Signage
Signage
Trail Signage
Trail Signage Design and Implementation Guidelines

Trail Signage

The signage for hiking and mountaineering trails is adequate, informative, bidirectional, and placed with the necessary density. It provides all the essential information about the mountain trail to visitors in both Greek and English. Different types of signage are used along the trails to serve various purposes:

  • Orientation of hikers (directional and location signs), ensuring visitor safety and allowing them to plan their route.
  • Providing information and education about the area.
  • Informing about basic rules of conduct.
  • Warning about potential hazards (cliffs, river crossings, etc.).

The signs are placed in visible locations at a height that allows them to be seen from a distance. The signage design features simple shapes for high visibility in nature while remaining discreet. The sizes are kept as small as possible for easy identification, even during nighttime hikes or in extreme weather conditions, with the use of reflective colors.

Trail Signage Design and Implementation Guidelines

In collaboration with the creative agency Role—Play, a signage system was developed with various adaptations depending on the scale of use and the specific needs they address:

  • General Trail Signage
  • Regional/Area Directional Signage
  • Point of Interest Directional Signage
  • Point of Interest Location Signage

Below, you can find detailed guidelines, design files for all signs, and the fonts used:

Σπανακάκι © Κώστας Λαγανάς
Useful information
Access

Car
From Athens: 218 km, 2.5 hours
From Kalamata: 98 km, 1 hour
The route follows the A6 (Attiki Odos), A8 (Elefsina-Corinth) and A7 (Corinth-Tripoli) highways, and then the A71 (Lefktro-Sparti) highway.

Bus
From Athens: 226 km, 3.5 hours
From Kalamata: 102 km, 1 hour
KTEL Lakonia operates several daily routes to and from Athens. These routes also serve the Sparta-Tripoli and Sparta-Corinth lines.

From the airport
From Eleftherios Venizelos – Athens Airport: 248 km, 2.5 hours
From Kalamata airport: 96 km, 1 hour
The road transition from Kalamata to Sparta takes about an hour. The route follows the A7 highway (Kalamata-Tripoli) and then the A71 highway (Lefktro-Sparti).

For road access to the paths of the present study, the following road network can be used:

The Sparti – Logastra provincial road
The Spartis – Kalamata highway
The national road Spartis – Mystras
The Spartis – Gytheio national road
The Spartis-Mystra provincial road
Amykles-Kalyvia Sochas street
Kalyvia Sochas – Sochas street
Mystra-Pikoulianika street
Mystras-Taygeti street
Taygeti – Pergandaika street
The Mystras-Vlahochori street
Agios Ioannis-Anavrytis street

In addition to the above paved roads, there are a number of existing forest and rural roads, mainly dirt, which allow access to the existing paths.

Accomodation

Η περιοχή προσφέρει μεγάλη ποικιλία χώρων διαμονής για όλα τα γούστα. Μπορείτε να βρείτε πέτρινα παραδοσιακά σπίτια και ξενώνες, μικρά ξενοδοχεία, resorts πολυτελείας και ενοικιαζόμενα δωμάτια, στο Μυστρά, Παρόρι, στα Πικουλιάνικα, στην Τρύπη, στην Αναβρύτη και στην Ταϋγέτη.

Για περισσότερες πληροφορίες: https://www.exploresparta.gr/tourism/diamoni/

Gastronomy

From the main local products of the Spartan land the following stand out: olives of the “Kalamon” variety & virgin olive oil, oranges, honey, wine with the typical Kydonitsa, Mavroudi, Roditis, Athiri and Agiorgitiko varieties, synglino, sausage, pasta, trout and salmon.

Some of the most typical traditional dishes that you can look for on your trip are: Bouzopoula, Kokoras bardouniotikos, Pitaroudes, Kayanas, Kolokythokorphades.

More info at exploresparta.gr

Suggested equipment

Hiking boots, hat, sunscreen, long pants, water at least 1.5 liters, food, compass, whistle, flashlight, knife or multi-tool, watch and baton. In winter, windproof jacket, waterproof and isothermal clothes.

We also suggest that you never walk alone and always have a first aid kit with you. A well-charged mobile phone will come in handy in difficult situations.

Seasonal hiking

You can hike all year round, except in the winter months when snow may close some paths. Spring and autumn are considered the best seasons thanks to mild temperatures and colourful nature. Due to the altitude, the air can be strong and icy. In summer (July, August) it may be hot enough to walk.

Hiking behaviour

It is important toBefore every hike we are informed about the weather conditions.
We do not stray from the boundaries of the path.
We use fireplaces and avoid fires.
We don’t leave trash. On the path we collect rubbish that may have been left by others.
We do not destroy the vegetation, we respect the historical monuments and the local populations.
We respect wild animals and do not feed them.

Source: trailpath.gr

Wild animals

In the past, there were large mammals that today have disappeared such as bears, deer, roe deer, wolves and even the lynx. Today, 19 mammals have been observed in the mountain fauna, including the fox, badger, ferret, hare and hedgehog. Wildcat and jackal have also been reported although the population status of these species is not well documented. The only large mammal that is often seen is the wild boar.

In the event of the appearance of snakes, as a preventive measure, the hiker can be careful where he steps and where he puts his hands. If you encounter a snake, stay calm and keep a distance of at least two to three meters without disturbing it. In the event that you are bitten by a snake, stay calm, call 166 or 112 and take no action at all, except go to the health center with the help of an attendant. We recommend that you never walk alone.

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