Overview

This is an easy and quite interesting route, with a good portion on footpaths through mixed pine and beech forests. It involves a gentle climb up to Tsakalina pass and then down to Nevrokopi village.

Description

Take the road out of the village towards Drama, pass the junction to Potamoi and where the road bends sharply left, turn right on a track along the valley opening ahead (junction unmarked). Pass a couple of animal farms and continue on the partly shaded track to reach a beautiful meadow. The pass we are aiming at is not the rocky one ahead but a wooded one more to the left. So veer left on a grassy track (unmarked) by the edge of the forest and just before this track goes into the pine forest again you should see a metal pole with E6 sign a few meters uphill. Take the path behind it, initially obscure but once in the forest much better and with sufficient signposting. After a few switchbacks you emerge on a saddle (Tsakalina pass, 1100m). A small path to the right goes to Agios Petros chapel and continues to Agio Pnevma peek with great views (2.5 there and back).

Continue on the other side of the pass gently thanks to large switchbacks. Join a forest road and follow it downhill for 250m, but then turn left along the footpath again (marked). Now the footpath is less distinct due to fallen branches so take care to spot the signposts that are relatively sparse. Once down a shallow gully and spring continue on a logging path, a bit overgrown but generally easy to pass. Finally, at a clearing, the path becomes broader and eventually emerges on a forest road. Turn right along this road to join the broad track that comes from Nevrokopi. Follow this for the next 4km along the broad valley to end at the village outskirts.

Amenities

A mountain resort thanks to the ski center, Volakas offers plenty of dining and lodging opportunities.

Signposting

Generally sufficient but sparse signposting.

Transportation

Take a taxi to Nevrokopi or walk to the road junction with Nevrokopi - Drama road (5 km). From there relatively frequent bus to Drama (Tel: 25230-22511)