Ecology & Safety, Volume 10, 2016

Abstract: Recreational trail systems have been poorly developed in Greek protected areas. In recent years there is a surge of interest in riparian trails in upland valleys; this case study describes the aspects of development and management for such a trail on the northern slopes of Mount Oiti National Park in Central Greece. The purpose of the present research is to describe the strategy for developing the Farmakides trail and to highlight the biodiversity, landscape, geology, geomorphology and ancient history and mythology, of this area in order to propose improvements over the management and its sustainable ecotourism promotion. This case study expresses some of the prospects, problems and challenges involved in developing a trail system within a protected area in Greece.