Chios: Exploring a New 92-km Hiking Route

Trails that odor of oregano or resin wind by way of the mountains and plains of this distinctive island within the Northern Aegean, passing by Byzantine monasteries, outdated mines, deserted villages, and stone-built castle-villages to achieve seashores with crystal-clear waters. Due to an concept by the Associates of Chios’ Trails Affiliation, the North Aegean Area has cleared, signposted, and joined outdated trails right into a single community that spans from the mastic bushes and olive groves within the south to the wild magnificence, aircraft bushes, and flowing waters within the north.

The island’s major mountaineering axis begins on the picturesque port of Lithi to the southwest, one of many 24 mastic villages, and travels by way of many well-known and unknown sights earlier than ending on the Agiasmata Thermal Baths within the northwest. If 92 kilometers appears too lengthy, you’ll be able to select one of many eight smaller routes that comprise it. You may stroll to or from the historic monasteries of Nea Moni, Aghioi Pateres, and Moundon, go to the medieval villages of Anavatos and Avgonima, go by way of the outdated antimony mines of Keramos and see the deserted village of Palia Potamia, in addition to Volissos’ watermills and threshing flooring. 

For individuals who get pleasure from mountaineering, Chios presents an unofficial geopark that includes quite a lot of landscapes, quite a few distinctive landmarks, and an abundance of actions, corresponding to hydrotherapy, inhalation remedy, wine tasting, and birdwatching, which might be mixed with mountaineering primarily based in your pursuits.

Avgonima-Lithi; the outdated Ottoman street

The route that connects the pre-medieval village of Avgonima in central Chios to the sandy seashore of Lithi presents breathtaking views of the city of Chios and the Aegean. You may start your journey on this picturesque castle-village, full with conventional stone homes and cobblestone streets, and finish in Lithi for a swim or recent fish.

This 16-kilometer route passes by way of the Monastery of Aghioi Pateres and Nea Moni, an Eleventh-century monastery with exceptional mosaics and a UNESCO World Heritage web site. The path then continues alongside the outdated Nineteenth-century Ottoman stone street, which gives unobstructed views of the island’s western coast and results in the small port of Lithi. For those who don’t have a lot time, you’ll be able to stroll solely the ultimate part of the route, from the Fa space to Lithi. It’s a simple hike, lasting about an hour and a half, which at the moment of yr is aromatic with smells of oregano and sage.

Katavasi – Volissos; the trail of the watermills

Start at the chapel of Aghia Matrona in northwest Chios and observe the outdated path to the plush settlement of Katavasi and the village of Diefha. One kilometer additional north is the Monastery of Moundon of Aghios Ioannis Prodromos, which sits at an elevation of 300 metres on the slopes of Mount Pelinnaio, Chios’ highest mountain vary. The three-kilometer stroll to Panagia ton Neromylon (“Virgin of the Water Mills”) begins at this historic monastery, which served as a refuge throughout Ottoman rule. Right here, you’ll come throughout 4 outdated watermills, one in every of which is nicely preserved, and in lots of locations, you’ll observe the irrigation channel that introduced water from the Malagiotis River to the church of Aghios.

Subsequent, an outdated path will take you from this church with its spectacular crimson and white facade with stone columns to Volissos, the biggest village in northwest Chios. On the high of the settlement, which is constructed amphitheatrically on the location of the traditional metropolis of Volissos or Voliskos, the place Homer is claimed to have lived, you’ll be able to see the stays of a Byzantine fort. It’s also price buying bread from Mr. Aris’ conventional wooden oven. The reasonably tough route spans 11.9 kilometres.

Halandra – Agiasmata; the paths of mines and wine

Among the extra fascinating sections of the of the 92-kilometer community are discovered between Halandra and the coastal settlement of Agiasmata. You can begin your journey from this small village, constructed at an elevation of 455 metres, and descend to the ocean. 

From Halandra, observe the outdated path east in direction of the village of Keramos, the place you’ll come throughout the tunnels and deserted buildings of the antimony mines that have been as soon as within the space. Whenever you arrive in the village of Leptopoda, you’ll be able to cease at Embolo, a small, conventional self-service café. From Leptopoda, you descend to the Thermal Baths of Agiasmata, that are situated on the island’s northernmost level. You may benefit from the waters of the thermal spring (61°C), which gave the realm its identify.

Alternatively, journey northwest from Halandra to the villages of Afrodisia, Kourounia, and Egrigoros. Within the Sofos space, you’ll come throughout Ariousios, a small vineyard that has revived the manufacturing of the well-known historical Ariousios wine. It’s price attempting the distinctive Chiotic krassero native selection, in addition to different award-winning wines exported to quite a few international locations. Then, to achieve the Agiasmata thermal baths, take the downhill path that’s lined with wild asparagus, blooming lupins, and uncommon orchids at the moment of yr.

The Chios Regional Unit website gives detailed path data and interactive maps for the mountaineering community.