Overview

An adventurous hike across the Havrias river valley.

Description

The direct line between Megali Panagia and Arnea is interrupted by the deep gorge of Havrias river. The old route passed the river on the north close to the current paved road. Saying that, it will take you about 2 hours to reach Arnea following the main road. The proposed route is a patchwork of roads and trails that try to avoid the road making it much more interesting but also longer. The route is almost exclusively through forests and the crossing of Havrias ravine is very beautifull. Nevertheless, on the first half of the route the trail system is in disuse and there are several orientation difficulties which will make it impossible to follow it without a GPS track. Also the cumulative ascent is more than 600m.

From Megali Panagia square head north-east and about 100m to the right of the school look for a small path (bike downhill trail) through a patch of pine forest. Soon you join a track which you should follow on the right among fields to reach the ridge ahead and the huge road going to Skouries gold mines. Turn right and walk on the road for 500m to a saddle where you turn left on a dirt road and after 200m left again on a rough forest track downhill. When this starts to bend right stay left into the forest and look for the path (not easy to find). The path descends indistinct along a ridge and eventually crosses a stream. Continue along clearings close to the stream to find the path once again in the forest. The path ends by a shallow stream. Continue on the track ending here to join the paved road to Arnea.

Cross the road and continue on a track opposite. The road gradually deteriorates and after passing a few ruins it ends by the Havrias river. During summer or early autumn it is easy to cross the river (jumping from rock to rock). Otherwise 300m before look for a chapel visible on the other side of the river. Amazingly there is a footbridge going to the chapel that provides a convenient crossing point. From there you have to follow a very faint path along the river to join the main route. Once the river crossing is negotiated you start the ascent on a path by a small gully. There is an old track bearing to the left. This was build to bring water to Pelohori several decades ago and is now overgrown at places. So continue straight on a narrow but well trodden path. This will eventually join a better path coming from the right and descend on the gully ahead. Cross it and continue on a good but disused path on each other side through oak forests. You will pass two more streams. On the third one the path has been destroyed for a few meters by debris from a road construction a few meters above. Soon the path end on a ridge with a large meadow. You have to cross this towards the south to find a small track which will bring you to a larger track. From this point you can make a detour to visit the ruins of the Neposi byzantine castle build on a wild location above the river (see map). This requires a crossing of the river. Back on the track turn right and follow it for 4km along a beautiful wooded ravine to reach a saddle. Walk for another 2km through forest on a dirt track and paved road later on to finish in Arnea square.

Amenities

Arnea offers plenty of lodging and dining facilities, pharmacy, small hospital and shops.

Signposting

None.

Transportation

There is a regular bus service (KTEL) towards Thessaloniki and Ierissos (www.ktel-chalkidikis.gr)

Notes

There are orientation difficulties and thus use of GPS is highly recommended.