South Pelion is famous for its beautiful beaches, picturesque villages and green landscapes. However, another reason why one should visit Pelion is the paths that cross historic villages, olive groves and many of them end up at beautiful coasts. On the map of the Pelion, some routes worth crossing in the area are recorded. Among the dozens of trails that cross South Pelion, doctor-hiker Kyriakos Stathakis recommends his favorite ones. Having walked on the mountain of the Centaurs for more than 15 years, he created a website walking in pelion which contains over 100 hiking routes.

Kala Nera – Pinakates – Vizitsa – Milies 12,5 km, 4hrs 45’

The route is circular and passes through the most beautiful villages of Pelion. The route starts from Kala Nera. Leaving the beach, the hiker heads towards the main road. There, next to a gas station, he meets a sign that leads to Pinakates. From there begins an uphill path that passes by the Church of Eisodia Theotokou and then ends at the settlement of Ogla. Continuing north, it crosses the train bridge above and ends up on an asphalt road. The path runs in many places parallel to the road and passes by the church of Agios Athanasios. Leaving the road to the left after Agios Athanasios, it continues in the direction of the mountain.He crosses another road and meets a bridge that crosses the Miliotiko river. After the stream, the first houses of the Pinakates appear, while the cobbled road leads to the main road. Turning right, it passes through the village. After crossing it on the left there is a path that leads to Vyzitsa. The path is more obscure than the others. Having crossed the stream of Vasiliki, the first houses of the village begin to appear. There it ends on the main road where, continuing straight on the cobblestones, it meets a sign that leads to Kala Nera. The path begins to descend with some forks in between, but they lead to Milees Station.Leaving the station, continue on the road and a path appears on the left. Following it, it crosses the last houses of the village to meet the Miliotiko river again. After passing it, it continues its course on an organized path that passes through olive trees. It ignores any intersection with a dirt road and continues in the direction of the sea. After a short walk, the first houses of Kala Nera begin to appear.

Lefokastro – Kalamos – Argalasti – Lefokastro 11,2km, 3hrs 50’

It is a circular route, part of which is on an asphalt road. Starting from the beach of Lefokastro, the hiker moves along the road that leads to Kalamos. In the middle of the route it meets an intersection that follows it and then leads to the beach of Agios Sostis. From there he follows the uphill road that eventually leads him to the stream of the Spiritual. There it intersects with a small road where you follow it to the left. It then turns into a path that leads to the bridge of Amoursa. Having crossed the bridge, a path starts that goes parallel to the stream and leads to the small church of Agia Paraskevi.After hiking on a path, the hiker arrives at Argalasti. Before reaching Argalasti there is an intersection that follows it to the right to end up on a wide cobblestone. Having crossed the stream of Pneumatiko for the second time, he ends up at intersections which he ignores, going straight ahead to meet the bridge of Rhodias in the stream of the same name. After hiking on a path, it intersects with the road that leads to Lefokastro and following it straight from the intersection ends up on an asphalt road. After a few kilometers there is a path on the left that follows it and ends in Lefokastro.

Xinovrisi – Potistika 4.5km, 1hr 20’

The route starts from the village of Xinovrysi and through cobblestones and olive groves ends at the beach. After leaving the central square of the village, he crosses the cobblestone road which leads to the last house of the village. From there begins a narrow path that takes a downhill course around the ravine. After a while it intersects with the second road that leads to Potistika from Xinovrysi. But he continues straight through a path that leads him to an intersection. Following a straight path, it ends up on a road that has a downhill course towards Potistika. After a short time of walking on a smooth road, he arrives at the beach

Milies – Aghios Nikolaos – Niaou (Afetes) – Afissos 12km, 4hrs

It is a beautiful route that crosses several ravines, villages and even a canyon. Having left the central square of Milia, the walk begins to the east on a cobblestone road that ends at the road that leads to Tsagarada. Continuing on a path, it ends at a stream which it crosses to reach a crossroads of paths . There he will follow a southerly course, ignoring the rest of the paths that exist on the right and left. Crossing the maidenhair forest, he reaches the church of Agios Nikolaos where there is a spring with water.There begins a downhill marked path that ends at a junction. Ignoring the intersection, he continues on the path until he meets Platanorema. There a stop is required to admire the pristine landscape with the running waters. Continuing beyond the stream, the path ends at a road leading to Zevrochia. From there it continues on a road until it reaches the road that connects Kala Nera (on the right) with Niaou [Afetes (on the left)].Further down there is a path on the right where following it ends up in Niau through the gorge. Going uphill, the first houses of the village begin to appear. Leaving Afetes, follow the downhill cobblestone which is signposted. The path passes through the Halorema Gorge which narrows in many places. This is one of the most beautiful routes in South Pelion. Following the stream, it meets an asphalt road that leads to the right towards Afisso. Walking along the road, the first houses of Afyssos begin to appear.

Promiri – Platanias – Mikro 7,4km, 2hrs 10’

This route starts from Promyri and most of it is next to verdant streams. Having left Promyri, he follows the road that leads to Lafkos and there he meets a gas station. A few meters further down a downhill path begins. Now the route takes place in a green landscape next to ravines. The cobblestone climbs in some places until the Rodia Site where it will begin to descend. The path intersects with the road that leads to Platanias. Continuing on the road on the right a road appears that leads to Agios Spyridon. But he will need to leave him to end up again on a path that will then intersect with another path that leads to the Monastery.
From there the hike continues on a well-marked trail. Following it, it ends at an Aqueduct and then at an intersection with the road that leads to Platanias. But he walks again on a path which in some places is not obvious. Of course, the entire course is conducted next to the ravine, thus providing easy orientation. After a short walk on a path, the hiker reaches the outskirts of Platanias where following the road ends at the beach of the village.
Walking along the coastal road ends at the end of the road that begins a path that reaches Mikros. From Platanias to Mikro, the entire hike is over the sea.

Lafkos – Aghios Spyridon Monastery – Platanias 7,2km, 2hrs 10’

Leaving the village of Laukos, the hiker follows the road to Promyri. After passing the first intersection that leads to Milina, continue straight and on the right you will meet an uphill cobblestone. The cobblestone leads to a dirt road. After a few minutes of walking, you cross a road that leads to Mikros on the right. But it continues to the left and after going downhill it meets on the left a path that, through the crossing of a ravine, ends up at the monastery of Agios Spyridon. The monastery is located in a verdant landscape. Leaving the monastery, follow the path at its entrance. Following the overgrown path, it ends in a ravine full of trees.Going uphill from there, there is an intersection that leads to Promyri on the left and Platanias on the right. The hiker turns right and now meets a well-marked path. From there, following it, it ends at an Aqueduct and then at an intersection with the road that leads to Platanias. But he walks again on a path which in some places is not obvious. Of course, the entire course is conducted next to the ravine, thus providing easy orientation. After a short walk on a path, the hiker reaches the outskirts of Platanias where following the road ends at the beach of the village.

Siki – Xinovrisi 6km, 2hrs

It is a short and relatively easy route that takes place through olive groves and plane trees. After the hiker crosses the village of Syki, he ends up on a rural road that leads him to an intersection. There you will meet the road that leads to Potoki beach. From there he will follow a cobblestone path where he ends up in an estate, from there he follows the path that leads him to Megalo stream. The route takes place in a beautiful sycamore forest. There he meets a bridge which he crosses to end up on a rural road. From there, a smooth uphill course begins and after crossing a small bridge of a ravine, it ends at the intersection that leads to Potistika beach. Then, it crosses the road to Xinovrysi.

Lafkos – Milina – Lafkos 6.5 km, 2hrs 30’

It is a circular route that passes ravines, overgrown cobblestones and churches. The route starts from the village of Milina. Following the southern course of the road leading to Trikeri, the hiker turns left on the road to Lafkos. This route is divided into two categories. It includes the one that crosses the Gla, i.e. the southern part, and the Monastiraki that crosses the northern part. From the area of ​​Gla, the ascent to Lafko is made. Crossing the road, the hiker meets a path on the left that leads back to the road to Lafko.This path intersects with the road three times. However, most of it crosses a cobblestone path through thick vegetation that ends in a tarmac road. Following the asphalt road, it leads to the village. Leaving Lafko we head through a wide cobblestone towards the sea. There it follows a descent that leads to Panagia Mesoporitissa. In the small church the hiker can rest while there is also a spring with water. Then it continues the hike on a path with dense vegetation and ends up on the asphalt road that leads to Lafko. After a few meters you will see the first houses of the village and further down the beach.

Ascent to Mount Tisaio 3,2km 2hrs

Having left Marathia, moving towards Trikeri, in the middle of the route there is the small church of Panagia. The small church is on a bend on the left side of the road to Trikeri. From there starts a marked path towards Tisaio. The hiker starts from the chapel of Panagia and after crossing a forest, he reaches a crossroads where the paths that go left to the top and right to Agia Kyriaki meet. After turning left, a rocky path begins that initially ends in a clearing on the ridge. Then it continues straight that ends at the highest point of Tisios, Evzonas with a height of 644 meters. At this point a stop is required for the beautiful view from the top

Crossing of Mountain Tissaion 16,5km, 6hrs

The hiker, after leaving the village of Agia Kyriaki heading towards Kottes, meets a path on his right. This path crosses the ridge of Tisaios. Starting from the trailhead, the ascent from the ridge quickly begins. The path is quite rocky so you need to be very careful when crossing it. He quickly reaches the top of Kastro while continuing straight ahead he meets antennas which he passes. The path at this point is quite unclear, however there are some red markings showing its course. After a few kilometers of walking, he will come across an intersection that leads to the church of Panagia on the left and to the road that connects Trikeri with Marathia. However, it continues straight on the rocky path that initially ends in a clearing on the ridge. Then it heads to the highest point of Tisios, Evzonas with a height of 644 meters. At this point a stop is required for the beautiful view from the top. At this point the forced descent begins as it takes place on unmarked rocky terrain.At the pass it will head to Floka and then descending the ridge it ends up on a wide path. Following the wide path there is a bend with view. From there it continues straight where it ends up in an olive grove. There you will meet an intersection where you continue straight to end up on an asphalt road. This road is the end of the route and leads to the Koukoulaika settlement from the left and to Mikro on the right.

 

 

Picture: Aghia Kiriaki Village by Victor Manolis (@victor_manolito)