Overview

A long yet easy hike with a lot of variety. The first part is on tracks while the second alternates between paths and tracks passing through beautiful forest and meadows with nice views.

Description

Start walking on the main road to Arnaia and after 600m by a chapel veer right on a track over a stream to join the connecting road Palaiokastro-Arnaia. Cross it and continue on a broad track among rolling hills and fields for about 4km to reach Vatonia river. Cross it over a ford and turn left on a junction immediately after. After a few meters there is another junction where the old path continued but now quite overgrown. Continue on the road to rejoin the path on a saddle. Turn right on an indinstinct trail along the ridge marked with plastic ribons. Soon as you enter the forest the path becomes wide and clear and continues gently along the ridge until it joins the forest track on a saddle.  Continue straight on this road for 1.5km or better take a small path parallel to the road with more shade. After passing a farm emerge on the paved road coming from Paleochora.

After another 1.5km on this road veer right on a track down to the deeply shaded chapel of Agia Paraskevi. Cross the stream below the chapel and climb ahead on a rough track with switch-backs. Stay left on a junction to emerge again on the paved road. Turn left along the road but after 200m after crossing a gully turn right on steps continuing on a broad path along the gully. After passing by the shrine of “Panagouda” the path emerges on the main ridge of Holomontas at a triple junction.

Follow for a 50 meters the road signed to Taxiarchis, but then bear right across a meadow. As soon as you enter the forest continue on a narrow footpath emerging on a forest track (steep descent). Turn left on this track. After about 500m cross the paved road and continue on a rough track that after passing by a shed it descends more steeply to join the paved road at the entrance of Taxiarchis village by a garage.

Amenities

Taxiarchis offers a few lodging and dining facilities.

Signposting

None.

Transportation

Taxi to Poligiros or Agios Prodromos.