In a few words:
«By law the maximum occupancy in the bus will be 65% of the available seats – Very Limited Number of Tickets» #hiking #safe
Join our friendly hiking team! 🙂
Join us on a journey of exploring the nature, history, culture and flavors of the beautiful and unique South Evia.
In an idyllic period, between the last warm days of summer and the first coolness of autumn, the last weekend of September (26-27 / 09), we sail to the green island of Evia.
Our main activities:
Hiking in Dimosaris Gorge:
Dimosaris Gorge is one of the best day hikes in Europe and a great choice for every nature lover, but also ideal for the ones with specialized interests: dozens of springs, waterfalls, ancient riparian forests and wildlife are constantly alternating and giving plenty of images to the passing hiker.
Our hiking path starts from Petrokanalo point (954 m.) on the north side of Mount Ochi and after 10 km ends at the Aegean Sea and specifically at Kallianou beach.
The gorge is divided into two parts, the upper and the lower gorge. The upper gorge, up to the deserted village of Lenosaioi, is wild, steep, with deep streams and rocky slopes, while descending to the sea it turns into a narrow valley with a softer surface.
Nature varies a lot along the path due to the difference in the height of the gorge. The higher, colder and wetter parts of the gorge have completely different vegetation from the lower parts that are warmer. The upper gorge is full of age-old plane trees, chestnuts, large oaks, arias, wildflowers and rare plants! In contrast to the lower one which has milder vegetation.
In the middle of the gorge is the famous place “Skala Lenosaion”. Here the landscape is magical with small waterfalls forming beautiful green and blue lakes, where we can swim in crystal clear waters.
The rich flora, here, is accompanied by rich fauna as we can meet turtles, salamanders and a variety of birds, such as owls, eagles, buzzards and nightingales. These birds have their nests in the inaccessible rocks of the gorge.
Last but not least, in many parts of the route we will walk in ancient cobbled streets, which are remnants of ancient medieval or older paths that connected the villages of South Evia.
It is undoubtedly the most beautiful and diverse gorge of Evia. Up to 2000 years old, this gorge boasts for being the oldest mountain trail on the island.
Hiking Duration: 6 hours, with stops for relaxation, swimming and depending on the rhythm of the group
Hiking Distance: 10 km
Altitude difference: + 500 meters / – 950 meters
Difficulty: 1+ to 2 (Low)
Hiking at the foothills of Mount Ochi, Red Castle & Ancient Columns:
At the foothills of Mount Ochi, north of Karystos, there is a traditional stone village named “Myloi” (meaning mills).
Myloi is crossed by a small river that descends from Ochi. The village owes its name to the many watermills that once existed along the river.
Starting from Myloi, we will hike to the historic Red Castle or Castello Rosso which was built by the Lombards in the early 13th century.
The path is full of oaks, oregano, wild lavender, oleanders and small wild olive trees.
Up the castle hill, we will admire the archeological site, the towers, the gates, the impressive outer wall of the castle but also the panoramic view to the city of Karystos and the sea.
Leaving behind us the castle and its stories, we will head to a new path, east of Myloi village, that leads to the Ancient Columns of Karystos, where about 10 Roman columns, perfectly processed, await their journey to Rome.
In the old times, at the site, there was an ancient quarry used for the construction of columns for buildings of Hellenistic and Roman times. Today, for an unknown reason 10 huge columns remained there, perhaps for us to go and admire their grandeur! 😉
Hiking Duration: 3 hours, with stops for rest and depending on the rhythm of the group
Hiking Distance: 7.5 km
Altitude difference: + 360 meters / – 250 meters
Difficulty Level: 1 (Low)
Guided tour & Wine tasting in the local estate Montofoli and its vineyards, during the harvest season:
The Montofoli estate is located in the Old Town of Karystos and has been a reference point in the area since antiquity. It is a declared archeological site and archeological findings from the estate are exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Karystos. From the time of the Frankish occupation it was the property of the current lord of the “Red” Castle (Castello Rosso) which like the estate is built on the hill of Montofoli.
Without a doubt, the Estate is located in the most privileged part of the city, as it enjoys a panoramic view of Karystos and its bay, while it is located in the center of the greenest part of the area, from which it takes its name (Montofoli: monte = hill, folio = vegetation (green)).
The owners of the property will welcome us and guide us to the vineyards during the harvest season, the cellars and of course the beautiful gardens and spaces with the preserved monuments from all phases of the turbulent history of the area.
The tour will end with a tasting of the sweet wine ‘Ktima Montofoli’ which is produced exclusively from the vineyards of the estate and from the excellent varieties Assyrtiko, Aidani, Athiri and Liatiko while it is traditionally vinified, the way sweet wines are made from antiquity. (After the grapes are sun-dried for 10 to 15 days to dehydrate, they are pressed and made into wine. The wine ages in oak barrels for 2 to 5 years before it is bottled.
What is included:
Saturday, September 26, 2020
07:00 Departure from Syntagma (+ Boarding from other points along the bus route)
08:30 – 09:30 Ferry from the port of Rafina to the port of Marmari (South Evia)
10:45 – 13:45 Hiking at the foothills of Mount Ochi, Red Castle & Ancient Columns of Karystos (3 hours)
14:00 – 16:00 Lunch in the village of Myloi
16:30 – 18:00 Guided tour at a local estate and vineyards & Wine tasting of a local sun-dried sweet wine with the appropriate accompaniments (dried fruits, dark chocolate, cheese, nuts, breadsticks)
18:15 – 20:00 Arrival & Arrangement at the hotel. Relax in the room or by the pool overlooking Karystos.
20:15 – 22:30 Free Time in the picturesque town of Karystos and Dinner
Sunday, September 27, 2020
07:00 – 7:45 Breakfast with local traditional products & Check out from the hotel
07:45 Departure for Petrokanalo – hiking start point
09:00 – 15:00 Hiking in Dimosaris Gorge ending at Kallianou Beach for a refreshing swim (6 hours)
16:15 Departure from Kallanou beach
17:00 – 19:00 Lunch in the village of Paradisi
19:00 Departure for the port of Marmari
20:00 – 21:00 Ferry from the port of Marmari to the the port of Rafina
21:15 Boarding the private bus and departure for Athens
22:30 Arrival at Syntagma (+ Disembarkation at other points along the bus route)
The final program may have small modifications in terms of hours.
Bus Starting Point: Syntagma – in front of Cosmote shop – 7:00
Possibility of boarding from other places (Katehaki, Agia Paraskevi, Rafina etc.) by arrangement.
This is the route that our bus will follow: http://bit.ly/busroute_southeviahike
Departure time from Athens: Saturday, 26/09/2020 07:00
Return time to Athens: Sunday, 27/09/2020 22:45
Requirements for participation:
Basic Equipment:
The program and activities may be modified or canceled in the event of severe weather or other technical factors that may occur and prevent the safety of participants.
Early Bird Ticket: € 129.99 until they sold out!!
Standard Ticket:€ 149.99 (until September 21, 2020 or until they sold out)
+ 15 € for accommodation in Single Room – Limited Number of Singles Rooms
How to Buy Tickets:
Purchase your tickets by bank transfer / deposit in one of our banks (Piraeus Bank or National Bank of Greece)
FILL the respective form at the bottom of the page or Please send as an email to info@swentravel.com to confirm you that there is availability and then to provide you with the bank details in order to proceed with the payment of the trip participation fee.
Contact one member of the SWEN Team: +30 694 3046027 / +30 698 7812823
Check our Facebook Event here.
Remember to check your e-mail!
All participants who have purchased a ticket, receive 2 days before the hike a detailed informative email for their proper preparation (weather, latest updates, etc.).
JOIN US! The time has come! Live the nature!
Limited Tickets
Fill the participation form here
After competing the form within few hours, you will receive an email informing you about the trip availability and the bank details where you can proceed with bank transfer/deposit in order to buy your ticket.