FOOTPATHS OF IKARIA ISLAND
We ’d like to announce that SAS organize a 4-days hiking – excursion, starting on Friday the 19th of October till Monday the 22nd, in the … seldom visited Ikaria, the island where the clock is … unknown to people, result of which is to wake up in the … afternoon and sleep in the morning !! a method to live a century … at least !!!
There, will take place three hikes : First on Saturday noon on Mt. Atheras, highest in the island, from Mavrato village to Karavostamo, a clear and wide path from where we’ll enjoy the endless panoramas in all directions, as well as the impressive ridge towards Mt. Melissa. Duration is 4 hours approximately and total distance to be covered is 8 km. Height difference is 340 m. ascent and 740 m. … descent !
Second hike on Sunday morning, it is obvious that we don’t follow locals’ itinerary …, on south side of Pounta peak from the tiny village of Vaoni to St. Dimitrios churh, that passes through the small villages of Tsapatato and Vardarades and offers spectacular views of the Aegean. Duration of this hike is also 4 hours approx. and height difference 580 m. ascent or … descent, we’ll decide there !!
Last hike, a short one, is on Monday … late morning either from Kampos village to the region of Raches where is the monastery of Theoktistis ( 2 hours ) or around the gorge of river Chalari, a natural reserve of grade importance with dense and varied vegetation ( 2,5 hours ), it depends from some factors.
All the above routes are in one way direction, so to go to the starting point and return to our base, moving by shared taxis is necessary ( 6 times ). Estimated cost per person for the taxi … we don’t know ! we guess 40 € approx.
Generally speaking the three hikes could be considered as easy !
Hiking boots are essential, a raincoat also and a head torch for any case as well as reliable equipment.
Analytical schedule and accurate meeting points will be announced later but as a possible departure from Piraeus is on Friday 07:35΄ and from Ikaria on Monday at 17:25΄.
All the bookings for the ship or air tickets as well as the overnights in Agios Kirikos or Evdilos town, or wherever you prefer, would be arranged by your own. It is obvious that everyone could extend or shorten this hiking excursion to whatever.
Suggested hotel or rooms to let in the island, in order to be concentrated in one place, will be given later. No reason to be in a hurry this period of time !
If you are interested in participating, please declare up to 13th of October 18:00 p.m. with your intension for the various transportation ways and duration of his stay. If somebody intends to carry his car and could serve us in the island, please declare also.
Due to the unpredictable changes of the ferries schedules, program is subject to change even 15 days prior to departure !
Leader will be Georgos Foteinos, e-mail geoplanf@otenet.gr Emergency phone 6945 386255.
Important notice : Keep in mind that if you participate in an Athens Strollers and Hikers walk or hike, you do so for your fun and your pleasure at one hand but entirely at your own risk at the other. The Athens Strollers and Hikers is an internet social club and neither the organizers nor the leader are responsible for the safety of those taking part. For more information about that please refer to the ‘ Declaration of Tyrol ’.
Difficulty grades
Easy walks : 1,5– 2 hrs and height differences up to 100 m
Medium walks : 2 – 3 hrs and height differences up to 200 m
Hard walks : 3 – 4 hrs and height differences up to 400 m
Easy hikes : 3 – 5 hrs and height differences up to 500 m
Medium hikes : 5 – 7 hrs and height differences up to 750 m
Hard hikes : 7 hrs and up and height differences 750 m and up
Invitation : Anyone who likes to lead a future walk or hike please announce to us by e-mail referring to the place and the time he intends to take over this activity.
Deletion : Anybody who doesn’t like to receive anymore the invitations about our activities for any reason, please declare us his desire !!
Wish you a wonderful hiking excursion !
Georgos and Anna