Sifnos Trails

Sifnos is an island of the Aegean Sea, in Greece. It is part of the Cyclades and it lies between Serifos, Kimolos and Paros islands. Its total size is 74 sq km, and its coastline is 76 km long. The highest point of the island is Profitis Ilias, at 682 m above sea level.

Sifnos has a varied landscape for its size. Three main types of landscape can be found: a) Inhabited areas with beautiful “blue and white” traditional villages, b) cultivated lands, where terraced slopes with olive groves prevail, and c) wild areas where the Mediterranean maquis and juniper forests are dominant.

The best way to explore the island is certainly on foot, taking advantage of the numerous trails. Easy to walk for the largest amount of them, they offer the opportunity to the hiker to deeply explore and enjoy the aforementioned landscapes, to get in touch with local culture and the famously friendly local society.

Sifnos Trails is the name of the hiking trails network of the island of Sifnos island. The total length of the network exceeds 100 km and is divided into 19 beautiful trails. The project is being managed by the Municipality of Sifnos, in cooperation with the organization Paths of Greece.

The difficulty level of each trail has been calculated on a 5-level scale, using the “IBP index” system of the Federation Francaise de Randonnee Pedestre. For more information click here.

Besides the information signs and the maps located in the villages, you will also find signs at the starting point of every path, at crossroads and wherever else they are required (see photos). At the top of the sign columns there are red and white lines, while on the signs you can find basic information regarding each path (path number, destination, duration, length). All along the paths you will find international signs in red and white, showing that you are still following the correct path.

In Sifnos, you can hike all year round. Spring and Autumn are considered to be the best seasons to hike due to the mild temperatures and the vivid colors of the land and vegetation. In winter it is also possible to hike, but you should expect a few showers, strong and cold winds and muddy trails. In summer (July, August) it is too hot to walk. However, if you try it, avoid walking between 12pm to 4pm.

Equipment
Hiking boots, hat, sunscreen, long trousers, walking poles are considered essential. It is also advisable not to walk alone and to always keep with you a first aid kit. A torch, and a well charged mobile phone are also advisable.

Maps
You can buy excellent hiking maps on Sifnos that show accurately all hiking trails. For the large signs presenting the network of Sifnos, we used the map of Anavasi Editions (edition 2015).

Dangerous wildlife
Incidents with wildlife are relatively rare in Sifnos. The only dangerous species that you might encounter are vipers. The vipers are endangered species and are protected in Sifnos. In spring, summer and fall, you should be careful while walking. In case you encounter a snake, stay calm and take a long detour around it to continue. You should absolutely not try to scare it. In case you get bitten, stay as calm as possible and, with someone’s help, go directly to the medical center. It is strongly advisable that you never walk alone!

Walking ethics

• Take only memories, leave only footprints! Ants and other insects or animals have not yet discovered how to consume plastic. Take all rubbish back with you.
• Don’t start a fire if you feel cold! Try to walk faster!
• Smoking on the trail will not help in anything! Nor you, nor the risk of fire!
• Local people are not a tourist sight! If you want to take a picture, kindly ask. They will certainly smile to you!
• If you find a door on the trail, pass freely, and leave it as you found it!
• Stay on the trail. There is a reason why for many centuries people chose to walk on them and not elsewhere!

The hikers now have all the necessary information (duration, direction, connection to other paths, bus stop location etc.) to enjoy their hiking trail without any stress, even if their hiking experience is short or non-existent.

Therefore, Sifnos now has one of the most updated path networks all over Europe and those who have already explored it are exited.

Sifnos is the first Greek island that has acquired an application – guide in three languages (Greek, English and French) for the trails. Once you download the application, you don’t need internet connection. Download the App from here

For detailed information about the trails of Sifnos island visit sifnostrails.com

Watch a promotion video of Sifnos Trails on YouTube:

Trails Overview

Location of Sifnos island in Greece