|
Evaluation:
The two sites of the Mycenaean akropolis and the cape of Kórakas, with
its lighthouse and surrounded by “taffoni”-rocks (reminding you of
the exceptional Calanche de Piana in Corsica) are definitely worth a
visit.
This hike gives you the opportunity to enjoy some moments of peace and
loneliness, in this part of the island that is totally focussed on beach
tourism (the large number of concrete constructions are really a blot on
the bay of Plastirá). We recommend to make this hike off season, or
early in the morning, before the bathers and the surfers become active.
Off season, there is hardly anyone, and you only hear the murmuring of
the sea and the blowing of the wind in the rock cavities. This hike gets
an evaluation of **.
Estimated time:
You should count on 3h45 of actual walking time. Keep in mind that you
first have to follow the asphalt road for about 2 km in order to reach
the Mycenaean akropolis. Later on, there will be another 2 km of asphalt
to get to the cape and the lighthouse – unless you would rather
traverse the bush without any trail (see further).
Some advice: in summer you should take the first bus to Náoussa, in
order to have enough time to visit this nice little village. You should
then take the bus towards Parikiá and get off at the “Mycenaean
Akropolis” (a crossing of the roads of “Limnes” on the map of
Anavasi).
Route description: You have to ask the driver to let you off at
the “Mycenaean Akropolis”, about 1,5 km before Náoussa (or after,
if you have considered the advice given above). You then follow the road
for about 1,8 km and you take a left (the site is also signposted).
About 300 m further down you arrive underneath the site: you can walk
midst the large blocks and you can also try to find the rock in the
shape of a turtle. After you visit you go up, via a narrow path between
and over the rocks (there are also white arrows to show you which way to
go).
On top you can enjoy the great view on the bay of Náoussa. You should
also explore the continuation of the trail, by looking out for a
herder’s cabin with a roof made of metal plates, located in the
interior and to the left – later on you will pass that cabin. You
descend by taking the same route; once you get down you walk to the
right and you thus pass two massifs of taffoni-rocks. You now follow a
vague track, in the direction of the cabin, which leans against the
rocks.
A "taffoni"...
You walk through a
gate made of wood and you arrive at a large earth road. This road runs
to a couple of houses and a modest pigeon tower. Further down you notice
some more houses and pigeon towers. The road describes a bend and you
thus get to a small sign "no entry". |
|
You do not mind this sign
– or you can also pass along the back side of the wall, which is not
easy. In this way you arrive at a small farm yard, with a stone hut: you
walk around the hut, to the right (there is a small wall) and you then
follow a trail on a small and grassy platform – the trail goes in a
specific direction: towards a point on the left of the summit of the
Vígla.
You climb over two walls and in this way you get to a fairly large earth
road (on the map this is a yellow, bent line, with the indication
“1,9” km), above the Cape of Vorinó.
Shortly thereafter
you can distinguish the cape of Kórakas and the lighthouse, far away.
You obviously follow the road, which arrives at a factory (or a water
treatment plant?) – you are back in “civilization”...
Now, there are two possibilities: you can either follow the asphalt road
until you arrive at the bay of the monastery of Agios Ioánnis (2 km),
which is not very adventurous. Alternatively, you can walk on the right
of the buildings of the factory and then continue via cultivated
terraces and annoying iron gates; going towards the left you thus
approach the sea. Finally, after 20 minutes you reach the bay – along
the way you can enjoy a few panoramic views on the sea.
From the monastery you have to go towards the beach and then follow a
road on the left. On the right you then find the beginning of a trail.
You can also see a first green trail marker, in the shape of a foot.
Some advice: it is better to leave the trail at this sign (!); via a
vague track on the left you can get closer to the sea, by zigzagging
midst the marvellous taffoni-rocks. You then reach the trail again,
which you follow to the lighthouse.
Cape Kórakas.
It is very
pleasant to get lost in the labyrinth of rock formations, towards the
right and underneath the lighthouse. In this way you can really enjoy
the impressive rocks, moulded by all kinds of erosion
For
the return route you follow the same trails at first. At the crossing
you take a left in order to reach the cape of Almirós, via a sort of
pass situated between the altitudes of 84 m and 74 m – this trail and
also the altitudes are indicated on the map of Anávasi.
From the cape you have a very nice view on Náoussa.
From there on you can return to the monastery via the trail. You then
have to follow the asphalt road, and at the crossing you can catch the
bus back to Parikiá (you should thus write down the bus hours
beforehand!).
To
get a printer-
friendly version
with only the text
in one column,
click here.
|