… we discovered the paths of today, as part of the environmental education project: "The exploration and mapping of walking routes on Kimolos" that was completed during the school year 2003-04 and was co-funded by the European Union (LIFE initiative), the Cyclades Prefecture and the Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Mediterranean monk seal (MOm).

Throughout the project, we sought information from written sources on the natural environment  and history of Kimolos and we invited some specialists, who have studied the region, to accompany us on our excursions and share with us their experience and knowledge. Studying maps and talking to the older people on the island, we found the most beautiful and best maintained walking routes, we walked them, we way-marked them and we marked them on the map with the use of a GPS satellite system.

At the same time, we drew up detailed directions for six routes, as well as short chapters on the geomorphology, geology, flora, fauna and history. The result of our work has been published in the guide "Walking on Kimolos and Polyaigos", with a view to making our island better known as an alternative tourism destination.

During the school year 2004-2005, we have continued our activities as part of the project “Actions for the promotion and development of the walking routes on Kimolos and Polyaigos”. We translated the guide in English and set up this website aiming at the sustainable tourism development of Kimolos. We also carried out a survey to find out the requirements of development of alternative tourism on the island. Finally, we became eco-tourists ourselves in a four day excursion in the National Forest of Parnitha, near Athens. This project was funded by the European Union as part of the Operational Programme for Education and Initial Vocational Training (EPEAEK II), along with income generated by the sale of the Greek edition of the guide.

Even if the paths recommended are generally maintained in good condition, a few  improvements  would be desirable, since at some points the paths have been damaged by the rain or overgrown with scrub. Also, our way-marking was amateur and because of the erosion of the rocks will not last long. Therefore, we honestly wish this guide will stimulate the local authorities to work on the development of these routes to attract walkers both from Greece and abroad.

Project 2003 - 2004

Editorial team: Vagelio R.,  Polyxeni M., Eleni M., Stella M., Marita R., Zafira G.

Cartography team : Giorgos V., Dimitris M., Marios B., Antonis G., Labros M.

Photography team: Nikos V., Vasilis R., Katerina V.

Other activities: Anna V., Giorgos V., Yannis V., Stelios V., Alexis V., Irene V., Domenikos M., Vagelio M, Themis M., Lefteris R., Vangelis M., Giorgos M., Giorgos P., Kostas P., Giorgos M. and Vasilis M.

Project 2004 - 2005

Translation team: Marita R., Stella M., Katerina V., Katerina V., Eleni M.

Social research team: Antonis G., Vaggelis M., Labros M., Kostas P.

Web site team: Marios M., Giorgos M., Vasilis M., Giorgos P.

Teacher in charge of the project: Anagnostopoulou Katerina, biologist

Participating teachers: Michelioudaki Emilia, English

                                         Papakonstadinou Nikos, Greek Language

                                         Kakiris Dimitris, Physical Education

Web site editor:              Sardis Giorgos, Computer Science