.
