Capes Kórakas and Almyrós

 
Evaluation: The peninsula of Détis, northwest of Náoussa, is a nature reserve, where there are some enjoyable trails to the lighthouse on Cape Kórakas and to Cape Almyrós. The trails are very clear, lined with stones and marked with countless numbers. Many combinations are possible and there are many blue flowers in spring. This quiet and pleasant walk deserves the appreciation **.
[The translation of this walk was made with some help of Google translate - so, do not mind the mistakes...]

Estimated time: The actual walking time (AWT) depends of course of the selected routes: we followed a route to the lighthouse at cape Kórakas (half an hour); we then proceeded while crossing the small peninsula until cape Almyrós (a little more than half an hour). We then returned along the coast up to our starting point (another 30 minutes). The AWT thus amounted to a total of 1h40, but we walked very quietly from 11.30am until 2.30pm, so a total time (TWT) of 3 hours, with a break-bathing on the beach of Toúrkou.

Route description: [From Náoussa you can drive by car following the road along the beautiful bay until beyond Kolymbíthres and until the end of the paved road. Just after the shipyard, there is a small parking lot.]
There is a board with a map of the trails in the nature reserve – its impressive name is  "Environmental and cultural park of Páros."

(0h00) The path [1] is very well marked and starts on the left side of  the parking lot. You arrive for a few moments above the sea, then the trail winds through spring flowers (11 May 2011) and arrives between rocks, where you veer left to cross a small bridge. You winds upwards and pass next to a beautiful taffoni; after about 12 minutes, you arrive near Alonáki, with a small theater that is virtually built around an alóni or threshing floor (hence the name: alonáki = small threshing floor).

(0h12) The path forks and you continue to follow the blue walk [1] to the left (sign): you arrive between rocks that are eroded by the wind and soon the lighthouse appears in front of you. A little further, you keep to the left and a little bit later to the right. Náoussa lies now in front of you, on the other side of the bay.

(0h20) You veer left again, you let the red walk [4] on the right and you continue now straight towards the lighthouse. Your trail always meanders between eroded rocks and then you get a beautiful view of the lighthouse. A little later, you take a left again - walk [2] continues to the right here – this is the spot where you will come back later on.
The climb is steep and you thus arrive at the bottom of the big lighthouse, built on the same model as the other Greek lighthouses dating from the late 19th century. (0h33)
This lighthouse indeed dates from 1887, but the big lamp is running on electricity only since 1986.

(0h33) You retrace your steps and after a little less than 6 minutes, you take the blue trail [2] on the left; after another 4 minutes, you continue walking straight on the red walk [5]. At the top of the pass, you enjoy a nice view over the bay of Náoussa, and a little later, you pass the red walk [7] on the left - it could lead you up to the top of the Stern (altitude of 84 m).

(0h46) You thus descend to the right, describing numerous bends, and you reach in this way a cross-path - you go left here, and shortly after, you continue straight on the blue walk [3]. You continue just above the sea, on a flat path, in the midst of a multitude of blue flowers. After 8 minutes, you see in front of you the beautiful beach of Toúrkou, but a sign sends you straight ahead to Almyrós. A few minutes later, you take the left path and you continue to the extreme tip of cape Almyrós - a beautiful spot.

(1h07) You go back for a few minutes, then you take a sharp left. You will now surround the whole barren peninsula, pursuing just above the sea and always with a beautiful view of Náoussa. After 5-6 minutes, you pass a sign announcing that one can see to the right where the Russian guns were placed, during the brief occupation by Russia of the Cyclades, in the years 1770-1774 - it is no more than a short visit, but you only can see two stone circles ...

(1h16) You continue straight on the main trail and a few minutes later, you reach the tip of the small peninsula of Akrotíri – here, you veer to the far right to begin the return. Soon, you see in front of you the beach of Toúrkou: you cross the beach - it is very nice to have a swim here! - and a path continues on the other side.

(1h25) You now follow the blue walk [3] again, a beautiful stretch of about 9 minutes, which still runs just above the sea and amidst blue flowers. You reach the bifurcation where a little while ago you came from the right, while following the red trail [5] - you continue straight of course. Your path is now rather wide and it is no longer lined with stones; you arrive near the cafeteria (with a small theater above) and you go down to the beach of Kathólikon. You follow the edge of the water, then you go up to the paved road and a little further, you keep to the left until you arrive at your starting point. (1h41)