Hiking through Paros Park

Paros Park, a pioneer of its kind in the Cyclades, is a nature and culture park covering an 800-hectare peninsula near Naoussa with great geological and historical importance. The organisation behind it relies on donations and volunteering. The nature park welcomes visitors all year round for a variety of ecological and cultural activities, or simply for a hike on well-marked trails across the peninsula to the island’s northernmost point.

While staying at Tourkou Ammos beach during our boat trip through the Bay of Naoussa, I was already captivated by the peninsula’s rock formations – I definitely had to go there. So, the very next day, I set off on a hike to the windswept old Akrotiri Korakas lighthouse at the northernmost cape of Paros. There, a whole world of rugged and weathered rock formations, caves, hidden coves, and magnificent panoramas opened up to me.

The building of the whitewashed former lighthouse shines brilliantly bright against a deep blue sea in the midday sun. Behind it stretches a breathtaking panoramic view of the northern Aegean and nearby islands such as Mykonos, Delos, Tinos, and Naxos.

Among the rocks of the peninsula, you’ll find a form of vegetation known as phrygana. This is the term for plant life characterised by low bushes and shrubs, dominated here mainly by thorny, globe-shaped shrubs. The plants are well adapted to wind and drought and are protected against grazing by goats or sheep. Now in autumn, after the dry summer, they glow in shades of yellow, brown, grey, and orange, but in spring they shine green and full of blossoms again.

In the summer months, morning and afternoon walks in the cool air are recommended, as there is no shade on the paths in the heat of the day. In spring, autumn, or winter, any time of day is suitable for a trip. We reached the best view on a detour to the nameless summit of the inland mountain range, which was accessible via a well-marked and easy path. There, I also saw the only “tree” in this place: in the form of a yoga pose. I definitely have to come back to this spot for the evening light at sunset.

In addition to hikes, the nature park organisation regularly offers environmental, sporting, cultural, or other volunteer activities. The main venue in the park is the Archilochos Open-Air Theatre, which seats 700 people. The theatre was named after the great Parian poet of antiquity, Archilochos. Furthermore, the Paros Triathlon has been held in Paros Park for many consecutive years and has developed into a major sporting event and a permanent sporting institution for Paros.

After this bone-dry hike, we refreshed ourselves at Monastiri Beach with a dip in the sea and cool drinks to lounge music at the local beach bar, before driving back to Parikia for the rest of the evening.