• Objective 1

    amplify the voice of rural areas to bring them higher on the political agenda
Description

Amarantos Footpaths Initiative – Reviving Historic Trails and Rural Heritage

The Amarantos Footpaths Initiative is an ongoing project led by Vrontalida in Amarantos, a remote mountain village in Epirus, northwestern Greece, with only a handful of permanent residents.

For generations, historic footpaths connected Amarantos with neighbouring villages and communities. Before roads reached these remote settlements, these paths were essential to everyday life. Over time, many became overgrown and abandoned, putting an important part of the region's cultural heritage at risk of disappearing.

The initiative aims to restore and preserve this historic network of footpaths, reconnect neighbouring mountain communities and create opportunities for responsible, low-impact tourism that can benefit the local economy.

Work has already begun, with several trail sections cleared of vegetation and previously hidden traditional stonework uncovered. The project combines practical restoration work with ongoing documentation of historic routes and their cultural significance.

The next stages of the initiative include:

  • Continuing the clearing and restoration of abandoned footpaths, prioritising historically significant routes connecting Amarantos with neighbouring villages.
  • Preserving and highlighting traditional stone-paved sections and other historic features along the trails.
  • Documenting and mapping restored routes to support their future use by hikers.
  • Developing a connected network of village-to-village hiking routes that encourages longer stays and supports small local businesses.
  • Raising awareness of the area's natural and cultural heritage and encouraging local participation in its preservation.

The broader vision is to demonstrate how restoring forgotten footpaths can contribute to the long-term vitality of remote rural communities. By protecting existing heritage rather than creating large-scale tourism infrastructure, the initiative seeks to offer a sustainable way for visitors to discover the region while respecting its landscape, history and local character.

Themes
  • Nature and environment
  • Tourism and heritage
    • Stakeholder beneficiary(ies)
    • Citizen
    • Private Business
    Activities
    • Local Projects
    Expected Outcomes

    Milestones:

    • Initial clearing and restoration of abandoned footpath sections, with historic stonework already uncovered.
    • Continued restoration of historic routes connecting Amarantos with neighbouring villages.
    • Documentation and mapping of the restored footpaths.
    • Gradual development of a connected network of village-to-village hiking routes.

    Expected outcomes:

    • Preservation of historic footpaths and traditional stonework as part of the region's cultural heritage.
    • Reconnection of remote mountain villages through walkable historic routes.
    • New opportunities for responsible hiking tourism and potential economic benefits for small local businesses.
    • Increased awareness of the area's natural and cultural heritage, encouraging its long-term preservation.

    Organisation/Company information

    Vrontalida

    Private Business
    • 1-10
    • Local
    TOPICS OF INTEREST
    Bioeconomy & circular economy
    Status
    Ongoing
    Funding
    Action's fund
    Private funding
    Budget
    Estimated budget
    EUR 18 000.00
    Planned additional investment
    Personal and volunteer labour, local knowledge, trail-clearing equipment, GPS mapping tools and photographic documentation.
    Further details
    Scope of action
    Local
    Beneficiary country
    Greece
    Type of territories
    Remote rural area, Mountainous area

    Results

    Key results

    • Number of people
      100
    • Number of jobs
      0
    • Number of projects
      1

    Final results

    The initiative is expected to result in a restored and documented network of historic footpaths connecting Amarantos with neighbouring mountain villages, preserving an important part of the region's cultural heritage.

    These routes will provide new opportunities for village-to-village hiking, encouraging visitors to explore lesser-known areas of Epirus and potentially supporting local guesthouses, and other small businesses.

    The project is also expected to generate economic activity during its implementation through the involvement of local professionals and specialised collaborators.

    In the longer term, the initiative aims to contribute to the revitalisation of remote mountain communities by demonstrating how the preservation of historic footpaths and responsible tourism can support local livelihoods while protecting the area's natural and cultural identity.