Mountains and Villages of Evia

Day 1: Start Athens; transfer to Rafina; ferry to Evia.

From Athens airport, we transfer by road to Rafina (approximately 35 min), and then take the ferry to Mamari on Evia Island (about 1hr). It is then a short drive to our hotel at Karystos.

Day 2: Walk through the ravine from Platanistos to the beach at Potami Bay.

We drive along the south-eastern tip of the island, over the mountains towards the Cape of Cavo Doro, heading to the beautiful ravine of Platanistos and the first of 20 ancient villages of Albanian descent. Over the arches of stone bridges, we follow the river towards Potami hamlet on the coast, a Hellinistic anchorage since Homeric times. En route we view the site of Hellinikon with the remains of the foundations of Poseidon's temple, dating back to the 8th century B.C. Walking amongst large plane trees we reach the sea and one of the nicest, yet still relatively unknown, beaches in the Aegean. During the warmer months of the year, we have the opportunity to swim and relax on the beach. We return to Karystos by taxi/coach.

Day 3: Walk through rolling hills and the Gourna villages, passing Roman Columns and visiting the Castello Rosso.

Our third day takes us up to the villages of Gourna that are scattered high above the bay of Karystos and below the peaks of Mount Ohi. Walking through verdant countryside along stone-worn paths next to springs and streams, we reach the monolithic marble columns in the Imperial Roman Quarries, perfectly completed and abandoned during Rome’s decline.  We continue to Castello Rosso, one of the grandest Forts of the 4th crusade, from where we can enjoy beautiful views of the Mediterranean. Using mountain goat-trails and country lanes we walk down to the fertile plain of Aetos, full of citrus, olive and cypress trees, before reaching the coast.

Walk: Distance 11 km Ascent 450 m Descent 450 m Max Altitude 500 m Time: 6 hours

Accommodation: Hotel Galaxy or similar

Standard Hotel

Day 4: Ascend Mount Kliosi and the Acropolis of Styra.

We start with an early morning drive along the panoramic mountain road to the North, known as the 'Eagle Route', which takes us above the evergreen valley of Styra. We then climb Mt Kliosi's dramatic summit where the remains of the ancient Acropolis defy time and elements on a 'Wuthering Heights' plateau. The Eerie ancient Gate, the cave of St Nicolas and the ruins of Castro Armeno, often in the mist, make this a visit to remember. The gentle walk down takes us past wild strawberry bushes and the remains of the Roman marble quarries to the quaint villages of Styra Valley, which overlook Marathon, just across the water on the Continent. In the afternoon we take the bus back to Karystos.

Day 5: Morning walk in the Bay of Marmari; afternoon free to relax on the beach or wander around Karystos.

This morning we drive to the village of Lycorema. We enjoy a coastal walk around the bay and visit the fishing hamlet of Marmari. The afternoon is free to relax on the beach or wander around Karystos, an authentic Greek island town.

 

 

Day 6: Transfer to Almyropotamus, spend time on the beach or in the waters of this caldera before walking to Panagia. 

Almyropotamus is around a 1-hour drive from our base, along the scenic Eagle route. Our walk today will begin at Argyro village built in the shape of an amphitheatre due to its position within the caldera of an extinct volcano, on the shores of what is now the lake of Dystos. The old path takes us down to the water’s edge, a spot described as one of the most spectacular on the Greek Islands in the book “Travels on Evia, an unknown Greek Island” by Sarah Wheeler.

We have enough time here, on the “Golden Beach” to swim or snorkel in the calm waters (September/October/November/April/MayJune) before setting off along the coast.

We stop at Panagia, a fishing hamlet where we visit the Church of St Mary, home to impressive frescoes and the backdrop to two magnificent olive trees that sit outside. Though a staggering 2,500 years old, they still produce olives, and are protected by law in the treaty of Ramsar.

In 2021 instead of the originally scheduled Almyropotamos Fjord walk, we will walk near Karystos. During our walk we will visit Byzantine churches, local springs and the villages of Kalyvia and Grabia, finishing on the beach for swimming.

Day 7: Gorge walk from Mt Ohi down to the rugged East Aegean coast.

Today we have a picturesque walk through the gorges to the rugged East Aegean coast. We travel by taxi/coach to Boublia on Mt Ohi, which is the starting point of one of the famous gorge walks to the east coast of Evia. The gorge is a unique habitat for flora and fauna with peonies and orchids, eagles and falcons amongst plane and chestnut trees. The ancient stone path leads us close to the dramatically exposed Aegean coast. 

Day 8: Morning ferry to Athens; end Athens.

After breakfast we transfer back to Athens where our adventure ends. Those on the group flights will be transferred to the airport for the flight to London.