Náoussa - Mycenaean akropolis - monastery of Agios Ioánnis - cape Kórakas and back

 

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.  

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. 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!).