Status Update_Pindus Trail_Delphi – Artotina 2026
The Friends of the Trail keep the flame alive and help advance the mapping research at sections of the route that remain unclear, as well as the restoration and waymarking work on the trails selected for the crossing line within the boundaries of Phocis, connecting Amfissa with Giona and Vardousia.
At this time, among other things, with their support, we are preparing for this year’s demanding program, having once again secured from both long-standing and new partners–donors a portion of the resources required for technical support and a series of field expeditions.
The next steps, all going well, will bring us to the final stage of corridor improvements and signage on 70 out of the 88 kilometers that make up the 6 licensed daily sections, from Delphi on the foothills of Mount Parnassus to Artotina west of the Vardousia mountains.
The following sections of the approved 2021 study have bidirectional route marking for the most part, while this year’s goal is to complete the accessibility standards, as well as the signage, by adding location and direction signs along the multi-day route, and informational maps at rest points (central square of Amfissa, village squares, and mountain shelters).
Licensed daily crossing sections – status:
- Delphi – Monastery of Prophet Elias – Amfissa: 18 km – pending due to the Monastery’s refusal to allow passage.*
- Amfissa – Prosilio – Viniani: 17 km / 85% completion – fully waymarked.
- Viniani – Reka – Giona Refuge (P.O.A.): 12 km / 80% completion – fully waymarked.
- Giona Refuge (P.O.A.) – Sykia: 12 km / 80% completion – fully waymarked.
- Sykia – Kato Mousounitsa – Athanasios Diakos: 11 km / 75% completion – fully waymarked.
- Athanasios Diakos – Vardousia Refuges – Artotina: 18 km / 60% completion – marking in the alpine zone is pending.
Continuing to insist that when volunteerism is combined with knowledge and responsibility, the result cannot be matched by any overpriced fast-track contracting, those interested in helping in the coming period (April–July) will find us working on sections 5 and 6 across Mornos and Vardousia. In autumn (September and October), we plan to focus on improvements in sections 3 and 4 along the Giona crossing line. Some improvements will also take place just outside the town of Amfissa on the ascent route toward Krya Vrysi, heading to Prosilio.
From Artotina northwards, you will find open (pre-marked) the section leading to the village of Grammeni Oxia and from there to the Oxia refuge, where the route continues toward Sarantena – Karpenisi.
Details regarding the current condition of the rest of the Pindus Trail route, descriptions, and final GPS files will soon be available on the official website, which is under completion and will replace all previous platforms.
Since 2016, more than 300 km have become passable along the branching Pindus crossing route, and the effort continues with the aim of maturing the forestry studies for their full restoration—so that they may emerge from obscurity, be preserved over time, and once again prove their value as a premier long-distance route across the entire Pindus mountain range.
*The issue of the Prophet Elias Monastery, which despite the trail preparations and the positive opinion of the competent authorities on the completed study, refuses to connect Delphi with Amfissa, has concerned us greatly. We may provide an update in the future, once we understand the reasons ourselves.
