Overview

The section follows the long ridge connecting Hortiatis with Omvrianos mountains. The first rather uninteresting part until Livadi is followed by a quite interesting but strenuous part most of it on trails. There are some nice views along the way and the route is partly shaded.

Description

From Peristera a track ascends to a saddle with a small chapel. Turn right along the ridge among fields. A paved track to the right ascends to Profitis Ilias chapel with nice views of the valley of Vasilika. Continue along dirt roads traversing the ridge to eventually enter the oak forest. Pass a spring and finally descend to a saddle. Continue uphill on a well shaded track to the top of a hill and junction and go left  descending towards Livadi. If instead you wish to bypass Livali turn right here eventually joining the tarmac coming from Peristera and continue to Petrokerasa. Livadi is a small settlement with limited amenities but otherwise it is a good spot if you choose to camp.

From Livadi central square take the lane beside a taverna passing by the church of Agios Athanasios and then continue on a signed track and footpath soon climbining in oak forest. The path will bring you to a saddle from where you follow the ridge uphill for a while but then you should turn left (signs continue along the ridge to the top of the hill). Traverse forested slopes to emerge on a broad saddle and clearing. Follow a forestry track ending here to eventually join a dirt road. Cross the road and continue ahead on a fuzzy path through bushes and oak forest patches eventually descending to the stream ahead. Cross the stream and continue on a small but well signed trail to a saddle. Do not follow the trail descending steeply on the other side of the saddle (this is an enduro bike route) but instead follow a smaller path to the right traversing on the left side of the ridge. Eventually leave this trail and climb steeply to join the ridge again (and the Enduro route). Follow a small track along the ridge to emerge on the tarmac.  Continue left on the tarmac for 200m and by  a dry water tap bear right on a dirt road through forest all the way to the peak with a chapel. Now the route follows the ridge along a fuzzy animal trail towards a saddle visible ahead. Once on the saddle care is needed to find the path that turns steeply right descending towards the valley. The first section is steep and rocky. It then becomes more gently passing by the remains of a pen, and a small gully to join eventually a forest track. Follow the road to the outskirts of Galatista.

Amenities

There are shops, tavernas, pharmacy and medical facilities in Galatista. Since there is no accommodation, if you do not wish to camp here, take the bus to Thessaloniki or Poligiros/Arnea and come back the next morning. In Livadi there is a Taverna.

Signposting

Plastic ribons from Livadi to Galatista.

Transportation

Galatista is served rather frequently by the regional bus (KTEL) of Chalkidiki. There are two lines passing by Galatista. One is going to Poligiros and southern Chalkidiki and the other going to Agios Prodromos - Arnaia and northern, eastern Chalkidiki. (www.ktel-chalkidikis.gr). Livadi is served by an infrequent local bus service (www.oasth.gr). There is a local bus from Thessaloniki to Livadi.

Notes

Section from Livadi to Galatista was surveyed, cleared and signposted during Autumn and Winter 2018.